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Office of Gov. Dennis Daugaard
500 E. Capitol Ave.
Pierre, S.D. 57501
605-773-3212
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, September 8, 2014
CONTACT: Jim Soyer at 605-773-5689 or Jim.Soyer@state.sd.us
Pierre to Mark South Dakota’s 125th Anniversary
PIERRE, S.D. – The city of Pierre is hosting a picnic on Sunday, Sept. 21, to celebrate South Dakota’s 125th Anniversary. The event will begin at 4 p.m. CDT with family activities in Steamboat Park and will conclude around 7:30 p.m. after a special performance by the Capital City Band.
“We wanted to bring the community together to mark this special anniversary,” said Pierre Mayor Laurie Gill. “This is a family friendly event, where we can enjoy a little fun, mixed in with some history and music to celebrate this important time in our state.”
Several organizations are partnering with the city. The Pierre Fire Department will set the stage by displaying a large 125th flag as people enter the park. The historic Stolten Fire Engine will be on hand and fire crews will give rides on some of the other engines. Starting at 4 p.m. little ones can get their groove on at the dance party sponsored by Rawlins Library. The South Dakota Discovery Center will host a giant bubble making station including hula hoop, string and straw and body bubbles kids can stand inside. Kids can also play in a bounce house while adults try their hand at cornhole.
The free picnic will begin at 5 p.m. City crews will have picnic tables available. Families are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets as there may be a need for additional seating on the grass.
Historical speaker John Timm will take the amphitheater stage at 5:30 p.m. John is known across the state for his portrayal of Gov. Arthur C. Mellette, South Dakota’s first governor. Timm will speak about the struggles and triumphs of early statehood. He is sponsored by the Pierre Area Chamber of Commerce through a grant from the South Dakota Humanities Council, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities
The Capital City Band is the finale of the picnic. The band was organized 125 years ago when Pierre was vying to become the State Capitol.
The community picnic is one of several local events planned to commemorate South Dakota’s 125th Anniversary. Other events include:
Sept. 12 – 15 SD 125th Birthday Party Volksmarch. Five walks are planned over the weekend by the three South Dakota walking clubs. No registration required. The fee is $3 per person for each walk. A meet and greet birthday party will be held at 7 p.m. at the Pierre Area Chamber of Commerce Community Room.
Sept. 13 SD 125th Anniversary Amazing History Race and Road Rally. Fashioned after the hit TV competition, The Amazing Race, teams of two will start in their respective tourism regions and collect clues about South Dakota history and destinations. The finish line is the AmericInn Hotel in Fort Pierre. Registration is $100 per team. Visit fortpierretourism.com/upcoming-events.htm for more information.
Sept. 13 – 14 Dakota Western Heritage Festival. The Festival will celebrate history at the Expo Center in Fort Pierre with live music, poetry, crafts and demonstrations. A special photography slideshow will showcase South Dakota's rich history, beautiful landscape and pioneer spirit. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Call 605-222-0079.
Sept. 20 125th Statehood Anniversary Wagon Train. The Capitol building is the final stop on the wagon train. Horses and wagons will ride into town in the morning and reach the Capitol at noon. On Sept. 19, the wagon trail will camp at Farms Island. Go to 125.sd.gov/wagontrain.aspx to learn more.
Sept. 23 Cedar Hill Cemetery Tour. The Pierre/Fort Pierre Historic Preservation will host tours of the Cedar Hill Cemetery from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Buses will load at the SD Casey Tibbs Rodeo Center. No charge to attend.
Oct. 31 First Ladies Ball. Celebrate South Dakota’s 125th with dinner and dancing at the Best Western Ramkota Hotel. Doors open at 5 p.m., dinner and dancing to follow at 6 p.m. Ticket information to be released soon. Semi-formal to formal attire.
Nov. 1 South Dakota State Capitol Events. A rededication of the newly refurbished First Ladies Inaugural Gown exhibit is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on the first floor. The unveiling of the three latest statues of former governors by the Trail of Governors is scheduled for 1 p.m. in the rotunda. The South Dakota Symphony Orchestra will play in the Capitol Rotunda to celebrate 125 years at 7 p.m. that evening. The event will also include the rededication and lighting ceremony for the newly restored stained glass in the Capitol.
Nov. 1 Quilting Demonstration. Ladies of Stitchers quilting club are organizing a quilting demonstration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lutheran Memorial Church. The public is invited to help make quilted ornaments which will be used to decorate one of the Capitol Christmas Trees later that month. The theme of the Capital Christmas Trees is 125 Years of Christmas in South Dakota.
Nov. 2 125th Events at the Cultural Heritage Center. The Cultural Heritage Center is celebrating South Dakota’s 125th with an open house and Make and Take ornament making.
Nov. 6 Chamber Annual Celebration. The Pierre Area Chamber of Commerce will celebrate 125 years by highlighting local businesses which have stood the test of time. There will be a “Fight for the Capitol” reception featuring historical re-enactments. South Dakota Magazine publisher Bernie Hunhoff is the keynote speaker and will share local stories from his book “South Dakota 125: A Pictorial History.” Cost is $35 per person or $280 per table of eight. The event will be held at the Best Western Ramkota Hotel and Conference Center.
For more information about the 125th Anniversary events, visit the Pierre Area Chamber of Commerce website page at pierre.org and click on the “Calendar of Events.”
Information about other events around the state and creating a local committee is available at 125.sd.gov under the “Community Events” and “Celebration Communities” tabs.
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