2025 Coyote Carnival Kicks off 111 Annual Dakota Days

On Tuesday Sept. 30, the USD Dakota Days Kickoff Carnival marked the start of the 111 Dakota Days.  

The Carnival was from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. located on campus at Coyote Alley and had a variety of activities, including balloon darts, bull riding, putt golf and a dunk tank. 

Different student organizations held booths at the carnival, providing students with snacks and activities for students, including PAVE, AWOL and the Coyote Crazies. 

The carnival also hosted the annual Dakota Days hot dog eating contest. Contestants sat down and the first to eat three hot dogs won the challenge. 

Zander Hull participated in the contest, winning third place.

“I feel like a loser, I feel like I’ll never amount to anything. But then again, at least I wasn’t fourth,” said Hull. 

Student Government Association President, Keegan Baker, also participated in the hot dog eating contest, and admitted she didn’t try to win. 

“I was there for a good time, I had a great time,” said Baker. 

The night ended with the reveal of the final 14 homecoming candidates. This year’s candidates were Isabelle Wintz, Ellie Hart, Ethan Gladue, Katelin Stoebner, Trey Smith, Ali Tesch, Abigail Bluvas, Angel Vazquez, Zena Aragon, Griffin Petersen, Karlye Maras, Hari Kadarkaraisamy, Macey Boerhave, and Ben Partridge. 

Zena Aragon and Griffin Petersen were crowned Royalty on Saturday during the Homecoming game against Murray State, which the Coyotes won 49-24.