Monday, Jul 3, 2006
A full schedule of cultural events is underway at Mount Rushmore as thousands of visitors stream into the memorial for the Independence Day celebration. Most visitors are eagerly anticipating the 9:15 patriotic fireworks display; however, the musical performances and military flyovers are certainly part of the celebration.
“Independence Day is an occasion to reflect on the diverse roots of this great country and celebrate our common ideals as the free and democratic United States of America,” said memorial superintendent Gerard Baker. “The Independence Day Celebration at Mount Rushmore is dedicated to all of our veterans and active duty military men and women who have fought for our freedoms.”
Musical performances range from popular oldies songs performed by the Hill City Slickers to contemporary Native American sounds from Brulé. Children’s entertainer Phil Baker will get the kids dancing at 4 o’clock in the amphitheater. And don’t miss the energetic blues performance by Brandon Sprauge. A cappella group Tonic sol-fa will sing at 6 o’clock. These and many other performances will be sure to please the crowd.
At 8 o’clock visitors will feel the rumble of a B-1 Bomber from Ellsworth Air Force Base thundering through the sky. Earlier in the day, visitors will see an F-16 flyover and a B-52 flyover. Patriotic tributes and a flag folding ceremony will occur right before the fireworks are scheduled to launch.
The parking garage filled at 9:30 a.m. Since then, only as vehicles leave the garage are an equal number of vehicles allowed in. As of 1 o’clock, vehicles were parked along Highway 244 all the way to Horsethief Lake on the west side of the memorial and to the memorial’s boundary near the Keystone Wye on Highway 244 east. Visitors approaching the memorial on foot are reminded to drink plenty of water, wear sunscreen, and stay out of the sun whenever possible. The Red Cross has a rest stations with water available about half-way up the hill from both the Keystone and Hill City sides of the mountain. -NPS-
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