South Dakota Veterans Cemetery Memorial Day Program

The South Dakota Veterans Cemetery Memorial Day Program gives you a quiet, formal way to begin your holiday Monday just outside Sioux Falls. You will join veterans, families, and local residents on open prairie grounds for a respectful tribute to those who served. The setting is simple and expansive, and the tone stays calm and reverent from start to finish.

The ceremony starts at noon and typically features keynote remarks, patriotic music, and a rifle salute, ending with Taps. Most attendees gather near the main plaza for the official program. Seating is limited and the cemetery remains an active site, so plan to arrive by 11:30 AM to park, walk in, and settle before the first notes begin.

Come prepared for an outdoor service with very little shade. Bring your own lawn chair or a heavy blanket, plus high SPF sunscreen and water, and wear comfortable walking shoes for the distance between parking and the ceremony area. The program is open to all ages, entry and parking are free, and restrooms are available in the administrative buildings. Keep your phone silenced, and if you bring a pet, keep it close on a short leash.

The service is generally held outdoors rain or shine, but may be shortened or moved for safety in severe weather, especially lightning. After the final salute, you can linger to walk the grounds and visit the memorials, then head back into Sioux Falls for an easy afternoon at Falls Park or along the downtown riverfront. For convenient access, we recommend hotels in southern or central Sioux Falls, with boutique options downtown, and for a quieter weekend base you can also look for regional rentals through Lake.com.