Black Hills Heritage Festival adds extra day to celebration

By Sarah Beu, Journal staff | Thursday, July 03, 2008

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The Black Hills Heritage Festival is adding one more day to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday this year.

Starting Thursday, July 3, from 4 p.m. to midnight, and running through Sunday, activities are scheduled at Memorial ParkThe fireworks display will be Friday, July 4, at dusk.

Festival-goers can choose from a diverse variety of activities throughout the four-day celebration, including Middle Eastern music groups, booths and vendors, and the Roo Ranch show. Most people will find something to do or see.

Activities for children include face painting, tossing water balloons, jousting and a show by the Roo Ranch.

The children's activities will be between the main stage and the food vendors.

Bands, located on the main stage, will be playing throughout the afternoons and evenings with genres including rap, country western, gospel (on Sunday) and rock 'n' roll. Other tribute bands will perform music by Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd.

An acoustic stage will be set up by the food vendors.

Margaritas and a variety of South Dakota wines are new to the beer tent and garden, which will be an open area by the main stage.

A service will be provided to give people a safe ride home by asking in the main tent.

Heritage Festival president Steve Dary said there will be more activities, and people should come check them all out. Dary noted that the festival is free through donations and sponsorships.

Even though the committee started planning this event in February -- later than normal -- Dary is excited about some of the scheduled bands and speakers. Marci Mitchell, a country singer from Nashville, Tenn., will perform at 9:30 p.m. Sunday, and nationally recognized Retro Bill will speak to families at 11:30 a.m. Saturday.

"Come down; check it out, and you won't be disappointed," Dary said.

A highlight of events

Thursday, July 3

Main stage entertainment

* 4 p.m. - midnight: Fairbanks Blue, Cavanaugh Park, Doe Boy & Minnie, Switch, Abyss and K.O.D.

Children's activities:

* 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.: Face painting, nine-hole golf, jumping castle, sidewalk art

Acoustic stage entertainment

* 4 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.: Steve Thorpe, acoustic songwriter; Paul Peterson, acoustic guitar; James Van Nuys & Scott Grote

Friday

Main stage entertainment

* 10 a.m. - midnight: Harmonica Visions, a children's pow wow, Black Hills Gypsy Belly Dancers, Doctor K and The Shantays, The Brandon Sprague Blues Band, The Suspects, community fireworks at dusk, Show Four Sticks.

Children's activities

* 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.: various activities

Acoustic stage entertainment

* noon - 8:30 p.m.: Shawn Parker; Skeeter Country Band; Afferrent, acoustic duo; Rooted Souls; Scott Bellew, acoustic guitar; Marnie Cooke.

Saturday

Main stage entertainment

* 11:30 a.m. - midnight: The Retro Bill Family Show, Hot Shot Dance Team, Tombstone Shadow, Cavanaugh Park, Rhythm Method, The Reddmen, and Another Brick

Children's activities

* 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.: The Character Counts! Carnival (noon), the Roo Ranch Show (1:00 p.m.) and other activities.

Acoustic stage show

* Starting at noon: Marav, Gypsy/Middle Eastern group; Amanda Conway, acoustic guitar; Mike Vinton, acoustic guitar; Scott Grote; Jolly Lama's, four-piece acoustic group

Sunday

Noon - 1 p.m.: pie and ice cream social fundraiser

Main stage entertainment

* Noon - midnight: D'Vine Savor, Central Cheerleaders, Standard Time, Crash Wagon, Marci Mitchell

Children's activities

* 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.: the Roo Ranch Show (1 p.m.), water-balloon toss and other activities.

Acoustic stage entertainment

* Noon - 8:30 p.m.: Marav, Gypsy/Middle Eastern group; Skeeter Country Band; Landslide Unplugged, three-piece acoustic.

If you go

What: Black Hills Heritage Festival

When: Thursday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to midnight

Where: Memorial Park, near Rushmore Plaza Civic Center

Cost: Free

More: Go to www.bhheritagefest.com or call 605-209-4339