Check out this summer update from our friends at the Tri-State Museum and Visitor Center in Belle Fourche. If you haven’t already, add a visit here to your summer or fall plans. There’s a reason it’s one of our favorite places for kids in the Black Hills.
It’s been a busy summer at the Tri-State Museum and Visitor Center in Belle Fourche. We’ve had visitors from all 50 states and some 16 foreign countries – and that was just in June and July!
Meanwhile, we’ve added a ton of new things to see and do. Our tipi had its grand opening ceremony on July 23rd with presentations, a shawl dance to mark the occasion and refreshments that included pumpkin bars with little paper tipis in them.
The tipi was painted by local Lakota artist Pixie Haugen. The ceremony included select audience members coming up to dip their hands in paint. They then put their hands on the tipi. Their handprints represented the four colors of the four directions. The tipi is now open for visitation – and will likely be up all year long.
Our “Fire! Fire!” mini exhibit is in place. It features storyboards about the history of firefighting and firefighting equipment. There’s also photos, artifacts, a touchscreen quiz, a free take-home packet for families, books to read and even a firefighter’s hat for kids to try on! Firefighters who visit the exhibit are encouraged to tell staff, so that their photo can be taken in front of the exhibit. “Fire! Fire!” is up until November.
Our August 21st from 2-4 p.m. Family Fun Day will be “Wonderful Rainforests.” There’ll be an educational film about animals of the rainforest, plus a craft, free take-home workbook and a drawing for the book “Amazon Rainforests” by William B. Rice. Admission is $2 per person. We’ll serve free refreshments. Tourists with kids enjoy these Family Fun Days as well as area people.
The big event of August will be the 3rd Annual Belle Fourche Sweet Corn Festival on Friday, August 19th from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday, August 20th from 1 to 6 p.m. There’ll be a country band on stage Friday night, plus a beer tent. Also, corn will be cooked and provided for free, courtesy of Ron Keil Corn. We’ll have kid’s activities, including a bouncy castle, train rides, face painting, lawn games and corn painting on the front, back and side lawn of the museum and visitor center. Food and craft vendors, too!
On Saturday, the fun continues with the kids’ activities, plus a cooking contest, a performance by the Center of the Nation Brass Quintet and a short play by the Tri-State Performers. Call us at 723-1200 to get the full details and a schedule!
Coming in September: A First Saturday Brunch on September 3rd at 10 p.m. featuring photographer Jodie Baxendale, “Documentarist of the West,” plus a September 18th at 2 p.m. Family Fun Day “Colorful Chalk Art,” with an appearance by a Black Hills chalk artist.
Our elegant autumn tea takes place September 24th. This year’s theme is “Dream Vacations.”
Want to be on our mailing list for events, activities? Call us at 605-723-1200 or email kristi@bellefourche.org