During the first full weekend in June, cavalry troops and infantry units converge on the grounds of Fort Sisseton Historic State Park in northeastern South Dakota. They form a military encampment with soldiers, women, children and all the necessary tents, uniforms, horses and memorabilia. The festival covers the gamut of frontier life and settlement. It includes fiddle music, historic figures, an art and craft show, melodrama stage show, and music from the Civil War. Admission is $5 dollars per person (12 and over). Park entrance license is also required.
Wonder what a military Fort looks like in lantern light? Join us for a night tour around Fort Sisseton Historic State Park where the history of Fort Sisseton and ghost stories are tangled together. 2025 dates are May 31, June 28 and July 26. Park entrance license is required.
Celebrating the vibrancy of spring in the heart of Rapid City has never been more delightful! Join us at the annual Frühlingsfest, a spring street market, in the bustling Downtown at Main Street Square – an event stirred up with the refreshing essence of spring. There's no better place to relish the crisp spring air and soak up the lively atmosphere. Enjoy the afternoon (12-5 p.m.) with family, friends, and the spectacle of live music, or simply relax and unwind in the scenic downtown district. Frühlingsfest isn't just an event - it's a lifestyle statement that captures the heart and soul of Rapid City's vibrant community spirit.
Travel throughout Fort Sisseton Historic State Park in this large game of Clue to figure out where the murder took place, what weapon was used and who did it. Turn in your answers for prizes and to have your name in the drawing for the large giveaway. The game starts June 29 and concludes July 20. See further details online. Park entrance license is required.
The Get On! Adventure Motorcycle Festival is aimed at all adventure riders and all experience levels, and it provides opportunities to advance riding skills. Enjoy four days of adventure riding and community in the gorgeous backcountry and front-country of remote South Dakota. In addition to world-class adventure riding, the weekend is full of test rides, seminars, entertainment, prizes, awards, and the latest adventure riding gear and accessories for you and your bike. Basecamp is in the beautiful Black Hills at the Buffalo Chip Campground near Sturgis.
Discover an unparalleled adventure at Fort Sisseton Historic State Park. Join expert ghost investigators plus Travel Channel's Paranormal Investigator on Ghost Adventures and the Holzer Files and author of the Podcast Paranormal 60: Dave Schrader, as they guide you on an immersive quest in search of supernatural phenomena. Sessions are 8 p.m.-2 a.m., Friday, May 2, and Saturday, May 3. Tickets are $100 per person (ages 16 and up) and must be purchased ahead of time. Ticket price includes: time to investigate with celebrity Dave Schrader, snacks, a midnight luncheon and hours of investigating. Go online for more details and to purchase tickets.
Started in 1926, this iconic community celebration was originally called Golden Jubilee, and honors our history of mining and our amazing community. It has become Gold Camp Jubilee, a 4th of July celebration featuring the largest fireworks display in the Black Hills. Enjoy vendors, live entertainment, family-friendly activities, music, food and more, all in the small town charm of historic Main Street. Various events take place July 3 and 4. On July 4, experience the annual Lead parade at 4:15 p.m. and end the day with the fireworks show at dusk (approximately 9:30 p.m.).
In 1874, Lieutenant Colonel George Custer led the troops of the 7th Cavalry into the Black Hills and discovered gold near present day Custer. To celebrate this event, Custer holds the annual Gold Discovery Days celebration. Activities include an Arts and Crafts Fair on Washington Street, the Gold Panners’ Race, a carnival, a volleyball tournament, a 5K fun run, balloon rally, car show, corn hole tournament and one of the largest parades in the Black Hills. See the website for more information. 2023 marked the 100th annual celebration.
The Grassland Gravel race/ride showcases the 116,000 acres of rolling mixed-grass prairie of the Fort Pierre National Grassland. It starts and ends at the Expo Center in Fort Pierre. There are three route distances - 31, 53 and 71 miles - that feature wide sky spaces and sparse traffic of gravel roads and doubletrack across three counties. The surfaces on each route include packed and loose gravel, bare dirt road, and double track. We’re cool with whatever you’d like to ride - drop bar, flat bar, e-bike, etc. - as long as it’s set up appropriately for a gravel adventure. E-bikes are welcome but are not eligible for race prizes. More route and registration information can be found on the Oahe Wheelmen Cycling Club website. (This is the first event in the Grasslands Triple Crown point series competition, which also includes the Thunderhawk Wide Open and Wheelin' to Wall.)
More than 200 unique quilts will be showcased at the Hill City Quilt & Fiber Arts Show. Vendors will share everything that is new and exciting in quilting, along with demonstrations and trunk shows. Held at the Hill City High School, the show hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $7 at the door. Watch for more details on the website and Facebook, and plan to spend your weekend with us. (2024 marked the 25th anniversary of the show.)
