Frosty Frolics, burgers and football highlight the weekend in Sioux Falls

SIOUX FALLS — Whew. Glad that's over.

Now that the storm has passed it's time to get back out there and have some fun.

From the Frosty Frolics to the Downtown Burger Battle there's a ton to do this weekend in Sioux Falls.
As always, there's more on the Sioux Falls Live events calendar.

Sioux Falls really loves its burgers.

Throughout the month of January, Downtown Sioux Falls is hosting the Downtown Burger Battle featuring a record 32 restaurants and 32 burgers. That’s slightly more than a burger a day for those who wants to try each one. #Math

Think you can eat all 32? Find a fellow burger aficionado to help split the costs and the calories.

As always, the best burger will be selected by area food critics. And that’s you! Vote by downloading the DTSF Digital Passport App .

Now to the REALLY important stuff — the food! We won’t list all 32 of the restaurants or burgers here (go to DTSF.com for the full list), but there are a few that stand out for different reasons.

Blarney Stone Pub is offering a Peanut Butter and Jelly Burger, which sounds … interesting. We’ll withhold judgment until we try it.

Chef Lance’s on Phillips, which won last year, has a Bison Burger. Covert Artisan Ales has The Son of Zeus that features lamb gyro meat. Falls Landing Bar and Grill grabbed our attention with a burger called The Mario. It’s-a-me, The Mario Burger! It’s a “brisket chuck blend topped with crispy prosciutto and bacio cheese.” TommyJack’s Pub is offering a Philly Burger, which is refreshingly self-explanatory.

A few places that normally don’t serve burgers are trying their hand at it, as well, with Sunny Pizzeria and Pizza Cheeks. Give them a try and let them know if they should “stick to pizza.”

Grab your winter coats and gloves for one of eight “cool” events across Sioux Falls on Jan. 6 to 8 as part of the city’s 35th annual Frosty Frolics weekend. There’s ice skating, snowshoeing, ice fishing and running among the events, which are all free (except where noted).

Here’s a rundown of the events:

Friday, Jan. 6

• Head to Memorial Park Ice Rink from 6:30 to 8 p.m. for the Frosty Fun Friday of skating, music and activities. A DJ will provide family-friendly music, and there will be free skate rentals, snowshoeing, broomball, ice skate bowling and s’mores-making. Cost is $5 per participant.

Saturday, Jan. 7

• 5K or 10K Fun Run/Walk at 9 a.m. at Spencer Park. Registration is $5 and starts on-site at 8 a.m. but can also be done online.
• Head inside for Storytime and Activities at Prairie West Library from 9:30 to 11 a.m. with hot chocolate and crafts.
• Take a crack at fishing during the Ice Fishing Frenzy from 10 a.m. to noon at Family Park. Poles are provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
• It’s like the Iditarod — except for adults instead of dogs and carboard instead of wood for a sled — at the “I-Kid-A-Rod” at Morningside Park Shelter from 1 to 2 p.m. Bring your pre-made sled using only cardboard and duct tape (as well as string to pull it). Sleds will be judged based on creativity, and parents will pull their sledders through the course. Hot chocolate and a snack will await racers at the finish line.
• If you are looking for something a little more serene, head to the Mary Jo Wegner Arboretum from 1 to 4 p.m. for the Nature Stroll. Search for birds and explore animal tracks. Binoculars will be provided, and snowshoes available if there’s enough snow.

Sunday, Jan. 8

• Keep your eye out for hidden treasures during the Snowman Hunt starting at Pasley Park and going to Spencer Park from 1 to 3 p.m. Those with strong vision will be rewarded with prizes along the way.
• Bring your dog to the K9 Root Beer Keg Race at Spencer Dog Park from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Dogs will be separated by weight class and will attempt to pull a root beer keg past the finish line.

Support local artists at the Winter Style Art Showcase hosted by DaDa Gastropub from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 6.

The event was hosted in the summer and returns for a winter version. It is free to attend, and all proceeds from individual sales go to the artist. The event is an “art show that wholly benefits the artist,” according to the event’s Facebook page.

South Dakota State is back in the national championship game Sunday, Jan. 8, in Frisco, Texas, and hunting for its first FCS title against none other than rival North Dakota State. The Bison have won it nine times. No big deal.

The Jacks have had the Bison’s number the past few matchups, having won five of the last seven Dakota Marker meetings, including a thrilling 23-21 win in October.

Winning their first FCS title against their biggest FCS nemesis would be extra special for the Jacks.

The game is at 1 p.m. and will be broadcast on ABC or streaming at ESPN+ (subscription required). SDSU is favored by four points in one online sportsbook.

More sports

• In minor league sports, the Sioux Falls Skyforce host the Texas Legends on Tuesday at 6:30. The Sioux Falls Stampede play Des Moines at 7:05 p.m. Jan. 6 on “Wizards Night.” Fans are encouraged to wear robes and grab their wands for a night of Harry Potter-esque fun. The Stampede end the week by hosting Sioux City at 4:05 p.m. Jan. 8.
• The No. 2 Sioux Falls Lincoln boys basketball team hosts No. 3 Pierre in a top-five Class AA showdown at 7 p.m. on Jan. 5. In another top-five match-up, the No. 3 Sioux Falls Washington girls host No. 4 Pierre at 7 p.m. Jan. 7.