Peak Fall Foliage Arrives Just in Time for Weekend Trail Walks

Veblen, SD · October 9, 2026

Pulling an extra fleece off the rack is sensible business this morning with cloud cover holding firm across the prairie. Between Friday night road games and tomorrow's trail walks, the weekend schedule is already filling up fast.

The Lead

Autumn has officially hit peak color along the ravines of the Coteau des Prairies, setting up an active weekend across the northeastern hills. Saturday marks the annual Autumn in the Hollow gathering at Sica Hollow State Park just south of town, where bur oak, maple, and aspen stands are showing their deepest red and gold canopies of the season. Park staff and naturalists will host visitors along the Trail of the Spirits throughout the day, highlighting both the geological coulees carved by glacial melt and the rich cultural history of the area. Just down the road near Lake City, Fort Sisseton Historic State Park staff are bringing hands-on pioneer history displays and living-history demonstrations to the Back Forty Corn Maze. Cooler evening air will settle in quickly behind today's overcast skies, so anyone heading out for trail walks should plan their outings before the late afternoon shadows stretch long.

Today's Outlook

High 71°F · Low 41°F — Overcast
- Grab a warm layer for the evening chill once the daytime warmth fades.

What's On Around Town

Today

St. Kateri Bingo Extravaganza St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church, Sisseton, 6:30–10:00 PM Cash prizes, fellowship, and card games for an easy Friday evening.
Braves Varsity Football at Redfield Redfield High School, Redfield, 7:00 PM · Paid Britton-Hecla puts its four-game winning streak on the line tonight.

Tomorrow

Autumn in the Hollow Sica Hollow State Park (11547 Northside Dr), Lake City, 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
Fort Sisseton at the Corn Maze Back Forty Corn Maze, Lake City, 10:00 AM–2:00 PM

Spotlight & Story

Eugene Lahammer
- Raised in poverty on a foreclosed Veblen farmstead, Lahammer graduated from high school here at just 16 in 1949 as co-salutatorian. He went on to become a legendary Associated Press Capitol reporter, calling Minnesota election nights accurately in his head for 50 years.

Veblen Daily Digest — compiled from local sources as of 6 AM. For breaking updates, follow your local newsrooms.

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