In May, ABC’s “Good Morning America” declared South Dakota’s Badlands to be one of the wonders of America. Now, GMA is returning to the state, this time to Belle Fourche.
A film crew from the popular morning TV show will arrive at Belle Fourche on Aug. 14. The crew will shoot video of the Butte-Lawrence County Fair in Nisland, according to a story in the Rapid City Journal.
Then GMA will turn its attention to the Center of the Nation Monument in Belle Fourche. The crew will be on hand for the Aug. 16 ceremony dedicating the avenue of flags around the granite monument.
Belle Fourche, actually a spot north of town, is the geographic center of the nation. That means there are an equal number of square miles of U.S. soil to the north, south, east and west. The geographic center moved to its current Butte County spot in 1959 when Alaska and Hawaii were admitted into the union.
The Belle Fourche Area Chamber of Commerce had planned to do the ceremony June 14, on Flag Day. But at the time the Belle Fourche River — swelled by heavy rains — wasn’t cooperating. Because of the rising waters, construction crews couldn’t install the foundations for the flags and Riverwalk Bike Path.
By the way, the Butte-Lawrence County Fair is probably my favorite fair. It’s like the old fashioned county fairs. Lots of farm animals, home-baked goodies, prize vegetables and other things that make up the texture of rural life. No bigtime country stars or massive midways.
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That’s great that Belle is getting some national attention. With so many great spots in the West side of South Dakota, Belle Fourche gets lost in the shuffle sometimes. I might be a little biased, Belle Fourche born and raised, but I think there is a lot Belle has to offer that people just don’t know about.
Born in Rapid City and having been raised in Belle Fourche I feel very close to this area. I always wondered when the world would recognize Belle Fourche as the true center of the nation. Growing up people would move in to town and would always scoff at the idea. So now they will really know. What a great place to live and raise a family and still have a small town community feel to it. Congratulations Belle.