Kick off your weekend with a visit to Wooden Legs Brewing Company. The spacious booths and bar seating offer plenty of room to relax with the guys, while you enjoy one (or more) of the dozen beers on tap. During game days, Wooden Legs serves up their fan-favorite ‘fancakes’ (pancakes) to keep your energy high before the big event.

Before heading to the stadium, take some time to explore more of Brookings. This beautiful city, just an hour north of Sioux Falls, is the perfect blend of small-town charm and college-town excitement. Downtown Brookings buzzes with activity, featuring several sports bars, restaurants, and unique shops to discover. During the fall, you might even stumble upon a fun community event. I was lucky to catch a fall festival in full swing, adding to the pre-game celebrations with lively music, local vendors, and more. Strolling through downtown is a great way to soak up the Brookings vibe.

No visit to Brookings is complete without a trip to Jackrabbit Central. This store is packed with university-branded gear, making it a one-stop-shop for all your Jackrabbit merchandise needs. Whether you’re looking for jerseys, hats, or something unique to wear to the game, you’ll find it here. The shop is bustling with excited fans, and it’s the perfect place to grab a souvenir that’ll keep you cheering for the Jackrabbits long after the weekend ends. I grabbed a pair of eye black tattoos.

End your day on a high note at Dana J Dykhouse Stadium, home of the back-to-back FCS National Champions, South Dakota State Jackrabbits. Get there early to join the alumni tailgate just outside the stadium, where fans of all ages come together for food, drinks, and fun. The tailgate area is alive with excitement as the SDSU marching band performs before the game. Once inside the stadium, the atmosphere is electric, with a production value that rivals any major sporting event. Between the passionate players and the roar of the Jackrabbit faithful, this is the ultimate football experience in South Dakota.