Coronation will be during halftime of Saturday’s football game in the DakotaDome.

The Miss Dakota candidates, hometown and field of study: Mariah Larson, Vermillion, business marketing; Erin Bauer, Omaha, Nebraska, marketing; Audrey Truhe, Elk Point, South Dakota, elementary and special education with a reading minor; Mackenzie Blow, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, dental hygiene; Kennidy Asche, Scotland, South Dakota, psychology/criminal justice; Lyndsay Claussen, Sioux Falls, political science with a history minor; and Rachel Nurse, Cedar Falls, Iowa, special education and elementary education.

Mr. Dakota candidates: Diego Marquez, Sioux City, Iowa, sociology and Spanish; Brady Daly, Sioux Falls, marketing; KC Herman, Milford, Nebraska, kinesiology-exercise science; Robert McCauley, Primghar, Iowa, nursing; Kevin Wagner, of Whitewood, South Dakota, business administration with minors in entrepreneurial studies and marketing; Michael Buchanan, Aberdeen, South Dakota, medical biology and psychology with an interdisciplinary sciences minor; and Nicholas Fey, White Lake, South Dakota, kinesiology-sports exercise.

D-Days will also include the dedication of the new Sanford Coyote Sports Center (SCSC) during the 5:30 p.m. Friday volleyball game along with a celebration of the past 20 years of progress under President James W. Abbott. Here are details on it and other Dakota Days events:

  • Wednesday, Oct. 5 -- Vermtown Bash downtown: 5-8 p.m., street fair featuring a photo booth, inflatables, carnival, yard games and snacks; 9-11 p.m., street dance;
  • Thursday, Oct. 6 -- 5:30 p.m. at the Wellness Center, 5K Fun Run/Walk in partnership with Hy-Vee (first 100 participants receive a free T-shirt);
  • Friday, Oct. 7 -- 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at MUC faculty lounge, alumni welcome table; 3 p.m. at First Bank & Trust Soccer Complex, soccer vs. North Dakota State; 4:30 p.m. at Warren M. Lee Center for Fine Arts, marching band reunion; 5 p.m. outside the DakotaDome, pep rally; 5 p.m. at the DakotaDome, swim meet vs. Minnesota State; 5:30 p.m. at SCSC, volleyball vs. IUPUI (tickets are free) and formal dedication of the SCSC and honoring of major contributors; 6:30 p.m. at SCSC, Alumni Association University Celebration; 6:30 p.m. at the Wellness Center, zumba party; 7:30 p.m. at Wayne S. Knutson Theatre, “The Two Gentlemen of Verona” play;
  • Saturday, Oct. 8 -- 9 a.m. on Main Street, Dakota Days parade; 10 a.m. at DakotaDome, tailgating; 2 p.m. at DakotaDome, Coyote football vs. UNI; coronation of Miss and Mr. Dakota at halftime; 6 p.m. at SCSC, volleyball vs. Fort Wayne (admission free with football ticket); 7:30 p.m. at Wayne S. Knutson Theatre, “The Two Gentlemen of Verona” play;
  • Sunday, Oct. 9 -- 2 p.m. at Aalfs Auditorium, USD Chamber Singers.

See the full schedule for students.

View the full schedule and registration details for alumni.

Buy tickets and see details of the athletic events.

Download a photo: The 2016 USD Dakota Days royalty. Back: Nick Fey, KC Herman, Robert McCauley, Diego Marquez, Michael Buchanan, Brady Daly, Kevin Wagner. Front: Audrey Truhe, Kennidy Asche, Erin Bauer, Lyndsey Clausen, Mariah Larson, Mackenzie Blow, Rachel Nurse.

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