Burning Winter

the 5th annual

BURNING WINTER a path to spring

Taking place at BronzeAge Foundry in Sioux Falls, Sunday, March 26, Burning Winter will be an all-day community inclusive gathering focused on bringing together traditions, culture, and heritage to welcome the arrival of spring. The goals of the event are to connect with core traditions, to unify our community, and to inspire collective action and creativity. The day will be filled with creation, innovation, and expression centered around growth, renewal, and rebuilding for the year to come.

The Burning Winter Festival is rooted in leaving behind the weight of the previous year and making space for new growth within oneself and within the community. This day is about bringing your own creativity and innovation to the table to assist in making Sioux Falls a culturally rich city. As a note, we are not promoting this event on social media. We want to connect with a more organic form of promotion: talking to our neighbors.

And the festivities center around writing what does not serve you, whatever that may be, on a piece of cloth & nailing the cloth on the tree. Then, we burn the tree at dusk.

We are asking artists, innovators, & lovers of community alike

to participate as they see fit. The more original, the better.

Here is the schedule for the day: 8:00 - “Gather at BronzeAge Foundry”

1110 N Weber Ave, Sioux Falls, SD, Coee and Treats to be served

9:00 - “Building the Tree”

With tree debris, we will build a 25 ft tree sculpture using primitive lashing techniques

10:00 - “Preparing for the Burn”

Crafting of Props, Costumes, Instruments, etc.

11:00 - “Embodied Creativity”

Dance, Yoga, Meditation, Contemplative Walks, Poetry Writing

12:00 - “Community Potluck Lunch”

Bring a dish to share

1:00 - “The Forum of Festivals: How does Sioux Falls become a Festival City?”

An open forum with creative leaders on how we can organize culturally-rich festivals here in Sioux Falls

3:00 - “Parade of the Winter Beasts”

Raise a ruckus with giant puppets as we parade around Downtown Sioux Falls to visit participating businesses

6:00 - “Gather for the Burn”

Return to BronzeAge for the Burn

Dusk - “The Burn”

We set fire to the tree, along with all the notes nailed to it

Now, how do you want to participate?

Participate in this festival how you would want to participate in the ideal community that resides in your mind.
Your idealized reality. Imagine what would be the best way to celebrate the season of renewal, rebirth, & emergence.

If you are an artist or creative, you can come face paint, organize an instrument crafting workshop, draw chalk on sidewalks, teach a skill to a group of eager learners, organize photo shoots throughout the day.

If you are a poet or storyteller, host a writing circle, carry a soap box and set up to speak your pieces aloud for all those to hear.

If you are an entertainer or musician, start a music circle, play during the events of the day, busk on the street. If you are a cook, or lover of food , make a dish for the potluck, come enjoy the fruits of the community.

If you own a downtown storefront business, host a morning crafting event or an evening party. create a pop-up concept or specialty menu that allows you to experiment and try something new.

If you are a person with a soul, just come and commune.

Know what you want to do? Fill out the form at shorturl.at/hrCES and we will be in contact with you!