Weddings should be an eventful and fun event to plan, but if you are the groom, sometimes it can be monotonous while you wait for the day to come and pass. Us ladies know, that
Weddings should be an eventful and fun event to plan, but if you are the groom, sometimes it can be monotonous while you wait for the day to come and pass. Us ladies know, that you know, how important a day it is, but we also understand that getting dolled up for a fancy dinner is not always on your priority list. Some of you men would rather watch the game than be an active coordinator for one of the most chaotic days you’ll ever live to see.
Which is why I present you, the Expo Center. You have probably driven past this building and seen it from the interstate, possibly wondering what is in it. Well wonder no more, and follow me if you want to wed! (See what I did there?)
The smell of money
Built practically in the middle of a rail yard, the murals inside pay homage to its beginnings. One hundred years ago, this area used to be Sioux City’s lucrative stock yards. Cattle auctions were held here, as well as baseball games. You see, the flat dirt ground, surrounded by bleachers accommodating an audience who come to watch local farmers sell their pigs and sheep, made for a perfect place where people could show their support for the All-American past-time, baseball.
Originally built to cater the needs for equestrian and agricultural events, the Siouxland Expo Center, which recently got a new name (Seaboard Triumph Foods Expo Center) noticed there was more possibility to expand, allowing for indoor sports during the winter, hosting trade shows and even craft fairs.
Rain or shine, the games must go one
After building this 100,000 square-foot structure at the cost of $15 million dollars, president of the expo center board Dirk Lohry noticed rental requests coming in from all over. Organizations such as 4-H clubs to tractor shows, to even families wanting to hold their private events here were all reaching out and showing their support.
With a temperature-controlled arena and a 2,000 square-foot banquet room, this would be an ideal location to hold a sports-related wedding. You could have your ceremony outside on the patio, go inside for some food and drinks, have fun on the dance floor, and then head out to the turf for an evening full of action.
Rental fees for the banquet room do not include access to the indoor field, so you will have to look into what purchase agreement you want. You are not required, however, to rent their entire 80,000 square-foot arena, unless you want to. Instead, you can rent portions of the field and set up batting cages, play flag football, or even organize a game of softball. With the space to fit an entire football field, the options are endless.
***The picture below is not mine. Source: https://www.facebook.com/STFExpoCenter
Plan your event
Current rental fees are $800 for the banquet room (which is a steal y’all!) and has a capacity for 240 people, add on an additional $150 for the bar, and you’re all set. Bring in your caterer of choice, then look into how much it cost to rent a portion of the turf. Generally, you’re looking at $35 dollars to $350 dollars per hour depending on how much of the field you want access to, and what time of year you’ll be having your event. If you want to splurge a little, you can rent the entire field for a day at the cost of $4,500 dollars.
For more information regarding their party packages, check out their website (https://stfexpocenter.com/), and go on over to their Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/STFExpoCenter) for upcoming events you may want to attend. This will give you a special awareness of how large the facility is, allowing you to make your decision a little easier. Opening only two years ago, the Siouxland Expo Center has been host to over 1500 events, so spots fill up fast!
Hours of Operation:
Mon – Sun: 8am to 10pm
712-279-6126
550 Expo Center Drive
Sioux City, Iowa 51101
