Carleigh Reif, Kari Surprenant, Christen Cunningham, and Christiana Ostrem started Fall-O-Ween in 2020 to bring a small-scale fall festival to Centerville to encourage families to gather and enjoy fall fun in the heart of downtown.
While it started with the vision of being a small-scale event, it became anything but. The town of around 1,000 nearly tripled in 2024 with roughly 3,500 attendees. It soon became known for its “Hallmark town” vibes.
“There’s a welcoming energy you just can’t fake.”
Carleigh Reif
“Between the twinkle lights, the cozy fall décor, and the sense of community buzzing downtown, it truly feels like a movie set come to life,” said Reif.
Because of its popularity and growth, Fall-O-Ween became a two-day event starting in 2025, giving patrons more opportunity to experience the autumn tradition.
The event covers five blocks of town and has a variety of food trucks, over 45 vendors, and a competitive car show. Kory Muller, coach of the Centerville Boys Basketball Team, puts on the auto show that’s open to all car, truck, tractor, or motorcycle enthusiasts.
“Basically, if you ride it, drive it, show it or shine it, you’re welcome to join,” said Reif. “We’ve had up to 60 participants, and it draws a great crowd every year.”
Fall-O-Ween is also known for a plethora of kids activities, like bouncy houses, a petting zoo, and games.
“We have the barrel train, corn pits, bounce houses, a virtual reality truck, face painting, and of course, the hayride,” said Reif. “It’s the kind of fun that kids will talk about for weeks after.”
“It’s a mix of everything—fun, food, and family memories.”
Carleigh Reif
A fan favorite is kids’ karaoke. Children can be heard “singing their hearts out” with hits like Firework by Katy Perry. Reif says one of her favorite memories is a little girl belting Frozen’s Let It Go with a Snow Queen performer joining her on stage.
“The little girl’s face just lit up—it was pure magic,” she recalled.
When night falls, live music begins and the hauntings start to happen. Centerville typically hosts a spooky haunted house, but took a break in 2025. Reif says the Centerville Festival Planning Committee hopes to bring it back in 2026 with new volunteers.
The committee consists of 15 members who are “the heart of the event.” Planning begins almost immediately after the previous festival ends. The group and nonprofit relies heavily on donations from local businesses and individuals, sponsorships, décor, or manpower.
It’s this type of comradery that Reif says makes Centerville special.
“The culture here is unlike anywhere else. Everyone is proud to be from Centerville and proud of our community,” she said. “We’re a small town of about 1,000 people, but we have big hearts and a big spirit.
I grew up here and had the best childhood, which is why I chose to raise my own family and run my businesses here.”
Harvest
Looking for a move? Centerville has a new housing development, Harvest Pointe, with lots available.
Fall-O-Ween is just one part of the town’s genuine hospitality.
“It’s everything South Dakota’s small towns represent—community, creativity, and heart,” said Reif. “It’s family-friendly, beautifully decorated, and full of genuine small-town pride. Every year we see new faces and familiar ones return, and everyone leaves with a smile.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT CENTERVILLESD.COM+
