June 29, 2021

This paid piece is sponsored by the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance.

Whether it’s an overnight visit, weekend getaway or just a quick daytrip out of town, you’ll discover many new additions await in the community of Canton.

Newton Hills cabin

A modern cabin awaits on more than 1,000 acres inside Newton Hills State Park, where you’ll also find hiking and multiuse trails perfect for mountain biking and horseback riding.

In addition to nine traditional cabins and a lodge, the new modern cabin sleeps eight in two bedrooms and offers a full kitchen.

“And we provide about everything you need except for food and linens,” district park supervisor Jason Baumann said.

“Other than that, it all should be here.”

There’s a full kitchen inside, plus an outdoor area for grilling, outdoor gathering – and an incredible view.

Since opening last fall, reservations have filled up fast.

“We do have some openings during the week,” Baumann said. “The weekends are going to be pretty tight unless there is a cancellation. Last time I looked, we were booked pretty much through October on weekends. It kind of opens up after that.”

You can book up to a year in advance, and it’s especially popular for family gatherings, he said.

And, of course, there’s always the rest of the park – where you can rent or check out everything from banana bikes to yard games.

The season has been “really good” so far for the state park system, he added. “A lot of the lakes are getting a lot of use with kayaking and swimming, fishing, and we see that trend continuing through the year.”

Canton Open Air Market

If it’s Thursday night, you’ll want to take a trip to Canton for a popular local market.

The Canton Open Air Market started last year in the park between the community’s library and the Lincoln County Courthouse.

“I envisioned a really big community gathering and a way to support musicians and local nonprofit groups and have it be in a place where there was more space and a park for the kids to play,” co-organizer Jennifer Gubbels said. “And the library is also open late on Thursday nights. And so we kind of collaborate with the library as well. I just wanted it to be a great community event.”

That’s what it has become, with nearly 20 vendors, local music, food trucks and nonprofit fundraisers. A volunteer board runs the market, and it collaborates with the Carnegie Center for the Arts in town to line up local musicians.

“It is because of the team effort of all of them that the market is made possible,” Gubbels said.

“We have vendors that range from homemade cards to vegetables to baked goods to freeze-dried candy, jewelry, sewed items, clothing, and then the Boy Scouts are always selling hot dogs.”

Gubbels and her family also own Good Life Farms, growing vegetables for shareholders in the Canton and Sioux Falls areas.

“And we also sell our vegetables here at the market. And so that’s been helpful for us to get our name out there and provide fresh vegetables to people that come,” she said.

The market runs from 5 to 7 p.m. every Thursday through August.

The Canton Barn

And if it’s Sunday, you’ll nearly always find another reason for a trip to Canton. The Canton Barn began hosting live music and food trucks last summer on Sunday afternoons.

“Anywhere from full country to classic rock,” co-owner Tim Blackstone said.

“We’re trying to go every weekend this year and hopefully expand some more to where we do some more musical events during our downtime in the winter upstairs and incorporate the same type of atmosphere.”

The event generally opens up at 1 p.m., with music starting an hour later and running until 5 p.m.

“Kids are welcome. We’ve got a lot of green space for them to run in. We just got some bean bag boards made identifying The Canton Barn that will always be out from this point forward. It’s a family venue and family event.”

Plus, you’ll get an up-close look at a unique venue that might be a fit for your next event.

“We’re a true historic barn being 104 years old. We focus not only on weddings but the musical events, family events, graduations. You name it, we can do it. And our whole idea here is to make it as comfortable as possible.”