June 21, 2022

By Jacqueline Palfy, for SiouxFalls.Business

Things are about to get weird this summer in downtown Sioux Falls.

We’re all used to sitting on a patio with a cocktail, watching motorcycles and classic cars peacock their way down Phillips Avenue. We’re used to food trucks and a pedal-assist barhopping machine.

But there’s always more room at the party – and that’s where Tanya and Jason Harder and their friends Shawn and Ava Ohnstad come in.

They bought a tractor. And then a 25-foot trailer. Then, they outfitted it with benches, a DJ stand, a bar with a full liquor license and a lighted dance floor. The whole experience is called SuFuTractor, and they’re booking rides for August now.

“We were on vacation last year, and we rode on one in Nashville like this,” Tanya Harder said. “And we just had a great time on it, and we got to discussing it, and we thought, ‘You know, we have other things downtown, but nothing like this.’”

It feels like the perfect combination of South Dakota’s agricultural roots and the bright lights, big city of urban Sioux Falls. The party tractor seats 20 people, and tickets are $29 each. You can either buy a spot on the tractor or book the entire thing for private events such as bachelorette or birthday parties – but only if you’re turning 21 or older. There’s a strict 21-and-over policy.

They’ll start out with beer and wine for purchase, but may add cocktails later. Party-goers can reserve a spot, and they take walk-ups if there’s room. Tickets are available on their website.

The front of the open-sided trailer – a wall goes up about 3 feet on the sides with a bench so you don’t topple off the dance floor – will feature a DJ station. Guests can put in requests, and the music will be tailored to the event.

“If it’s a bachelor party, we will keep the music young and current, and if it’s a 50th birthday, maybe some ’80s rock,” Harder said. They will do two tours Fridays and four tours Saturdays, adding more as demand increases. Harder sees it as a most-of-the-year business.

Tours will begin and end at Remedy Brewing Co. at 8th & Railroad Center on East Eighth Street. The tours will weave through downtown, showing highlights such as the Arc of Dreams and locally owned businesses, Harder said. While they’ll stop for the occasional sightseeing photo, the trailer doesn’t go to other bars or restaurants.

“We want to give people a taste of Sioux Falls,” she said. “We love the downtown area, so we are excited to be down there.”

The four owners are empty nesters and said they were looking for something to do. Between them they have several kids, the youngest of whom just turned 21, who said, “Thank God, I’ll be old enough to ride,” Harder said with a laugh.

Still, it’s an unusual business.

“The kids did say it would be weird when this big party tractor comes by and it’s our parents.”