Comments on: Planning for Mount Rushmore’s Fireworks Show http://www.blackhillstravelblog.com/planning-for-mount-rushmores-fireworks-show/ Exploring the Black Hills of South Dakota and Wyoming, with videos, photos, maps and experiences from young vacationers, couples and families. Wed, 07 Jan 2009 02:11:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.3 By: shawn http://www.blackhillstravelblog.com/planning-for-mount-rushmores-fireworks-show/#comment-932 shawn Sun, 29 Jun 2008 10:03:46 +0000 http://www.blackhillstravelblog.com/planning-for-mount-rushmores-fireworks-show/#comment-932 Wow? It's up to 30,000 now? When I worked for KNBN, we covered the fireworks every year. Even though we had our space reserved inside the monument, we had to arrive at 8am. There were already many, many visitors lining up for the show. By the first time the fireworks started, I understood why; aside from the variety of entertainment scheduled for the evening (everything from a children's entertainer to the Abbey Road Band), there was a patriotic camaraderie that I had never felt before. Everyone in the crowd seemed genuinely happy to be there. I would honestly attend the event annually and indefinitely if I didn't have to compete with tens of thousands of people every year. Then again, what better place to witness a celebration of the liberty our country stands for? The place would need a parking lot the size of Vermont to accommodate everyone who would like to attend the event in person. Wow? It’s up to 30,000 now? When I worked for KNBN, we covered the fireworks every year. Even though we had our space reserved inside the monument, we had to arrive at 8am. There were already many, many visitors lining up for the show. By the first time the fireworks started, I understood why; aside from the variety of entertainment scheduled for the evening (everything from a children’s entertainer to the Abbey Road Band), there was a patriotic camaraderie that I had never felt before. Everyone in the crowd seemed genuinely happy to be there.

I would honestly attend the event annually and indefinitely if I didn’t have to compete with tens of thousands of people every year. Then again, what better place to witness a celebration of the liberty our country stands for? The place would need a parking lot the size of Vermont to accommodate everyone who would like to attend the event in person.

]]> By: Kerouacky http://www.blackhillstravelblog.com/planning-for-mount-rushmores-fireworks-show/#comment-928 Kerouacky Fri, 27 Jun 2008 21:43:36 +0000 http://www.blackhillstravelblog.com/planning-for-mount-rushmores-fireworks-show/#comment-928 You're right. I had to dig around looking for a schedule of events. Finally found one in the same place you did, South Dakota Tourism. In addition to the 30,000 people on the grounds, there's no telling how many people watch the fireworks from the hillsides and valleys around Rushmore. I've been told that the Keystone Cemetery is a good spot from which to watch the show. I know it's a great place to see the memorial during the day. One year my wife and I drove to a friend's cabin west of Hill City to watch the show. We were a bit far away, however. From our vantage point, the fireworks show was something like you would see if you held an automobile sparkplug at arm's length. You’re right. I had to dig around looking for a schedule of events. Finally found one in the same place you did, South Dakota Tourism.

In addition to the 30,000 people on the grounds, there’s no telling how many people watch the fireworks from the hillsides and valleys around Rushmore.

I’ve been told that the Keystone Cemetery is a good spot from which to watch the show. I know it’s a great place to see the memorial during the day.

One year my wife and I drove to a friend’s cabin west of Hill City to watch the show. We were a bit far away, however. From our vantage point, the fireworks show was something like you would see if you held an automobile sparkplug at arm’s length.

]]>