There’s a FaulkTON of Fun Awaiting You This Spring and Summer!

Ready to shake off that case of Cabin Fever?

Whether you live next door or in the next state over, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in Faulkton as National Travel and Tourism Week (May 4-12) kicks off and warmer temperatures return.

Most notable? Anniversaries of two of our most iconic points of interest!

“We couldn’t be more excited to toast the Lyric Theatre’s 75th anniversary and the 100th anniversary of our Carousel,” said Faulkton Area Economic Development (FAEDC) president JoDee Bryant. “We welcome people of all ages to come and experience both of these beloved treasures.”

Throughout the summer, you don’t want to miss out on our FaulkTON of Fun Fridays. Take a spin on the Faulkton Carousel, grab a bite to eat from your favorite restaurant, and cap off the evening with date night at the Lyric Theatre!

A Legend In the Making 

Whenever people settle into their vintage seats at the Lyric Theatre, they’re often accompanied by a buttery tub of popcorn, their favorite person (hopefully), and a flood of fond memories.

And for the past 75 years, the Huss family has ensured that those happy experiences have continued for movie buffs, nostalgia lovers and everyone in between.

“Faulkton is a very small community so people remember some of their memorable life events and sometimes those life events happened at the theatre,” said owner Dave Huss, whose father Cyril and uncle Leo opened the Lyric in 1950. “When they get together they will tell stories about what they did at the theatre, their first date and first kiss or something else. They remember watching their first movie or talk about watching a certain movie at the theatre. Memories make the theatre a beloved treasure to Faulkton and those memories are told to the kids and grandkids and great grandkids and other family members which keeps the theatre alive for generations.”

The Lyric has proven to be a treasure to everyone who has visited… for a variety of reasons.

“Me and my siblings enjoyed the magic of the theatre and absolutely loved the policy that ‘Family doesn't pay for popcorn when watching a movie.’ Let's just say lots of popcorn was eaten those summers,” said Dave’s nephew, John Huss. “The other highlight we had was cleaning up the theatre. Grandpa said, ‘Whatever money you find cleaning up is yours.’  Our eyes lit up whenever loose change was found but even more so when the holy grail was found...paper money. It was only after Grandpa passed that we found out he planted the money ahead of us going over to clean up!”

The Lyric has been a mainstay in Faulkton since 1950.

“Many people remember the theatre as a place that they went to as kids. Now those same people are taking their grandkids to the theatre,” said Dave. “In 1995 dad asked mom (Dorothy Huss) to keep the theatre open for the community and she did until her death in 2020 when I took it over and I plan on passing it down to John and his wife, Lena (Huss). It is all about honoring Mom and Dad's wishes and giving Faulkton a place to have some entertainment.”

So, what’s the secret to successfully operating a small, independent theater when so many major chains have closed their doors?

“Community support and the desire to keep it open regardless of making money or not. Many theatres are in the business of making money so that they can continue to operate,” said Dave. “Since the theatre has no debt we are able to keep it open even if we take a small loss each year. As long as we have dedicated people like Jackie Geiger and others willing to donate their time to operate the concessions then we will keep the theatre open for the community.”

Fans of the Lyric have probably already noticed the renovations to the exterior of the building: a new marquee, new lighting and repainted entrance.

“We also repainted the interior and redecorated the walls with Lyric nostalgia. This year, we will continue renovations by building in a new storage area, installing new cabinets in the concessions area, new toilets, vanities and flooring in the bathrooms and we are scheduled for new carpeting,” said John.

A soft opening is aimed for the weekend of May 2nd with a "Walk Through the Decades with the Lyric Theatre” theme to celebrate its 75th year.

“We plan to have cupcakes and our normal concessions for the opening night as we show the first movie ever screened here: Miss Grant Takes Richmond. On Saturday, we will show Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1960s) and Toy Story (1990s). On Sunday it will be "May the 4th be with you" with us showing Star Wars (1970s) and Empire Strikes Back (1980s).  Costumes are encouraged for Sunday and all shows will be free will donations,” said John.

Showtimes for the 2025 season are 7:30 p.m. every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from May through October, with special showings at other times.

Here’s the Spin… 

Plenty of communities have a town square. But a town carousel?

In 1981, Faulkton resident Bob Ketterling was inspired to purchase a carousel at an auction in Edgemont, South Dakota. Stamped No. 8 and manufactured in 1926 by the C.W. Parker Co. of Leavenworth, Kansas, it was the last item up for bid.

For Ketterling, who grew up in a home where money was tight, it was the desire to gift area children with the joy of experiencing a ride on a carousel that inspired him to make a bid.

“He loved (them) when he was a kid,” said current carousel operator Bill Becker in a video posted by South Dakota Public Broadcasting. “So, he bought it, brought it home, put it together from scratch and started running it at his house. His rides were five minutes long. He timed them.”

Ketterling installed the carousel in the Happy Times Park on N. 9th Avenue and continued giving free rides to children until his death in 1988. Following his passing, the city of Faulkton purchased the carousel from his widow, Lorretta. This is also when city officials nicknamed the town “Carousel City.”

Becker has since taken over the operation, magic that begins with the push of a button. Unlike Ketterling, he doesn’t time his rides. “You can ride it for 2 hours at a time if you want,” he continued saying in the SDPB video. “And you can put money in the box, but it’s free. I’ll run it for a while and then stop and say, ‘Time to change horses.’ Little kids take a long time to decide which horse to ride next. But some of them don’t. They have a favorite horse and would ride it all night if they could.”

The carousel still boasts 19 of the 20 original aluminum horses that gently rise and fall to the beat of “oompah” music, under the warm glow of bulb lights that adorn the cheery red, yellow and blue structure. Two chariot seats—one red, one blue—are available to those who prefer to keep their feet on solid ground as the carousel spins.

Kids of all ages can look forward to riding the horse of their choosing beginning in May when the Faulkton Carousel opens for its 100th season.

Excellence in Tourism Award

We’re also proud to announce that Faulkton was awarded the Peter Norbeck Excellence in Tourism Innovation Award!

Presented by then-Lieutenant Governor Larry Rhoden and James Hagen, Secretary of the Department of Tourism, during the 2025 South Dakota Governor’s Conference on Tourism, Faulkton was distinguished for our interactive ad campaign that attracted day-trippers, out of towners, and adventure-seekers to “take the Carousel City for a spin” and experience a “Faulk-ton of fun.”

“We hope everyone will come out and enjoy the Carousel and the Lyric Theater, regardless of whether they’re young or young at heart,” said FAEDC board president JoDee Bryant. “There’s something truly magical about what both of these icons bring to the community.”

For more information about the Faulk-ton of Fun you can experience this spring and summer, contact us today!