2009 Mount Rushmore
Independence Day Celebration

The 2009 Mount Rushmore Independence Day Celebration is scheduled for July 3-4, 2009.
The fireworks display is scheduled for the night of July 3.

Below, see photos and video from previous years' celebrations.

View streaming video of the July 3rd fireworks.

Note:  all times are Mountain Daylight Time.

Friday, July 3, 2009

1 p.m. Hill City Slickers Greenway Stage 1 p.m. Retro Bill D.A.R.E. Safety Buddy Amphitheater 1:45 p.m. Junior Ranger Swearing In Ceremony Park Superintendent Gerard Baker Amphitheater 2 p.m. People's Hoop Dance Jasmine Pickner Amphitheater 3 p.m. Hill City Slickers Greenway Stage 3:15 p.m. Retro Bill D.A.R.E. Safety Buddy Amphitheater 4:20 p.m. Presentation of colors Ellsworth Air Force Base Honor Guard Amphitheater 4:25 p.m. National Anthem Robert Moore Amphitheater 4:30 p.m. F-16 Flyover South Dakota Air National Guard 4:30 p.m. The Mitguards Amphitheater 6 p.m. The Mitguards Amphitheater 6:15 p.m. Junior Ranger Swearing In Ceremony Superintendent Baker Amphitheater 6:30 p.m. Welcomes by Superintendent Baker and Mount Rushmore National Memorial Society President Gene Lebrun Amphitheater 6:45 p.m. Introduction of Navajo Code Talkers and Tokala Color Guard Superintendent Baker Amphitheater 6:55 p.m. Lakota Flag Song and National Anthem Robert Moore Amphitheater 7 p.m. B-1 Flyover Ellsworth Air Force Base 7:05 p.m. Flag Folding ceremony Ellsworth Air Force Base Amphitheater 7:05 p.m. Flag presentation to honored veterans Amphitheater 7:30 p.m. Brass in Blue United States Air Force Heartland Band Brass Ensemble Amphitheater 8:45 p.m. Superintendent Baker introduces special guests Amphitheater 9 p.m. Superintendent Baker introduces Col. Jeffrey B. Taliaferro Ellsworth Air Force Base Amphitheater 9:05 p.m. Col. Taliaferro introduces the B-1 Flyover Ellsworth Air Force Base Amphitheater 9:10 p.m. Twilight B-1 Flyover Ellsworth Air Force Base 9:16 p.m. Battle Hymn of the Republic Robert Moore Amphitheater 9:20 p.m. FIREWORKS (Weather and fire conditions permitting.) 10 p.m. Hill City Slickers Greenway Stage

Saturday, July 4, 2009

7:30 p.m. Brass in Blue United States Air Force Heartland Band Brass Ensemble Amphitheater 9 p.m. Mount Rushmore National Memorial Evening Program and Lighting Ceremony Amphitheater

Helpful Hints: Due to heavy traffic, limited parking and security checks expected for the July 3 fireworks extravaganza, plan to carpool and arrive early. Continuous entertainment begins at 1 p.m., July 3. 

Wearing light colored clothing and carrying a small flashlight is recommended. No personal fireworks, barbecue grills or pets will be allowed at Mount Rushmore National Memorial during the event. Call 605-574-2523 or visit www.nps.gov/moru for updates.

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Click here to download a copy of the schedule:

2009 Independence Day Celebration (PDF - 2.6 MB)

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Mount Rushmore Independence Day Celebration Photos

Click below to see Mount Rushmore lit up.

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Mount Rushmore Independence Day Celebration Video

Fireworks Finale -- 1 minute, 1.9MB

The fireworks display video has been converted to RealMedia. If you are having difficulty viewing the clip, make sure you have the latest RealOne player installed.

Note: To view the movies without streaming, right click the link and save the file to your hard drive.

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For more info on Mount Rushmore please visit the following:

    Mount Rushmore Homepage (TravelSD.com)

    Mount Rushmore National Memorial (National Park Service)