Well, November and most of December has come and gone. The Presidents from Mount Rushmore were busy in November with their trip to the Big Apple. Here’s a nice recap video of where they went and how much fun they had. Check it out!

We have also announced a winner of the Mount Rushmore’s American Pride Vacation giveaway. Becky has accepted the prize and will be traveling to South Dakota sometime in 2012 with her husband and two children exploring the beauty of this great state.

Thanks for following along as the Presidents visited New York City. Next year is the third and final year of South Dakota Dept. of Tourism’s partnership with Macy’s, we look forward to revisiting this campaign then.

Lights twinkle and children of all ages glee with delight at each winter at Falls Park in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The park is decorated in thousands and thousands of lights, and garland galore.

The park is decorated and lit up nightly from Saturday, November 19 through January 8, 2012.

Another great event associated with the Winter Wonderland at Falls Park, is the Twilight Flights hosted by Strawbale Winery, located in the neighboring community of Renner.

Twilight Flights is a magical evening filled with great food, and of course, great wine. First, visitors will enjoy hor’douvres and wine tasting at the winery, then hop into a helicopter to be whisked away to view the spectacular light show at Falls Park and a great view of Sioux Falls. And last but not least, upon returning to the winery, you’ll enjoy desserts and more delicious wine!

For more information about the festivities at Falls Park, contact the Sioux Falls Convention and Visitors Bureau via their website.

For information and reservation information for the Twilight Flights event at Strawbale Winery, visit their website.

Earlier this summer I was at the Historic Prairie Village, just a few miles west of Madison, South Dakota. We heard all about the great turnout they had at their first pumpkin train event last fall. They were telling stories of sending workers all across the county picking up every pumpkin in sight to fill the needs of all the visitors they had on the pumpkin train. What dedication! 

Prairie Village Pumpkin Train - Photo Courtesy Prairie Village

This year, their event is planned to be bigger and better. It’s Hobo Marlin’s Pumpkin Train! Children and adults can jump aboard the train and ride it out to the pumpkin patch, pick out their pumpkins, and ride the train back. Of course, you’ll have to take some time to explore the Village. 

In addition to the train ride, the family will be able to enjoy donuts, cider and games at the Village. It’s a great family event, and what a unique way to go and find your pumpkin – on a train! I love it!

Event details:

WHAT: Hobo Marlin’s Pumpkin Train
WHEN: Saturday, October 8 from11 a.m.-4 p.m.
WHERE: HistoricPrairie Village (2 miles west ofMadison on Highway 34)HOW MUCH: Donation of $5 is suggested for children 12 and under. Teens and adults are free. Proceeds from the event will go to restoring the Emmanuel Chapel Car.

Inside of Emmanuel Chapel Car

Emmanuel Chapel Car

Looking for an evening away from your busy, hectic life? Travel to Renner, SD to Strawbale Winery for the 5th annual Quilts & Vines event.

Stroll through the idyllic vineyard grounds at Strawbale Winery with hundreds of colorful quilts draping grape vines and hanging throughout the winery.

Walking through the vineyards you will be amazed at the detail and craftsmanship that goes into each quilt. The quilts serve as canvases for different scenes and themes depicted on each quilt.

During the event you will also be able to enjoy wine tasting, food, and musical entertainment, provided by Poker Alice.

Wines that will be available for tasting are produced with only South Dakota-grown fruits, berries, and grapes.

This event will take place August 13, 2011, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event costs $12 at the door or $10 in advance. You are able to purchase tickets in advance at Heirloom Creations, 3800 S. Western Ave., Sioux Falls, S.D., and Strawbale Winery, 47215 257 St., Renner, SD, and Lewis Drug Stores.

While you are enjoying this unique event you will also be helping those in need. A portion of the ticket prices will go to support the local Project Linus chapter, an organization that gives blankets to children that have been traumatized by illness or abuse, and Camp Bring It On, a camp for kids with cancer.

Strawbale Winery will not be allowing parking on their grounds for this event. However, there will be a free shuttle service provided from the designated parking lot located at the Renner/Crooks exit 86 off Interstate 29.

For more information on this event, please visit the Quilts & Vines website.
Take an hour or two away from your hectic life and take the time to enjoy the taste of South Dakota.

Deadwood, South Dakota has played host to one of South Dakota’s premier events for 88 years. It’s the Days of ’76 celebration! The town of Deadwood is a revived Old West and gold mining town that still commemorates the city’s first pioneers.

Days of '76 Rodeo

In 1876, the gold filled Dakota Territory was invaded by those seeking to go from rags to riches overnight. Gamblers and gunslingers like Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane, Seth Bullock and Poker Alice made legends for themselves on these very streets.

The rough and tumble past comes alive during the Days of ’76. Visitors will enjoy one of South Dakota’s largest rodeos during the five-day event. Steer roping, timed events, rodeo slack, barrel racing and other rodeo performances are all part of this unique sport. The Days of ’76 Rodeo has been named the PRCA Small Outdoor Rodeo of the Year and PRCA Midsize Rodeo of the Year several times and never disappoints.

There is also a Days of ’76 parade on two days of the event. The parade travels through Deadwood’s historic downtown.

This year, the Days of ’76 celebration will take place July 26-30. Come on out to Deadwood to enjoy a festival celebrating the past!

Nothing screams summer like sitting out in a lawn listening to some of your favorite music. South Dakota seems to know how to do it right. There are dozens of opportunities to take in some good tunes throughout the summer in South Dakota.

Of course, Sturgis knows how to throw a good music festival. The Buffalo Chip and other venues in the area play host to several big name musicians every year. It’s a week long music festival! 2011 rally dates are August 8-14. Enjoy popular artists like Toby Keith, Lynard Skynyrd, Styx, Def Leppard and so many more.

If the Sturgis environment isn’t for you, there are a variety of other opportunities as well. The Aberdeen Pig-Out is July 8-9, 2011. It’s a two day music festival that features local and regional talent coupled with nationally recognized bands. And yes, you’ll be able to “pig-out” at the festival with some great choices of food vendors.

JazzFest in Sioux Falls is an annual blues and jazz festival that has become a must attend event. It’s a three-day outdoor musical festival that has two stages going. Best of all – it’s free. Last year, an estimated 75,000 people enjoyed this festival. This year the event will take place July 14-16 at Yankton Trail Park.

Each summer, the Redlin Art Center hosts a free outdoor concert. This year, visitors can hear Three Dog Night on August 6 on the grounds of the Redlin Art Center. Seating on the grounds is first come, first serve. Bring your own lawn chairs or a blanket and take in this great concert.

If you’re not coming until later in the year, Deadwood Jam is a great event held every fall in the historic town. This year, the event will take place September 16-17. Deadwood Jam has quite the history, with 2011 being its 21 year of festivities. You won’t be disappointed in the atmosphere and number of things to do in this unique setting.

Rapid City has dedicated Thursday nights in the summer months from 5:30-8:30 to enjoying good music, food and fun for the whole family. Check out their website for a detailed schedule.

This was just a highlight of some of the great music events that are hosted in South Dakota. Of course, summer wouldn’t be summer without fairs and festivals. Here’s a quick listing of other places to enjoy great music in South Dakota this summer:

At Festivals:
Corn Palace Festival, Mitchell
Wild Bill Days, Deadwood
KRROFest, Sioux Falls
Empire Rock Fest, Sioux Falls
Sioux River Folk Festival, Newton Hills State Park
LifeLight Music Festival in Sioux Falls

At Fairs Several Nights of Music:
Brown County Fair, Aberdeen
Sioux Empire Fair, Sioux Falls
State Fair, Huron
Central States Fair, Rapid City

Father’s Day is right around the corner. I never know what to buy my dad for a gift, but often, I think that it is the time together that my dad has always valued most. Why not head up to the northeast corner of South Dakota with dad and give him the simple gift of time spent together? The memories will last forever!

Dads have all different interests. But in this area of the state, there is something for every dad. Fishing and boating, bird watching, hiking, camping, history and unique events all can be found in this region.

Maybe your dad likes to race? Why not head over to Wylie Park and Campground. Race dad around Wylie Thunder Road on go-karts – remember, since its Father’s Day, you can let him win, just once! The whole family won’t believe their eyes when the volcano at Thunder Mountain Mini-Golf explodes shooting flames 30 feet into the air!

If he’s into history, you can’t go wrong by taking him to Fort Sisseton State Historical Park. This military outpost was established in 1864, after the nearby Dakota Conflict in western Minnesota. It was named Fort Sisseton after a nearby tribe of Native Americans. It is one of the nation’s most well-preserved frontier forts.

If your dad is an outdoorsman, there is no shortage of things to do with him in northeast South Dakota. The fishing is amazing and there are hundreds of campgrounds in the area. The whole family can enjoy Big Stone Lake with activities like fishing, swimming, camping and hiking. Other great lakes to enjoy include Lake Thompson and Lake Poinsett.

So, what are you waiting for? Start planning a get-away with dad; he’ll be surprised and elated to begin an adventure with his family. Time spent together can be an everlasting gift.

Thousands of wheels and thousands of watts of horsepower make up one of South Dakota’s most powerful events. People come from across the nation to participate in Huron’s Wheel Jam, a celebration of cars, semi-trucks, and motorcycles.

Located at the South Dakota Fairgrounds in Huron, Wheel Jam is a haven for vehicle enthusiasts. The three day event will take place June 3-5, 2011. Attendees will enjoy a dynamic engine semi-truck brake competition, classic car showcase, motorcycle burn-out, vehicle parade, car audio competition, and at night a semi-truck light show. Wheel Jam concludes with an award ceremony for the different competitions throughout the event.

In addition to all of the wheels and vehicle enthusiasts, Wheel Jam also provides entertainment for the entire family. There is live music, including a battle of the bands, a poker run, various street vendors, homemade chili challenge, farmers market, and the Original South Dakota BBQ Championships which features a public tasting.

For more information on Wheel Jam click here.

South Dakota’s Great Places weekly press release series is a project of the South Dakota Department of Tourism, designed to highlight places in South Dakota that are unique to travelers and residents alike. Click on the special “South Dakota’s Great Places” link at www.MediaSD.com to access the complete list of articles.

The First Lady of South Dakota, Linda Daugaard, announced today that she and Gov. Dennis Daugaard are opening their home, the Governor’s Mansion to the public for tours this summer.

Governor's Mansion

“The Governor’s Mansion belongs to the people of South Dakota, ” said Mrs. Daugaard. “Dennis and I are honored to stay in such a beautiful home, and we want every South Dakotan to enjoy it.” Out-of-state guests are welcome to tour the home this summer as well – it’s open to anyone!

The 14,000-square-foot home was completed in 2005. It was constructed by relying entirely on private donations. The home sits on the east shore of Capitol Lake, it includes living quarters for the Governor’s family and additional space for hosting official functions. The previous Governor’s residence was built in 1937 and was moved to clear space for the new home.

The tours will be conducted weekly on Wednesday’s in June, July, and August. The 30-minute tours, for groups up to 30 people, will begin at 10:00 a.m. CDT, 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 2 p.m., and will be conducted by volunteers, including the First Lady.

If you’re interested in seeing the South Dakota Governor’s Mansion on a tour please contact the Pierre Chamber of Commerce at 605-224-7361.

Looking to have a relaxing weekend getaway with your girlfriends? Stop your search in Vermillion, South Dakota. Vermillion is not only home to the University of South Dakota (USD) Coyotes, but also home to the perfect weekend away.

Check into Valiant Vineyards at the Buffalo Run Resort located on the edge of town with a view of the scenic Missouri River. After checking into one of the creative themed rooms featuring an in-suite jacuzzi, head to the winery portion of Valiant Vineyards to take part in a complimentary tour and wine tasting. The tour features a tour of the winery, a demonstration of their winemaking and is topped off with your choice of three different wines to taste.

Valiant Vineyard Wine Tasting

You can enjoy dinner at one of Vermillion’s downtown dining options that are both elegant and affordable. Red Steakhouse is an elegant dining option that features fresh seafood and steak. The food is paired with a rich atmosphere in the main dining area that is commonly referred to as “the vault” as the building was formally a bank. Another option is Mona Lisi’s located right off Main Street. Mona Lisi’s offers a wide variety of authentic Italian dishes.

Staying busying in Vermillion will not be a problem. During the day head over to the stunning National Music Museum on the campus of USD. This museum features more than 15,000 instruments including Bill Clinton’s saxophone, one of Johnny Cash’s favorite guitars and instruments by Antonio Stradivari. When you are finished touring the largest collection of musical instruments in the United States, take a walk through USD’s picturesque campus.

Grab a cup of coffee, an espresso, or latte at Raziel’s for your late morning pick-me-up and stroll through unique stores located in downtown such as Ava Morgan and Sharing the Dream. If you are feeling adventurous head to Spirit Mound to see one of the most significant Lewis and Clark sites located in South Dakota. Or obtain a day pass to USD new Wellness Center and climb the nearly 4 story indoor rock climbing wall.

For lunch try the new Café Brule where the menu features an American-French fusion inspired menu that has something which will be sure to please any palette. Or try Chae’s affordable Chinese lunch buffet that has a variety of traditional Chinese appetizers, soups, and entrées.

Getting away for a girls night or girls weekend doesn’t have to mean you travel far or spend a fortune. Look into Vermillion, South Dakota to help you couple the relaxation with fun that you’ve been looking for.