FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 9, 2004

CONTACT: Mark Schilling (605) 995-8427

Polka Devotees Head to Corn Palace

PIERRE, S.D. – Polka enthusiasts will dance the night away at the Corn Palace Polka Festival, Sept. 17-19, in Mitchell.

The festival features two floors of fun where visitors can dance favorites like the Dozing Dog, Overcoat and Green Meadow polkas. Five bands including Barefoot Becky, the Top Notchmen and the Bruce Bradley Band provide tunes that keep the dancers spinning. Friday and Saturday, the music begins at noon and continues until 11 p.m. Sunday begins at 10 a.m. with a Polka Mass and Parade of Flags, followed by more dancing, noon-8 p.m. 

“The Corn Palace Polka Festival has it all – great music, acoustics and dancing and a friendly atmosphere,” said Mark Schilling, Corn Palace director. “Visitors will have the kind of experience that keeps them coming back.”

Call (605) 995-8427 or visit www.TravelSD.com for a schedule of activities. 

The Corn Palace Polka Festival has been designated a “Great Event” by the South Dakota Office of Tourism. With that designation, the office provides assistance to event coordinators and creates and funds promotion for the event. For 2004, events that take place during the shoulder travel season are part of the campaign. The objective of the “Great Shoulder Events” campaign is to boost attendance at South Dakota events during the off-peak travel season and to increase economic impact in host communities. The Great Should Events campaign is one component of the 2010 Initiative, which includes doubling visitor spending to $1.2 billion by 2010.

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