Siouxland Families

On January 1st, 2022, state parks across the nation will be hosting their annual "First Day Hikes" to encourage people to start their year off well! One special note for this year is that it is supposed to be extremely cold--dangerously so--in Siouxland on January 1st and it is essential if you plan to go out that you gear up appropriately.

Watch out Nashville...the Midwest knows how to do a country Christmas right too, with Sara Evans leading the way! The multi-platinum artist from Missouri is known for her five (non-festive) #1 hits on the country charts and for being one of the most played female artists on country radio stations throughout the 2000s and 2010s, but oooh can she sing Christmas too! And she's bringing her spectacular Blue Christmas  concert to Sioux City in December 2021. Here's what you should know about the concert, plus read to the end for info on how to win tickets courtesy of the Sioux City Orpheum Theatre! What to expect at the Sara Evans Christmas Concert Country powerhouse Sara Evans brings Christmas joy to the Orpheum, with Christmas carols, holiday pop favorites, and originals. (Set list varies but check out her full "At Christmas" playlist on YouTube for an idea of what to expect!) Her impressive energy, versatility, and vocal range lets her shine on rockin' hits lik...

Did you know that Sioux City gets an average of over 30 inches of snow each year? Add to that our low winter temperatures and high winds, and we know that the question for Siouxland residents isn't whether we will have any serious winter storms, but just when they will happen and how severe they'll be... and whether we will be prepared. Here are my top 6 tips for Siouxland Families wanting to stay prepared for winter storms, with more explanation of each, along with some fun things I found at Bomgaars that could help!  *This post included a reader giveaway from Bomgaars in 2017 when first written. That giveaway is no longer open, and I personally received no compensation from Bomgaars. Post now updated for 2021 as some links were not working properly anymore! *

*Sponsored Post: I received no compensation for this post, but Feld Production is generously giving one Siouxland Families reader a 4-pack of tickets to the show! Giveaway details at end of post* Mickey Mouse welcomes all to Disney on Ice! Photo used with permission from Feld Entertainment Disney on Ice is celebrating their 40th birthday in 2021, and they have several great productions touring nationally, including their  Let's Celebrate  show which will be in Sioux Falls, South Dakota this December! Here's what parents should know about Disney on Ice in Sioux Falls (and read to the end for info on how to WIN free tickets for your family!!): What is Disney on Ice? Disney on Ice is a live production featuring favorite Disney characters and songs from different shows and movies, but instead of traditional dancing, almost the entire production is performed on ice skates by some amazingly talented skaters.  Here's a look at 40 years of Disney on Ice. The hair...

It's time for National Museum Day! If you love museums, you won't want to miss out on this fun opportunity to find a new favorite, or check out a museum you've been curious about but deterred from visiting by the admission fees! Here's how: What is Museum Day? On Museum Day, museums across the nation celebrate history and learning by offering free admission through tickets available on the Museum Day website! National Museum Day is organized by the Smithsonian Museum. When is Museum Day? Museum Day 2021 is on Saturday, September 18th, 2021. Most participating museums will have normal hours for a Saturday in fall on that day, but check with the specific venue you're visiting for the best info! What Museums are participating in Museum Day 2019? You can find the full list of participating museums on the Smithsonian Museum Day website, but some of the museums within a few hours of Sioux City who are offering free admission on Museum Day 2021 but aren...

Did you know Ponca, Nebraska hosts the Midwest's biggest outdoor expo? This September you could be one of the 50k+ people who visit Siouxland's Ponca State Park to take part in the 90+ activities available! When is the Missouri River Outdoor Expo? The expo happens every September, usually the third weekend. Saturday and Sunday are open to the public, while Friday is dedicated to school field trips. The 2021 expo is on Saturday and Sunday September 18th and 19th, from 9am to 5pm, with school day happening Friday, September 17th, 2021.  Where is the Missouri River Outdoor Expo? The Missouri River Outdoor Expo takes place at Ponca State Park in Ponca, Nebraska. The park is about 25 miles or 32 minute drive from downtown Sioux City. There is ample free parking at Ponca State Park, and admission to the Expo itself is free, but like all Nebraska State Parks, a valid park entry pass is required and is not free. Daily passes ($6 per vehicle for N...

I love outdoor art, from sculptures to murals and even colorful graffiti, and there's a surprising amount in the Siouxland area! If you can't resist posing in front of a trendy mural, love digging into the history of an old store logo, are inspired by statues that draw your eyes to the skies, and smile when you see funky spray paint designs in a surprising place, here's where to look in Sioux City, Sioux Falls, and other Siouxland communities:   Outdoor Art in Sioux City  Trinity Heights Trinity Heights on Sioux City's North Side showcases a wide variety of Catholic religious art, including 30-foot tall statues of Mary and Jesus made of steel by artist Dale Lamphere (who also created Dignity of Earth and Sky in Chamberlain, SD.) For more information, check out my post about visiting Trinity Heights . Downtown Sculpture Series The Sioux City Art Center has a large collection of outdoor sculptures, and while some are on display on the museum grounds, many others are place...

Late summer in the midwest can mean high temps and high humidity, and those are the perfect conditions for some intense storms! While we can't control nature, there are some things we can do to help keep our families safe in a storm. I got to chat a bit with Ashley Ware, an insurance expert with 17 years of experience, who is now the CFO of  $ Aware , a claims consulting business in the Kansas City metro area. She's also a proud mother of 3, and Ashley and her husband have spent many storms in the basement with their own kids. Based on her advice and some other tips from around the web, here's how parents can plan for those thunderstorms that tend to come with high winds, and sometimes hail and even tornadic activity: Stay informed Watch for storm predictions from local weather. While many storms fizzle out or aren't a big deal, keep an eye for the ones that look like they are likely to be big problems so you aren't caught by surprise. Some of the best resources for...

One of the fun things I've discovered in the past two years is how many Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota attractions, agencies, and businesses have free printable worksheets, activity sheets, coloring sheets, or other fun for kids on their websites! These fun printables are great for any kid, including kids who are homeschooling, planning a trip to one of these sites, to supplement learning in school, or just to color and complete for fun! So here are some of the best I've found, and I'll update this post as I find more:  Lots of free printable activity sheets from the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center & Betty Strong Encounter Center featuring information about the Corps of Discovery and Lewis & Clark Expedition. Loess Hills Coloring Book from the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway Railroad Activity Book from the Iowa DOT includes dot-to-dot, word scramble, crossword puzzle, coloring pages, and more. Word searches and farm animal coloring sheets from Living ...

**This post now updated to reflect 2023 information** Scarecrow Farm in Lawton, Iowa is hosting their annual Sunflower Days (Previously called Sunflower Festival) this September! Here's the scoop on how Siouxland area families and visitors can enjoy this fun event: When is Sunflower Days? Sunflower Days 2024 will be held on weekends in September including: September 7th & 8th September 14th &15th September 21st & 22nd Where is Sunflower Days? Sunflower Days is held at Scarecrow Farm at 1592 Charles Avenue in Lawton, Iowa, about 10 minutes past the Sioux City Menards on Highway 20. There is ample free parking at Scarecrow Farm. What can you do at Sunflower Days? At Sunflower Days at Scarecrow Farm, there will be a wide variety of fun, including: Lots of sunflowers! The center circle of Scarecrow Farm where pumpkins ready to buy are placed during pumpkin season has been taken over as a sunflower field, plus there are several more acres of sunflowers ...

 Sioux City is notorious as the place of death of the only member of the Corps of Discovery--Sgt. Charles Floyd-- and to commemorate the occasion, the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center has long held various events on the anniversary of his death, such as reenactments and a memorial encampment. But beginning in 2021, the center is upping their game and having an entire week of events, now known as Sgt. Floyd Week! William Clark with Meriweather Lewis and his newfoundland Seaman When is Sgt. Floyd Week? The first annual Sgt. Floyd Week is August 15th through 22nd, 2021. Events will be happening at various times throughout each day! Where is Sgt. Floyd Week? Almost all of the events happening on Sgt. Floyd Week are at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center and Betty Strong Encounter Center, along the Missouri Riverfront at 900 Larsen Park Road, and in front of the Sergeant Floyd Riverboat Museum and Welcome Center, which is just across the parking ...

 The Sioux City Railroad Museum recently announced an exciting new project with the Iowa Office of the State Archaeologist , and it includes some fun opportunities for tweens, teens, and adults! Here's the full story: Announcement Event The first important thing to know about this program is that there is a kick-off event with info about the project happening at the Sioux City Railroad Museum on Thursday, July 22nd at 10am. The event will have general information about the project as well as information specifically for volunteers, a meet & greet time with several archaeologists, and opportunities for the media to interview museum representatives and archaeologists about the project. So if you are definitely interested, plan to attend that! But now, a bit more background:  A little history The Sioux City Railroad Museum is on a property that once served as the 10th largest railyard in the US and was home to the workshops for the Milwaukee Railroad. Recent research uncovere...

Today is National Ice Cream Day! Yum! National Ice Cream Day was established by President Ronald Reagan as the 3rd Sunday in July in 1984 with these words: Now, Therefore, I, Ronald Reagan,  President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim July 1984 as National Ice Cream Month and July 15, 1984, as National Ice Cream Day, and I call upon the people of the United States to observe these events with appropriate ceremonies and activities . I'm on board with that! So without further ado, here are some of the best local places in Siouxland to get ice cream: Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor LeMars Iowa Le Mars is the HQ of Wells ice cream and the city has the nickname of "Ice Cream Capital."  Their old fashioned ice cream parlor serves up tons of the same great Wells and Blue Bunny treats you can buy in store, plus some parlor exclusives! The parlor underwent a major renovation, then re-opened in mid-summer 2019. It is cuter than ever, with a gift shop...

The Woodbury County Fair offers dozens of fun competitions for participants of all ages, but if you're new to entering county fair events, it can be a little confusing to figure out how to get in on the fun. I've entered competitions at the fair myself several years now, and talked to Woodbury County Extension/4H to get more details, and here is what I found out: Choosing your events The Fairbook available on the Woodbury County Fair website lists all of the fun events and competitions There are 3 main types: 4H Events -you have to be a member of 4H to participate in these events. They usually require a long time commitment ahead of the fair, such as raising animals! You can find more info on signing up for 4H in Woodbury County here  if your children would like to enter those events in the future Ope.n Class Events - anyone can enter these events as long as they meet the age and residency requirements. To enter, competitors must purchases an exhibitor pass , br...

Fresh off a family vacation and in honor of Amazon Prime Days as I'm posting this, I thought it'd be fun to share some of my Amazon  must-haves for family travel, some non-necessities that ended up super useful, plus a few things I thought I would love but actually didn't. All links are affiliate links, which doesn't change your price, but means I get a tiny bit of Amazon's profits if you decide to order. Not an Amazon Prime member yet? Try it for free for 30 days to take advantage of the Prime Day Deals! First, my all-time most used Amazon item for travelling with kids: a Fire tablet . At just under $50 for the base model even when they aren't on sale at all, these things are a great deal, and they keep my kids so happy in the car. You can control which apps and content they have access to, and download content that doesn't require wifi before you leave home, like audiobooks, and movies and episodes of shows on whichever str...