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

We all know that road trips can be long and boring.  Hours of driving can make anyone cranky and turn your fun family trip into a nightmare!  Luckily, the Interstate-29 Cultural Corridor in South Dakota offers plenty of fun and interesting stops that will make your road trip one to remember.

The I-29 Cultural Corridor in South Dakota is made up of individual organizations along I-29 starting in Sisseton in the northeast and ending in Vermillion in the southeast part of the state.  That’s more than 200 miles of your drive that provides much needed stops and an opportunity to learn about South Dakota!

Start your journey along the I-29 Cultural Corridor in Sisseton and visit the Sisseton Wahpeton College.  From there visit the Redlin Art Center in Watertown and the South Dakota Art Museum and South Dakota State Agricultural Heritage Museum in Brookings.  Other stops in Brookings include McCrory Gardens and the Schade Winery in Volga, which is just five miles from Brookings. 

Drive a little further and in Sioux Falls you will find the Horse Barn Arts Center, Siouxland Heritage Museums, The Outdoor Campus, Washington Pavilion of Arts & Science and the Pettigrew Museum. Other sites in Sioux Falls include the Sioux Falls Sculpture Walk and the Strawbale Winery located only a few miles north of Sioux Falls in Renner.

Finally, the Oscar Howe Gallery in Vermillion is a great way to conclude your experience on the I-29 Cultural Corridor.  Also consider visiting the National Music Musem, Spirit Mound and the Buffalo Run Winery or Valiant Vineyards while in Vermillion.

For more information about the I-29 Cultural Corridor and the attractions you can see, visit I-29 Cultural Corridor. Just a note – of course you can travel this route starting in Vermillion and going north to Sisseton as well.