ABOUT DOWNTOWN AT SUNDOWN
2024 DATES | August 1, August 8, August 15, August 22, August 29
LOCATION | Main Ave, Downtown Brookings
TIME | 5:30PM - 9PM ADMISSION | FREE
Downtown at Sundown is five weeks of sunshine, live music, cold drinks, local food, and a friendly atmosphere. 2024 marks the ninth year of Downtown at Sundown, offering a family-friendly night out with FREE admission and FREE kids activities.
Each week features a different headliner act, while food vendors and retail booths offer a little something for everyone. Bring your friends and bring your family for five nights or pure fun under the sun in downtown Brookings!
The evening kicks off with vendors opening at 5:30 p.m., followed by our headliners playing at 6 p.m. everything from the latest country and rock, to throw-back tunes.
HISTORY
It all started when…
The initial idea for a festival-like, outdoor music concert came from the community. In 2013, Brookings Economic Development Corporation conducted a Charrette comprised of small focus groups representative of all ages and cross-sectors of the Brookings population, as well as a community-wide survey. The results clearly reflected the want and need for a festival-like community event and central gathering place for all ages.
In 2014, the current Mayor (Tim Reed), City Manager (Jeff Weldon), Convention & Visitors Bureau Director (Jennifer Johnson) and Downtown Brookings Incorporated Director (Kristin Heismeyer) came together to discuss strategies for implementing a music festival, as well as spent time vetting and ultimately hiring event consultant Annie Creek, LLC, based in Spearfish, South Dakota.
FUN FACT: IT TAKES AN ESTIMATED 104 STAFF/VOLUNTEER HOURS EACH WEEK TO COORDINATE, SET-UP, AND RUN THE EVENT. HOWEVER, THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE PRIOR PLANNING WHICH TAKES PLACE FEBRUARY THROUGH JUNE.
In 2015, it was a collective decision by all involved to move forward with planning and executing the event, with the CVB organization leading the charge. The first summer was amazing, exciting, and a lot of hard work. The people of Brookings showed their love and support for the event.
Fast forward to the summer of 2019 and the CVB passed the event over to the Brookings Area Chamber of Commerce. Their hard-working team of four, a handful of amazing interns, and dozens of volunteers make this event possible.
The 2023 series welcomed over 20,000 individuals to Downtown Brookings. The event wouldn’t be as successful as we have been without the support of our community - especially the City of Brookings and First Bank & Trust. A special thank you to all the community members, business owners, and visitors for making Downtown at Sundown what it is today!