Pioneer Park
Pioneer Park is a city park on the west side of Brookings, South Dakota, on US Highway 14, with a bandshell, sand volleyball and basketball courts, a playground, a multi-purpose field and a reservable shelter. Each July it hosts the Brookings Summer Arts Festival, which started in 1972 and now fills the park with 36 food booths, more than 30 artisan food and naturals vendors, and a children's area, with shuttle buses and designated handicap parking making it easy to reach.
Before you go
- Indoor or outdoor
- Entirely outdoor: bandshell, open field, courts and a reservable shelter
- Official site
- cityofbrookings-sd.gov
- Next festival here
- Brookings Summer Arts Festival, Jul 10 to 11, 2027
Worth knowing before you go
- The shuttle runs Saturday 9am to 8pm and Sunday 10am to 5:30pm, from the SD Agricultural Museum's lot.
- Handicap parking sits on the east side at 2nd Avenue and 5th Street, and on the west side off Western Avenue, with gate guards to help.
- The park's one large shelter has small grills and can be reserved starting January 1st each year.
- The festival began in 1972 with just fifteen craft and art booths at the park.
Festivals here
Venue basics: Bandshell, courts, field and a reservable shelter · On US Highway 14, west side of Brookings · Weekend shuttle for $2 one way.
Getting there and parking
Pioneer Park is on the west side of Brookings on US Highway 14, also known as Sixth Street. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way runs through the park, with diagonal parking along it.
Festival-specific · Brookings Summer Arts FestivalHandicap parking is available on the east side of the park at 2nd Avenue and 5th Street and at the south gate on Western Avenue, with a gate attendant directing drivers. General parking is on side streets and downtown public lots, plus paid lots north and northwest of the festival and at United Living Center on 4th Street and 1st Avenue.
Festival-specific · Brookings Summer Arts FestivalShuttle buses run continuously between the South Dakota Agricultural Museum's north parking lot, at North Medary Avenue and 11th Street, and the park. The shuttle runs Saturday 9am to 8pm and Sunday 10am to 5:30pm, for a $2 one way fare per person, per boarding.
Accessibility
Festival-specific · Brookings Summer Arts FestivalReserved handicap parking is available on the east side of Pioneer Park and on the west side off Western Avenue, with gate guards at 2nd Avenue and 5th Street, or at the south gate, to help drivers find a spot.
Confirm your specific needs with the venue before you travel (cityofbrookings-sd.gov).
Camping
We don't yet have confirmed information about camping at Pioneer Park. The venue's own pages are the place to check: cityofbrookings-sd.gov.
Food, water and what you can bring
Festival-specific · Brookings Summer Arts FestivalThe festival includes 36 gourmet and ethnic food booths, plus an Artisan Food and Naturals area with more than 30 vendors selling gourmet packaged cottage foods and natural skin products.
Recently at Pioneer Park
City Council 10/13/2026
From the venue · Oct 14, 2026
City Council 10/13/2026
From the venue · Oct 14, 2026
City Council Study Session 09/22/2026
From the venue · Sep 23, 2026
Quick answers
Where is Pioneer Park in Brookings?
On the west side of town, on US Highway 14, also known as Sixth Street.
Is there a shuttle to the Brookings Summer Arts Festival?
Yes. It runs Saturday 9am to 8pm and Sunday 10am to 5:30pm, from the SD Agricultural Museum's north lot, for $2 one way per person.
Where is handicap parking at Pioneer Park during the festival?
On the east side at 2nd Avenue and 5th Street, and on the west side off Western Avenue, with gate guards to help you find a spot.
Can I reserve a shelter at Pioneer Park?
Yes. There is one large shelter with small grills, and reservations for the calendar year open January 1st.
What food is at the Brookings Summer Arts Festival?
36 gourmet and ethnic food booths, plus an Artisan Food and Naturals area with more than 30 vendors selling packaged cottage foods and natural skin products.
Is there anything for kids at the festival?
Yes. A children's area in the center of the park offers fun, educational activities.
When did the Brookings Summer Arts Festival start?
In 1972, with a parade and opening ceremony on July 15th and just fifteen craft and art booths at Pioneer Park.
A little history
Pioneer Park itself has a bandshell, sand volleyball and basketball courts, playground equipment, a multi-purpose field and one large reservable shelter with small grills, bookable starting January 1st each year.
The festival began in 1972, kicking off July 15th with a parade and opening ceremony. Fifteen craft and art booths were set up at Pioneer Park that first year, alongside rock, antique and coin shows elsewhere in town, a 4-H horse show, band concerts and evening dances.