FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 21, 2014

CONTACT: Jeff Mammenga, Media Coordinator, (605) 773-6000, Jeff.Mammenga@state.sd.us

Entertainment for Cultural Heritage Center Holiday Open House Announced

PIERRE, S.D. – A full afternoon of entertainment is planned for the annual holiday open house of the South Dakota State Historical Society on Friday, Nov. 28, at the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre.

Following is the schedule of Pierre-Fort Pierre entertainment performing:

• 12-12:30 p.m. CST: Gloria Merriam -- piano
• 12:30-1 p.m.: Pierre Youth Orchestra
• 1-1:30 p.m.: Kim Smith & Shauna Letellier, violin; Priscilla Hofer, piano
• 1:30-2 p.m.: Priscilla Hofer – piano
• 2-2:30 p.m.: Bob & Laurie Gill – guitar/vocal
• 2:30-3 p.m.: Pat & Jen Baker – guitar/vocal
• 3-3:30 p.m.: Kate Nelson and Joyce Goehring – vocal/piano
• 3:30-4:30 p.m.: Plains Folk singing group

“The entertainment is always an important part of our holiday open house,” said Jay D. Vogt, director of the State Historical Society. “We encourage people to bring guests, come up to the Cultural Heritage Center and support their favorite performers – or all of them.”

In addition to the entertainment, the event features holiday treats, living-history demonstrations and free admission to the museum, featuring the new exhibit “Play Ball! The National Pastime in South Dakota.” Laurie Ingalls Wilder’s “Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Autobiography,” the newly-released book from the South Dakota Historical Society Press, will be available. People can shop for unique gifts in the Heritage Store. And Santa Claus will be on hand!

People are encouraged to bring canned goods as a free-will donation for the Pierre Food Pantry and dropping them off as they enter the building.

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The South Dakota State Historical Society is a division of the Department of Tourism. The Department of Tourism is comprised of Tourism, the South Dakota Arts Council and the State Historical Society. The Department is led by Secretary James D. Hagen. The State Historical Society, an Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, is headquartered at the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre. The center houses the society’s world-class museum, the archives, and the historic preservation, publishing and administrative/development offices. Call (605) 773-3458 or visit www.history.sd.gov for more information. The society also has an archaeology office in Rapid City; call (605) 394-1936 for more information.