MITCHELL — Happy birthday to you, America.

A series of events are planned in July to celebrate America 250, which is the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence being signed in 1776 and establishing America as separate from the crown of Great Britain. Some America birthday events are multi-day, and others include exhibitions on America that extend past Independence Day.

The below list of these events in South Dakota:

On Saturday, July 4, the Mitchell Exchange Club will put on a fireworks display on the north side of Lake Mitchell, starting at 9:45 p.m. The theme this year is “Red, White and Blue, Through and Through.”

Patrick Soukup, of the Mitchell Exchange Club, told the Mitchell Republic the fireworks show is perfectly timed with a radio broadcast on KMIT. Fireworks technician Paul Tol of P and J Pyrotechnics will have the fireworks display lined up with cables, charges and a computer. “He’s got the best view in the county,” Soukup said.

“He has everything loaded and ready to go, he just ties in the communication cables between pallets for the charges to fire at certain predetermined times throughout the 20 minute display,” Soukup said.

The show will have 12 pallets of pre-loaded canisters with fireworks. There is no reloading during the show, according to Soukup.

Republic file photo

On Friday, July 3, starting at 5 p.m., the First Fridays on Main Street by Mitchell Main Street and Beyond will feature an old school fire hydrant party with the Mitchell Fire Department, patriotic live music by the Layton Lee Band, and car show awards will also be given for red, white, and blue colored cars. Attendees are encouraged to wear their best red, white and blue outfits, and there’s something for the youth with a kids decorated bike contest.

Mitchell Main Street and Beyond Executive Director Elizabeth Luczak said her favorite part of last year’s celebration was watching the kids decorate their bikes.

“Letting kids decorate their bikes as red, white, and blue truly teaches the next generation how to really appreciate and celebrate their freedom on July 4, and just have fun with it,” Luczak said.

Republic file photo

On Saturday, July 18, the Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo will have its annual parade down Mitchell’s Main Street starting at 10:30 a.m. This year’s theme is “America 250: Red, White and Blue.” Floats will be judged on the categories of antique, horse drawn, humorous, youth, and best use of theme, among others.

On Thursday, July 2, Sioux Falls will host the Stars and Stripes Family Stroll at Arrowhead Park. Attendees must register for the event, which includes dressing up in red, white and blue.

On Friday, July 3, Downtown Sioux Falls Open Streets will have Phillips Avenue from Second Avenue to Fourth Avenue open from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. with shopping, activities, and live music. Also at 5 p.m., First Friday in Sioux Falls will have a Red, White and Blue Backyard Bash at Lloyd Landing. At 8 p.m. at Falls Park, take in the patriotic beauty of the Lighting of the Falls, and enjoy the colors of freedom.

On Saturday, July 4, the Sioux Falls Independence Day parade will start at 10 a.m. on Phillips Avenue, and the fireworks show will begin at 10 p.m. at the W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds. The pre-fireworks festivities start at 6 p.m. with live music, balloon twist show, and flyover.

On June 27 to June 28, the America-themed Rock the Country concert series will take place at the W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds.

Through Oct. 16, the Center for Western Studies on the campus of Augustana University will have “Still Becoming: America at 250,” an art exhibition featuring the many dimensions of the American story — its landscapes, peoples, histories, and evolving identities.

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On July 3, a larger fireworks display is planned at Mount Rushmore. This event is ticketed. Public lottery applications for tickets took place in April, but watch parties and overflow viewings are planned.

On July 1 to July 5, the Real America Birthday Bash will be held in downtown Rapid City, stretching from Main Street Square to Memorial Park. The event features live music, a drone show on July 2, a patriotic parade on July 3, and fireworks on the 4th. A full schedule of the birthday bash can be found on the visit Rapid City website.

On July 4, Aberdeen is hosting a “Spirit of ’76” downtown parade at 10:00 a.m., followed by an evening celebration at Wylie Park from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. The fireworks show is at dusk.

On July 4, Brookings starts out the day with a parade at 11 a.m., the Uncle Sam Jam at 6 p.m., and fireworks at 10 p.m.

On July 4, the America’s 250th Community Mosaic Mural will be revealed in Brookings on the north side of the VFW at 520 Main Avenue. The public art piece measures approximately 20 feet long and features a patriotic flag and eagle design. The mosaic is composed of 950 individual tiles, each hand-painted by Brookings-area residents, organizations, and volunteers during community painting parties.

South Dakota State University is hosting campus-wide events, including a historical exhibition on the nation’s legacy that opens in mid-June and has an extended public reception on Aug. 7.

On July 4, in Chamberlain, a patriotic parade will start at 11 a.m. at the Avenue of Flags. Daily from 1 to 5 p.m., through July 4, the large conference room at the Chamberlain Community Center will be a walk-through pop-up museum featuring military regalia, artifacts, and displays to celebrate America’s semiquincentennial. A Rock the Bluffs fireworks show is planned at dusk.

On July 4, Custer will hold a fireworks show at 9:30 p.m. at Pageant Hill in Custer. The event is free, and is part of a two-day festival running July 4 to July 5, starting at 10 a.m. with a classic small-town parade with local marching bands, vintage cars, and fire trucks.

On July 4, a parade through historic Deadwood will start at 3 p.m. The town is celebrating its 150th year. On July 4-5, at 1 p.m. each day, live music and entertainment will be held at Mr. Wu’s.

On July 5, a vintage “base ball” game will be held between Deadwood and Lead in celebration of both towns’ 150th anniversaries. The teams will play using 1877 to 1885 rules. The event at Mountain Top Field in Lead will begin at 10 a.m. Entertainment will be provided by the Northern Bills Brass Band. Following the game Lead will have a community potluck and BBQ.

On July 4, the Huron Independence Day parade starts at 10:30 a.m., a BBQ and vendor fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. will be held at Campbell Park. Fireworks are planned at two sites, Ravine Lake and Lake Byron. Both displays are expected to start by 10 p.m.

On July 4, the day’s events in Interior include a parade at 10 a.m., a car show at 11 a.m., a corn hole tournament at 1 p.m., triathlon rodeo at 5 p.m., and fireworks at 9 p.m.

On July 4, the Madison fireworks show will be at 10 p.m. at Prairie Village.

The 100th annual Fort Pierre Rodeo performances will be June 30 to July 4.

On July 3, there will be a boat parade and a concert by Wade Hayes.

On July 4, there will be the annual parade and a B-1 Bomber flyover, and the grand finale fireworks Saturday night.

On July 3, Platte will host a birthday party for America at 11:30 a.m. at North Park with free pork, water games, and kickball and volleyball. Fireworks will follow a 7:30 p.m. baseball game at Platte Baseball Field.

On July 4, the Independence Day parade starts at 10 a.m. and fireworks are to start at 10 p.m. at Redfield Lake.

On July 3, the Spearfish America 250th Parade starts at 2 p.m. at the Spearfish High School and continues down Main Street.

On July 4, the Watertown Independence Day Parade will be held in Downtown Watertown. Candy toss will start at 1:45 p.m. followed by the parade at 2 p.m. The parade will take place rain or shine. City of Watertown Fireworks will be held at dusk on July 4th at the Anza Soccer Complex.

On July 4, the fireworks display starts at 10 p.m at Riverside Park in Yankton. There will be a week-long celebration starting on June 29, with live music, historical presentations, family activities, free museum tours, patriotic performances, food vendors, and special programs for all ages.

The capsule will be buried in Philadelphia on July 4. Here’s a look at what each state contributed to “America’s Time Capsule.”

• The 900-pound America’s Time Capsule will be buried in Philadelphia on July 4.
• All 50 states, five territories and some institutions contributed items for the time capsule.
• The capsule is meant to be opened in 2276.

South Dakota sent a special edition of poetry to be sealed in “America’s Time Capsule” along with 200 items from every state, five territories and some institutions.

“This Far Country” is a suite of poems by South Dakota native Joseph Bottum celebrating four themes and symbols of the state: the meadowlark, chokecherry jelly, the homestead and rivers. The edition is illustrated by Jeanne Bowman and designed by Angela Corbo Gier.

South Dakota also contributed a letter from Gov. Larry Rhoden to the Americans of 2276, when the capsule is meant to be opened.

The time capsule has been officially sealed in commemoration of the United States’ 250th birthday.

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The 900-pound steel cylinder contains over 200 artifacts, records and objects to tell America’s story when it is opened 250 years later.

The capsule will be buried in Philadelphia on July 4 as part of the hundreds of events for America’s 250th anniversary that will take place nationwide.

America250, the official nonpartisan commission designated by Congress to organize the July 4 celebrations, spearheaded the work to design the capsule and collect relics. All 50 states in conjunction with numerous national organizations contributed items (ranging from a vial of sand to an Olympic gold medal) reflecting the people, places and moments that shaped their history.

California contributed a NASA photo, an AI prediction and a fusion superconducter segment. Arizona contributed a copper ingot and a laser-etched challenge coin. Maine contributed a whale bone and a woven bookmark. And Utah contributed tickets to their amusement parks and George Washington’s prayer medal.

“Now that America’s Time Capsule has been sealed, it carries with it a remarkable record of this moment in our nation’s history,” said Chair of America250 Rosie Rios. “This moment is as much about the future as it is the past. When it is opened in 2276, future generations will see the care, pride, and optimism with which Americans marked our 250th anniversary.”

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Below is a list of an item contributed from each state and territory of the United States. Most states submitted multiple items, and the full list can be viewed on America250’s official website.

• Alabama: A series of poems written by author and professor James Matthew Wilson titled “America.”
• Alaska: A map of New Archangel, Alaska, when Russia sold Alaska to the United States in 1867.
• American Samoa: A set of two uncirculated quarters from 2009 and 2020 with images of American Samoa.
• Arizona: A laser nano-etching of the text and signatures of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution on a coin.
• Arkansas: A diamond found at the Crater of Diamonds State Park, the only place in the United States where people can search for diamonds and keep what they find.
• California: A Claude AI prediction of what California will be like in 250 years on archival paper. This will serve as a “tangible representation” of AI in 2026.
• Colorado: A set of postcards selected to represent “what life was like in Colorado in 2026.”
• Connecticut: The Official Proclamation document for the state.
• The District of Columbia: A challenge coin with “Washington, D.C. 250” on one side and a building with flags and the Mayor’s name etched on the other.
• Delaware: A set of 12 notecards with writings and drawings from the state’s citizens to answer what Delaware is to them.
• Florida: The Florida Senate Booklet from 2024 to 2026, which describes the operations of the Senate.
• Georgia: A distinct medallion of The Masters Logo, which has a yellow silhouette of the United States with a red flagstick to mark where Augusta, Georgia is located.
• Guam: A Gualofan ornament pendant, which is a traditional ornament that has become a “modern expression of Chamorro identity.” The pendant represents the full moon.
• Hawaii: A letter from Governor Josh Green.
• Idaho: A star garnet, which is the state’s official gemstone found only in Idaho and one other place in the world. The garnet is meant to highlight the state’s geological heritage.
• llinois: A poem authored by Illinois Poet Laureate Mark Turcotte titled “Dear New Blood.”
• Indiana: The Indiana 250 Annual Report, which shares the mission and objectives of the commission working to celebrate July 4th.
• Iowa: Astronaut Peggy Whitson’s International Space Station medallion, which commemorates Whitson’s leadership as the first woman to command the International Space Station.
• Kansas: A document identifying Kansas250 commissioners and news items from the last year.
• Kentucky: A commemorative coin from the Sons of the Revolution, intended to serve as a reminder of how the American Revolution influenced Kentucky.
• Louisiana: A necklace with a Krewe of Bacchus pendant, a collectible from Mardi Gras, and glass beads.
• Maine: A whale bone from the North Atlantic right whale, which is one of the world’s most critically endangered large whale species.
• Maryland: A challenge coin with Governor Wes Moore’s name and a map of the state on it.
• Massachusetts: A set of archival prints, including a print of the Boston Massacre and a letter from John Adams and Benjamin Franklin to the Massachusetts Council.
• Michigan: The state stone, or the Petoskey stone, which is native to the shores of Lake Michigan and formed nearly 350 million years ago.
• Minnesota: The state’s flag.
• Mississippi: Four brass coins commemorating the U.S.’s largest rocket engine test site and the Birthplace of America’s Music, amongst other notable events.
• Missouri: A letter from Governor Mike Kehoe to Americans 250 years later.
• Montana: A beaded artwork created by a Arikara artist representing the state’s landscapes and heritage.
• Nebraska: An archival photo of the Vice Grip pliers, which symbolize the state’s commerce and history.
• Nevada: A set of gambling chips to reflect the history of casinos across the state, which legalized gambling during the Great Depression.
• New Hampshire: A print of a sticker depicting the center emblem of a flag carried by the Second New Hampshire Regiment of the Continental Army.
• New Jersey: A stainless steel plate with greetings to people in 2276, with “the hope that the values that guide us in 2026 — liberty, opportunity, cooperation, love and respect for one another — continue to shape society.”
• New Mexico: A hand-crafted red chile tile created by Mexican-American artist Jennel Juarez. The tile is one of New Mexico’s longstanding cultural symbols.
• New York: A written reflection from New York State.
• North Carolina: A copper disk engraved with an image of the North Carolina State Capitol Building.
• North Dakota: A commemorative coin representing the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, North Dakota.
• The Northern Mariana Islands: A crescent-hewn symbol representing the Chamorro ancestors’ leadership and noble standing.
• Ohio: Fabric from the Wright Brothers’ flight honoring the state’s connection to the birth of aviation.
• Oklahoma: A belt buckle that features images that represent the “grit, determination and spirit” of the state.
• Oregon: A handcrafted pin created by Native American artist Lillian Pitt.
• Pennsylvania: A “Greetings from Harrisburg” letter from Governor Josh Shapiro.
• Puerto Rico: A rosary to represent the importance of faith in the island.
• Rhode Island: A holiday ornament meant to honor the state’s Revolutionary War legacy.
• South Carolina: A coin commemorating the work done by the state’s 250 Commission.
• South Dakota: A poetry book celebrating the state’s rivers, wildlife and homestead culture through a special edition of “This Far Country” authored by Joseph Bottum.
• Tennessee: An original poster designed by one of the state’s artists to highlight Tennessee’s agricultural history and cultural symbols, including its role in the Civil Rights movement and women’s suffrage.
• Texas: The state seal on a chiseled glass paperweight. The seal was designed in 1836 during the Texas Revolution.
• The U.S. Virgin Islands: A letter from Governor Albert Bryan, Jr.
• Utah: A set of 101 paper cards with different people that shaped Utah history.
• Vermont: A Battle of Hubbardton ornament. The battle was the only Revolutionary War battle fought entirely on what is now considered Vermont.
• Virginia: A challenge coin representing the state’s commemoration of America’s semiquincentennial.
• Washington: A letter from Washington State Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck to the future.
• West Virginia: A student essay authored by Alyssa Dalton titled “Remembering our Foundation” celebrating the nation’s 250th birthday. The essay was solicited from a statewide essay contest to recognize how “the young people… will continue to guide our state.”
• Wisconsin: An Eagle feather and photo of Old Abe, an American bald eagle who served with the Eighth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment during the civil war.
• Wyoming: A letter from Governor Mark Gordon to future Americans.

Two men, including one whose life sentence was commuted by then-South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, have been charged in the death of a 14-year-old girl whose body was found in a rural area five days after she went missing in March.

McKenna Wendel was reported missing March 13 and last seen alive in her hometown of Sioux Falls early on March 14. Her body was found outside Brookings, an hour’s drive north of Sioux Falls, on March 19.

Wendel’s uncle, Mark Milk, 51, also of Sioux Falls, now faces five counts related to her death. Milk was almost three decades into a life term on a manslaughter conviction when Noem commuted his sentence in 2023.

Wendel was raised by her grandparents, loved animals and had a “vibrant personality and a zest for life,” according to her obituary. She and her grandparents were Rosebud Sioux Tribe members and attended powwows often.

“She loved the singing and the beautiful sounds of the drums,” her obituary read.

Details about Wendel’s death remained thin as authorities who announced the charges in a Sioux City, Iowa, news conference Thursday kept close what they knew to protect their investigation.

Authorities have said an autopsy was done, but the findings have not been released. The cause and manner of Wendel’s death would not be released yet per Justice Department policy, said Leif Olson, U.S. attorney for northern Iowa.

Milk faces five counts including possession with intent to deliver cocaine that caused Wendel’s death. He is also charged with transportation of a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, according to court documents.

Jon Rogness, 38, of Brookings faces conspiracy and accessory charges in an alleged attempt to cover up the crimes. The counts against the men were the “most serious, readily provable” charges and all originated in Iowa, Olson said.

“This is a horrific case,” FBI special agent Gene Kowel said. “There are no cases that we investigate that are more heart-wrenching and more tragic than the ones that involve children or the death of a child.”

Court records showed no lawyers listed for Milk and Rogness, and no relatives could immediately be located through phone records and social media to speak on their behalf.

In February 2023, Noem commuted Milk’s life sentence for a manslaughter conviction in an October 1993 stabbing death. Milk, then 19, had been involved in several altercations in the city of Winner that ended with the death of Shawn Peneaux, according to records.

Milk was in jail on unrelated allegations of driving under the influence and eluding police when Wendel’s body was found. His name came up in public discussion about the case from the start. But prosecutors, who finished their investigation in late May, did not formally link him to Wendel’s death until filing charges Wednesday.

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley said in a late March news conference the decision to commute Milk’s life sentence was strictly Noem’s.

“It is fairly often that you see law enforcement oppose commutations,” Jackley remarked without commenting further on Noem’s decision.

The commutation documents were sealed and even he had not seen them, he noted.

The Associated Press left a message Thursday for Noem on seeking comment through NovaRed Mining, a Canadian firm she recently joined in a “strategic advisory role.”

A Republican, Noem, 54, was South Dakota’s lone congressperson from 2011 to 2019 and governor from 2019 to 2025. She was Homeland Security secretary before being fired in March by President Donald Trump amid criticism of her handling of the administration’s immigration crackdown and disaster response.

Trump praised Noem’s leadership and said he was making her special envoy for “The Shield of the Americas.” The new organization of Western Hemisphere nations is focused on supporting democracy and security in the region.

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Gruver reported from Fort Collins, Colorado, and Billeaud from Phoenix, Arizona.