October 2026

      On Monday, Sept. 28th an annual Dakota Days carnival took place in the Muensters University Center ball room. This carnival was organized to help students get even more hype for Dakota Days. There were multiple different activities to attend and participate in. Students got to enjoy games like cornhole, a chopstick race, […]

Dakota Days is a large-scale celebration which frequently leads to a large increase in the Vermillion population; and as a result, an influx in public safety concerns.      “Dakota Days is one of the busiest and most exciting weeks of the year at USD. From a public-safety perspective, it means preparing for a large […]

     Located just outside of Vermillion, nestled amongst the tall grasses of the prairie, sits Ufford Hills, locally owned pumpkin patch.     This year, Ufford Hills hosted their first natural prairie flower celebration this September, marking the beginning of fall for Ufford Hills.     “I like the sunflowers and the goldenrods. I […]

Carla Thomsen graduated from the University of South Dakota in 1982 and was the 1981 Dakota Days Queen. She’s also a former Alpha Phi sorority member. Thomsen has daughters who attended the USD and are former members of Alpha Phi as well. She currently works full-time at Sanford and part-time at Scheels. Thomsen was a […]

     In the midst of the annual Dakota Days festivities, one event outside of Vermillion has brought students together for dancing, laughter and fun for almost 10 years.      The annual Yotes Go Rural barn dance is set to take place Saturday, October 3 at Fleurish Farm’s Seed Shed outside of Elk Point. […]

Almost one year ago, Vermillion’s only bookstore switched hands. On Sept. 25, the new owners celebrated everything that they have accomplished and the community they have built. That store is Outside of a Dog Books & Games, a place where customers can not only find books and games, but also find community. Whether through one […]

 Lauren Soulek, a 2019 USD alumni from Delmont, South Dakota, is currently an evening news anchor for KELOLAND’s 6 and 10 p.m. newscasts. She anchors in the evening and reports during the day.   Soulek was born in Mitchell, South Dakota, but graduated from Tripp-Delmont High School in 2016. At Tripp-Delmont, she participated in the […]

From parties to parades, Dakota Days presents us students with the exciting challenge of managing work and play, but for some, this time of the year can be especially important. To the many small businesses present in Vermillion, Dakota Days can be a time to bring in necessary extra revenue, reconnect with people and build […]