South Dakota is a summer festival of culture

By James D. Hagen, Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Tourism

South Dakota visitors love our cultural attractions and art destinations—and so do our state’s families who enjoy a summer vacation close to home! It’s not just Mount Rushmore that draws travelers, but an incredible array of museums, theaters, galleries, festivals and powwows. Our cultural heritage especially enriches the summer months as we celebrate the past and boldly explore our future through the artistic vision of our people.

Summer is a great time for all of us to discover the cultural treasure trove that keeps visitors flooding into our state. There’s just so much to do in South Dakota! Nearly every summer weekend features an arts festival somewhere in our state, from Aberdeen to Edgemont and from Roslyn to Rapid City. And the best thing about our festivals is the people. Thousands of volunteers, all across South Dakota, make community festivals and weekend celebrations possible as they share their love of hometown and their enthusiasm for throwing a great community get-together with each other and their guests.

This summer, take the whole family on voyages of discovery that will create memories to last a lifetime. Take a trip to the Black Hills and experience Crazy Horse Memorial. Drive to Brookings to see the South Dakota Art Museum and experience our state’s fascinating Children’s Museum. See the internationally acclaimed collection of instruments at the National Music Museum in Vermillion—or the Oscar Howe murals in Mobridge. You’ll find easy directions to those attractions and dozens more at www.travelsouthdakota.com.

Every year, from the northern Black Hills at Spearfish to the Missouri riverside at Yankton, tens of thousands of people from across the state and around the nation flock to our arts fairs and festivals throughout the summer. Join them— you’ll see neighbors and make new friends in a relaxed, uniquely South Dakota setting.

Cultural tourism is a vital part of our economy, creating jobs, prosperity and lifelong learning in a way that is fun and familyfriendly. We work hard to invite people from our neighboring states to enjoy summer cultural opportunities in South Dakota. We invite you to join them and discover for yourself why we are so proud of our state and its cultural community.