Parade of Lights sees huge attendance jump

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) - The 26th Annual Parade of Lights through downtown Sioux Falls this year saw a dramatic jump in attendance. The Sioux Falls Police Department told DTSF Events Manager Steven Dahlmeier that they estimated 40,000 attended the event the day after Thanksgiving. That's up from 23,000 a year ago.

"We're definitely pleased with the turnout. Any time we can get people downtown for one of our events and enjoy some of the great stores and restaurants we have down here, it's a win for Sioux Falls and a win for downtown Sioux Falls," Dahlmeier said. "This event has become a tradition for a lot of families and its a new tradition for newer families."

Dahlmeier says the mild weather helped with attendance. The temp climbed into the mid-60s and was in the upper 40s at parade time.

"This is an event that is definitely weather-dependent," Dahlmeier said. "If we get another mild winter next year, we can hope for that 40,000 number again, or hopefully even more."