Brookings Daily Brief: Home Show, Winter Market, Policy Talk

Home show fills the Dacotah Bank Center

Brookings spent the weekend welcoming homeowners and builders to the 2026 Brookings Home Show and the long-running Home & Outdoor Show at the Dacotah Bank Center. Vendors highlighted remodeling ideas, energy-efficient upgrades, and new construction trends as residents shopped for everything from windows to landscaping plans.

Organizers framed the shows as a midwinter boost for local contractors and suppliers, giving small businesses a chance to connect directly with customers before spring building season ramps up.

Winter Farmers Market and family fun

Across town, the Winter Farmers Market returned to the 5th Street Gym on Saturday morning, offering locally raised meat, baked goods, crafts, and cold-weather produce. The year-round market continues every first and third Saturday through April, keeping a steady outlet for small growers and makers.

Families also had a free craft-focused morning at local museums, where volunteers set up Valentine-themed activities and hands-on exhibits aimed at younger kids.

Policy talk over coffee

Local legislators were scheduled to meet with residents for a weekend coffee event, giving people a chance to ask questions about bills moving through Pierre and how they could affect Brookings. Topics expected to come up include school funding, workforce housing, and support for small businesses.

Alongside that public forum, the area’s economic development group has rolled out its 2026 legislative platform, backing tools such as tax increment financing, housing infrastructure investments, and workforce education programs to help keep growth on track.

Meetings on the calendar

City and county boards have a full meeting schedule this month, including the Planning and Zoning Commission and the municipal Utility Board. Those meetings, which are open to the public, cover everything from land-use requests to long-range utility projects.

Residents who want to follow along can watch many of the meetings via local cable or online streams, or attend in person at the government center and utility offices.

Sources

• https://visitbrookingssd.com/event/2026-brookings-home-show/
• https://visitbrookingssd.com/events/
• https://visitbrookingssd.com/events/category/free/
• https://business.brookingschamber.org/chamber-events
• https://brookingscountysd.gov/273/Planning-Zoning-Commission
• https://www.brookingsutilities.com/about/utility-board
• https://brookingsedc.com/about/2026-legislative-platform/