There's a new music festival in town. Meet Lallycooler.

Megan Raposa -

Simplified: A new, multi-genre music festival is coming to town next summer thanks to the work of the Washington Pavilion and Great Bear Ski Valley. Here's what you need to know about Lallycooler.

Why it matters

  • Sioux Falls has a "rich history" of outdoor music festivals, Pavilion President and CEO Darrin Smith said. Previously, the city had events like Jazzfest and RibFest, but they've ceased operations in recent years.
  • The goal of Lallycooler is to meet that demand for outdoor events and create an annual event that brings all types of music and general festival vibes, Smith added.
  • The inaugural two-day festival is scheduled for July 11 and 12 at Great Bear, and the first big headliner announced is country musician Sam Hunt. Details on festival passes and on-site camping options are expected to be released in the coming weeks.
"Sioux Falls has never seen anything like what we're going to do," Smith said.

Why is it called 'Lallycooler'?

The short answer is because it's fun to say and looks cool written down.

The longer answer, Smith said, is because in looking for a fun, whimsical festival name, the Pavilion discovered the term "lally-cooler" is actually old-timey slang for "success."

Tell me more about the festival

While not much is yet known about the lineup, it's expected to be a mix of artists including, rock, pop, country, folk and more.

Because of the venue at Great Bear, there will be opportunities for onsite and nearby camping, as well 260 acres of hills, trails and trees to set the ambiance.

“The Great Bear team is thrilled to co-host this event with the Washington Pavilion," said Dan Grider, Great Bear general manager. "Transforming the park, primarily known as a winter destination, into a year-round venue has long been our goal. Seeing the hillside filled with thousands of festival fans next July will be awesome."

The festival is also looking to give back as part of its partnership with presenting sponsor, Marketbeat.

  • Marketbeat and the Pavilion will jointly choose a local nonprofit to receive a portion of the festival's proceeds.

What happens next?

Weekend and one-day passes will be available for sale in the coming weeks, and the goal is to keep prices affordable, Smith said.

You can learn more at lallycooler.com.