President Donald Trump officially announced Thursday that he will attend the July 3 fireworks celebration at Mount Rushmore, a centerpiece event commemorating America's 250th birthday.
The announcement was made on the Freedom 250 website and confirmed in a statement released by South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden.
"President Trump will lead the nation in a historic celebration beneath one of America's most iconic landmarks," Freedom 250 Chairman Keith Krach said Thursday.
Rhoden had personally invited Trump to the celebration, said Josie Harms, spokesperson for the governor.
"It is my honor to welcome President Trump to the great state of South Dakota — the freest state in a nation founded on the principles of freedom," Rhoden said in a news release published Thursday. "Together, we will throw the biggest birthday party ever for our nation and celebrate America's legacy of freedom, liberty and justice for all."
The event marks the return of fireworks over Mount Rushmore for the first time in six years.
Tourism Way Up
Cowboy State Daily reported earlier this week that Keystone, the community closest to the memorial, has already experienced a surge in tourism ahead of the celebration, with visitor numbers up 124% compared with the same period last year and daily visitation climbing 32%.
"We've definitely seen a very large uptick in visitors," said Emma Groninger, tourism director for the Keystone Visitors Center. "Everyone's excited."
Attendance at the July 3 event is limited to the 4,800 people selected through a lottery that closed April 12. Nearly 103,000 ticket requests were submitted for the limited number of seats.
Closures and Security
The memorial grounds will be closed to the general public during the celebration, and temporary road closures near Mount Rushmore will be in effect from 11 p.m. July 2 through 11 p.m. July 3 to accommodate security operations, according to South Dakota tourism officials.
Officials have not released details about additional security measures associated with Trump's visit. Brendyn Medina, public information officer for the Rapid City Police Department, referred questions to the U.S. Secret Service. Efforts by Cowboy State Daily to reach Mount Rushmore officials Thursday were unsuccessful. No one answered a call, and the voice mailbox was full.
Lay of the Land
According to Freedom 250 organizers, the celebration will feature military bands, ceremonial presentations, precision drill demonstrations, aviation flyovers and a salute to all six branches of the Armed Forces.
Rhoden and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum are scheduled to welcome Trump before he delivers what organizers describe as a "historic address" commemorating the nation's semi-quincentennial and looking ahead to "America's next chapter."
Thirty pyrotechnicians and high-line operators will install fireworks and lighting systems at designated locations around the memorial, according to Katlyn Svendsen, senior director of global public relations and content services for Travel South Dakota.
The state contracted with California-based Pyro Spectaculars — the same company that produced Mount Rushmore's 2020 fireworks display attended by Trump — to stage this year's show, with a price tag of $700,000. The agreement between the company and the South Dakota Department of Tourism includes lighting elements that can be used if environmental conditions prevent fireworks from being launched.
First Time For Fireworks Since 2020
Trump last visited Mount Rushmore in July 2020 after then-Gov. Kristi Noem successfully pushed to reinstate fireworks at the memorial after an 11-year hiatus.
Trump's 2020 visit to Mount Rushmore was met with protests from Native Americans who regard the Black Hills as sacred and object to the monument's location on land the Lakota say was unlawfully taken after being guaranteed to them under an 1868 treaty. Demonstrators blocked a highway leading to the memorial, resulting in a standoff with law enforcement and dozens of arrests.
The president's return to South Dakota could provide a political boost for Rhoden, who is campaigning in a July 28 Republican runoff election for governor against Aberdeen businessman Toby Doeden after neither candidate secured the 35% needed to win outright in the June 2 primary.
