Summer Festivals in South Dakota

South Dakota brings its distinctive heritage and landscape to the festival circuit with events that will get people on their feet, either for dancing or climbing toward the sky. If you are looking for a truly unique adventure, look not further than Crazy Horse this summer.

The most popular organized hike in the United States, with up to fifteen thousand hikers, the Crazy Horse Volksmarch, June 2^nd and 3^rd offers participants a once yearly chance to hike up the dirt trails and gravel work roads to get a close-up look at the face of the Crazy Horse, the world's largest in-progress sculpture. The hike is weather dependent, and the trail rises five hundred feet up the mountain, so it is not for the weak of heart. The average length of the hike is between two and four hours. The Laughing Water restaurant at Crazy horse will open for breakfast at 6 a.m., The Indian Museum of North America, Sculptor's Studio, Home Workshop, and Cultural Center will all be open during the event, and the twin theaters in the Orientation Center will be playing Dynamite & Dreams, a short film about the sculpting. If you have the guts to participate, get the info here.

There's gold in them thar hills. At least there used to be enough to make it worth flocking to the area in droves. Recapture that entrepreneurial spirit at the Gold Discovery Days, July 27 - 29, 2007 in Custer. A hot air balloon rally, a car show, a volleyball tournament, a fun run, an art and crafts festival, a parade, and activities for the kids make this a great family event. Find out more about this festival at http://www.custersd.com/

The Buffalo Chip Festival at the Buffalo Chip Campground in Sturgis takes place August 3^rd through 11^th. The daytime events include food, booths and activities, but they are just a warm up for the nigh time concerts. Performances by Heart, Montgomery Gentry, Blue Oyster Cult, Nickelback, ZZ Top, The Beach Boys, Styx, and more bring the gift of great music to the state early in August. Find out about the performances, and how you can get tickets for the shows at http://www.buffalochip.com/

Celebrating the corn harvest in the most appropriate place, The World's Only Corn Palace, Mitchell, SD hosts the Corn Palace Festival August 22^nd through 26^th. This six-day event offers carnival rides and games, entertainment on the freedom stage, and plenty of food and merchandise. It's a family friendly good time in the world of corn. Find out more at http://www.cornpalacefestival.com/

The Gathering of the Clans offers up fun for the entire family. The festivities take place in Rapid City, South Dakota's Memorial Park from August 31 - September 2 this year. Celtic music and dance, pipe & drum bands, traditional heavy athletics, clan & heritage tents, children's games, Celtic foods and marketplace are what is in store you for. Visit http://dakotaclans.com/ for more details.