Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Events And Outreach topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission outlines July pavilion, flag-raising schedule and seeks sponsors for America State Fair
Summary
Members discussed plans for a South Dakota pavilion at the America State Fair (June 23–July 10), multiple flag-raising events, a Liberty Tree planting on May 22, a history conference in June, and volunteer recruitment and sponsorship needs for July activities.
The commission reviewed plans for a slate of America 250 commemorations and urged members to help secure sponsorships and volunteers for summer activities on the National Mall and across the state.
Commission leadership described a proposed South Dakota pavilion at the America State Fair on the National Mall, scheduled for June 23–July 10, and said staff have handouts from the White House and the U.S. Department of Agriculture explaining sponsorship and participation. The chair said the commission is seeking sponsors and asked members to suggest potential donors and partners; the commission will post a volunteer sign-up for staffing the pavilion, tapping the South Dakota State Society in Washington, D.C., and congressional delegation staff for support.
Members discussed local flag-raising ceremonies and associated outreach; the chair noted recent and planned events in Springfield, Vermillion and Yankton and thanked the American Legion post and local schools for participation. The commission also confirmed a Liberty Tree planting scheduled for May 22 and promoted the Grit and Glory history conference (K–12 educators on June 1; public sessions June 2–3) featuring speakers such as Christina Burke and a July 1 ribbon-cutting for the temporary state museum galleries.
Benjamin Jones, representing Game, Fish and Parks, described an Adventure 250 parks program that will roll out promotional activities and prizes across state parks beginning around Mother’s Day, and said the agency will solicit historic items for the time capsule and local social-media features. The chair and members discussed staging a public reading of the Declaration of Independence in the Capitol, considered the Senate Chamber as an option and noted scaffolding in the dome that may require alternate locations.
Next steps: staff will circulate sponsorship materials and volunteer sign-up information; organizers will finalize venues and technical plans for public readings and museum activities.
