Lots to do locally for Independence Day

Both Hill City and Keystone have a lot planned for people looking for something to do locally over the Independence Day holiday.

“With Mount Rushmore in our backyard and the community’s rich old west Americana history, Fourth of July in Keystone is the epitome of our nation’s independence,” said Keystone director of tourism Laura  Schluckebier.

Schluckebier suggests visiting a Keystone attraction or having a bite to eat at one of the town’s restaurants before heading up the hill to Mount Rushmore. 

“When I see families sitting together, eating an ice cream cone along our American flag lined streets, the whole thing looks like a scene from a movie,”  Schluckebier said, adding, “We’re thrilled to be a destination that brings people together, and provides a moment of American pride and appreciation.”

Mount Rushmore National Memorial makes the holiday a two-day event beginning July 3.

At 9:30 a.m. presidential re-enactors will host an in-character news conference in the Carvers’ Café. This will be an interactive conference with both park rangers and visitors being allowed to ask questions for the presidents to answer. The presidents will also be on hand all day, interacting with the public, signing autographs and giving presentations. 

There is also a full slate of Indigenous cultural programming throughout the day with hoop dancing, presentations and a heritage village talk. A special evening program featuring a hoop dance performance by Jasmine Bell and a musical performance by the Air Force Academy Band rounds out the July 3 festivities at 7:30 p.m.

Locals and visitors can return to Mount Rushmore National Memorial on Independence Day for a similar day of festivities or spend the day in the Heart of the Hills, Hill City.

Hill City’s annual Star Spangled celebration begins July 4 at 10 a.m. with an old fashioned parade down Main Street. Rushmore Helicopters/Black Hills Aerial Adventures is once again kicking off the parade with a helicopter flyover. 

On the ground, Vic Alexander’s 1927 Stoughton Fire Truck will lead the parade that typically features 35 vehicles with a host of walkers and color guards. 

Executive director of the Hill City Area Chamber of Commerce, Erin Loder, said that Hill City is a spirited and heartfelt community with great pride and patriotism and the best people and faces around.

“I believe that Hill City is the quintessence of the Fourth of July vibes that I would want to experience as a tourist,” she said. “We are looking forward to yet another celebration of our nation’s independence here in Hill City. We invite everyone to watch or participate in the parade. ”

The chamber is still accepting parade entries and anyone interested can email Loder at director@hillcitysd.com or assist@hillcitysd.com to obtain a form. 

At 2 p.m., the chamber is hosting an Old-Fashioned Pie and Ice Cream social at the Hill City Center. This is a location change from previous years. 

“We opted to move the event to the Hill City Center in hopes of keeping people in town to shop, eat and enjoy all that we have to offer in this beautiful city. We are hopeful this move will keep people around until they head out for fireworks displays in places like Custer,” Loder said. 

The free social features homemade pies baked and donated by local church groups, ice cream and a live musical performance by RBG, Roy Hendrickson’s band. Hendrickson is a 2019 South Dakota Country Hall of Fame inductee and a local Custer musician. Hendrickson has a 50-year career in music and infuses humor into his performances. He is an expert guitarist, bassist and harmonica musician playing everything from Western, country, country Western, country swing,’50s and gospel.

The Old-Fashioned Pie and Ice Cream social will also feature children’s activities.

On July 5, besides visiting the brick and mortar merchants in the two towns, those looking to shop can check out Hill City’s 2025 Star Spangled Craft and Vendor Fair. Currently, there are 22 vendors selling everything from goat milk soaps, holistic skincare, beeswax candles, handmade jewelry, clothing and handmade leather items. Vendors are coming not only from the Black Hills but as far away as Nebraska and Wyoming.

Organizer Stefanie Doaty said there is a lot of variety in this year’s show, which begins at 9 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m. inside the Boys and Girls Club gymnasium, the Hill City Center and outside in the parking area between the two buildings. Admission is free.

The vendor show and sale will also give people an opportunity to buy rubber duck tickets for the Hill City Lions Club annual Rubber Duck Race which happens Aug. 30.

“Along with our entire community, our summer visitors eagerly anticipate this event, and we are so happy that they choose to experience Hill City with us on that special day and weekend,” Loder said.