Midwest Region Activities and Events

National Park Service
2005 Park Visitor Information

Midwest Region

Badlands National Park, South Dakota:
Ben Reifel Visitor Center - The Ben Reifel Visitor Center of Badlands National Park will reopen in November 2005 after a year long closure for rehabilitation. There will be new exhibits, a new bookstore and lobby, and a new 100 seat theater. Contact: Marianne Mills, 605-433-5240.

Isle Royale National Park, Michigan:
Seaplane service - Seaplane service will be reinstituted after being absent for two years. Royale Air Service Inc. 218-721-0405 or 877-359-4753.

Apostle Islands
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Wisconsin:
New Gaylord Nelson Wilderness Area - A celebration/dedication ceremony for the new Gaylord Nelson Wilderness Area within Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is tentatively planned for May 15. Details will be forthcoming. Contact: Bob Krumenaker, Superintendent, 715-779-3397.

100^th Anniversary - The park and its partners will commemorate the 100th anniversary of two major shipwrecks, with loss of life, on September 2, 2005 -- the 100th anniversary, to the day, of the sinking of the Sevona and the Pretoria. The Apostle Islands Cruise Service plans a special interpretive cruise to view the shipwreck sites that day, and Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua and the Friends of the Apostle Islands special showing of "Keeper of the Light" that evening. Contact: Bob Krumenaker, Superintendent, 715-779-3397.

Homestead National Monument of America, Nebraska:
Monumental Fiddling Championship - Enjoy music on May 28 from the homesteading era as fiddlers compete against each other. Listen to the jam groups nestled around the park as they practice. Contact: Susan Cook, 402-223-3514.
U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Ceremony – (June 14) Between 150-200 people will be sworn in as citizens of the United States. See this present process and learn how the Homestead Act also brought many new citizens to this country for 124 years. Contact: Susan Cook, 402-223-3514.
Homestead Days - Cast members from the television series “Little House on the Prairie” will present a program on June 18-19 on what it was like to step back in time as they filmed. The Oklahoma Fancy Dancers will also interpret Native American dance. Many homesteading traditional arts will be exhibited by volunteers. Volunteers with teams of horses will be demonstrating antique farming practices. Contact: Susan Cook, 402-223-3514.
Land Records and Genealogy Symposium - This event, June 29-30, is sponsored in partnership with Southeast Community College. Registration is required. Speakers will give presentations relating to homesteading and land records and ways to find information about ancestors. Contact: Susan Cook, 402-223-3514

Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial, Ohio:
Memorial Day Ceremony – (May 30) Contact: Andrew J. Ferguson, Superintendent, 419-285-2184.
The Firelands Symphony - The Firelands Symphony will have an evening performance on July 2 on the steps of the Monument. Contact: Andrew J. Ferguson, Superintendent, 419-285-2184.
192^nd Historic Weekend - The 192^nd Historic Weekend will be celebrated September 10 -11, with the Toledo Symphony performing on the evening of September 10th. Contact: Andrew J. Ferguson, Superintendent, 419-285-2184.

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, Nebraska:
40^th Anniversary - The park will celebrate its 40th anniversary on June 5 with a brief program featuring Native American singers, dancers, and artists. Contact: Ruthann Knudson, Superintendent, 308-668-2211.

Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Missouri:
Lewis and Clark Day - A special “Lewis and Clark Day” will be held on June 10 with an open house at the park headquarters, featuring speakers in the morning (for summer schools and the public) and again in the evening for the general public. Contact: Noel Poe, Superintendent, 573-323-4236.
Ozark Heritage Festival - An Ozark Heritage Festival will be held on June 24-25 in Big Spring to celebrate the living culture of the region. Contact: Noel Poe, Superintendent, 573-323-4236.

Mount Rushmore

Mount Rushmore National Memorial, South Dakota:
Independence Day - Fireworks display on July 3 at 9:20 p.m., along with special events throughout the day to include cultural demonstrations by ethnic groups of the area. (The Oglala Lakota will have a tipi set up and feature demonstrations throughout the day.) They will also feature bands and children’s programs with an Abraham Lincoln impersonator throughout the day. Contact: Judy Olson, 605-574-3115.

Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site, North Dakota:
Northern Plains Indian Culture Fest - An annual event on July 30-31 that celebrates the culture and crafts of the people of the northern plains. Activities include presentations by tribal historians and Elders, fur trade re-enactors, and historians, ongoing demonstrations by craftsmen, musicians, museums and more. Contact: Cheryl Schreier, Superintendent, 701-745-3309.
A Fond Farewell - An annual event on August 17 that commemorates the homeward departure of the Corps of Discovery from the villages in 1806 and the fond farewell the Captains gave to Sacagawea, Pomp, Toussaint Charbonneau and all of the villagers. Presentations will be given by Lewis and Clark historians and tribal representatives. Contact: Cheryl Schreier, Superintendent, 701-745-3309.
Lifeways of the Northern Plains - Michael Terry will be demonstrating the lifeways of the Northern Plains Tribes from the 17^th & 18^th century on September 18-20. Members of the Three Affiliated Tribes will be doing demonstrations of their cultural lifeways. Contact: Cheryl Schreier, Superintendent, 701-745-3309.