CITY GUIDE TO INDEPENDENCE DAY: Events, Parking & Viewing Suggestions, Fireworks Usage

RAPID CITY--The City's Independence Day fireworks celebration will take place Wednesday, July 4 at 9:30 p.m.  The 20-25 minute show will coincide with patriotic music on radio station 93.9 The Mix.  The fireworks display will be discharged from the Executive Golf Course area. Rainout date is Thursday, July 5.

            "The City Fireworks Show is something special and we encourage everyone to come out and enjoy the event," said Mayor Steve Allender. "This year's show is again on Independence Day.  Independence Day is a great time for families and friends and we hope everyone has an enjoyable holiday."

            Rapid City Fire Chief Rod Seals encourages the public to enjoy the City's fireworks display and to utilize extreme caution with fireworks and open fires during the holiday period.

            "We want everyone to have an exciting and fun and most importantly, safe holiday," said Seals.  "Remember fireworks, with the exception of novelty fireworks, in the City limits is prohibited.  If you are in areas where fireworks are allowed, use extreme caution and proper safety, including the proper handling and use of fireworks and having sufficient water supplies on hand should a problem arise."

PARKING AND VIEWING SUGGESTIONS

            Parking options to view the City fireworks display include the downtown parking ramp, the City/School Administration Center, Civic Center parking lots, Rapid City Central High School, areas near Founders Park and the downtown area.   As for viewing options, consider the Civic Center lots, top tier of the parking ramp, Legacy Commons greenway and Memorial Park and the adjacent bike path area, Founders Park area, downtown parking areas, Skyline Drive and areas around 'The Gap'.

            The Rapid City Police Department will be restricting and prohibiting access near the display area around the Executive Golf Course.   Consider arriving early to obtain prime parking and viewing options for the display and drivers are urged to use caution when driving along Omaha and adjacent areas near the fireworks display area both before and after the show due to increased traffic in the area.

ADDITIONAL FIREWORKS DISPLAYS AND ACTIVITITES

            Other fireworks displays in Rapid City include Black Hills Speedway on June 29, Rapid City Elks Lodge July 3 (dusk), Floyd Fitzgerald Stadium July 3 (after the Post 22 baseball game), and Arrowhead Country Club July 4 (dusk).

            The Independence Day celebration at Main Street Square is from 2-4 p.m. July 4 and will include the United States Air Force Heartland of America Band and featuring the Offutt Brass.  The interactive fountains, games, bean bag toss and refreshments will also be available.

            The 100th Rapid City Municipal Band Anniversary community picnic and concert will be held at 6 p.m. July 4 at the Memorial Park Bandshell.  Events will include presentation of a mayoral proclamation by Council member Laura Armstrong declaring Rapid City Municipal Band Day in Rapid City.

            There will also be fireworks and holiday activities in Belle Fourche, Box Elder, Custer, Hot Springs, Interior, Lead, Piedmont, Spearfish, Sturgis and Wall.

CITY GOVERNMENT--WHAT'S OPEN/WHAT'S CLOSED JULY 4:

            City offices will be closed on Wednesday, July 4th in observance of Independence Day.  The first meeting of July for the Rapid City Council is Monday, July 2 at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers and will include the election of Council officers for the next year.

            The Rapid City Landfill will be closed with no trash collection on July 4. Trash collection will operate on a normal schedule on Monday and Tuesday with Wednesday's collection set for Thursday, and Thursday and Friday collections operating on a normal schedule, keep out until collected.

            City pools will be open on July 4th from noon to 6 p.m. and the Roosevelt Swim Center will be open from 5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on July 4th.

            Rapid Transit services, the Rapid City Public Library and the Roosevelt Ice Arena will be closed on Independence Day.  Administrative offices at the Rapid City Police Department, Fire Department and Rapid City Regional Airport will be closed, however police and fire services will be on duty and Regional Airport will be open.

ONLY NOVELTY FIREWORKS ALLOWED IN CITY LIMITS

With fireworks going on sale and eligible for discharge beginning June 27 in South Dakota, City officials remind residents and visitors that City ordinance prohibits fireworks within city limits with the exception of 'novelty fireworks' such as sparklers, party poppers, snappers, toy caps and flitter sparklers (Ordinance 8.24.020). 

                This year, the time frame for the sale and discharge of fireworks in South Dakota is Wednesday, June 27 through Thursday, July 5.

            City officials also urge the public to use extreme caution if they are in areas where fireworks are permitted and also with the use of novelty fireworks.  A sufficient water source on hand when using novelty fireworks, barbeque grills and other fire sources is advised.  

            Ordinance 8.24.020 is outlined below:

8.24.020 IFC Chapter 33, Section 3301.1.3 Fireworks.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it." alt="Bookmark" width="16" height="16" />8.24.020 IFC Chapter 33, Section 3301.1.3 Fireworks.

   The possession, manufacture, storage, sale, handling and use of fireworks are prohibited.

   Exceptions:

1. 1.   Storage and handling of fireworks permitted in Section 3304.
2. 2.   Manufacture, assembly and testing of fireworks as permitted in Section 3305.
3. 3.   The use of fireworks for display as permitted in Section 3308.
4. 4.   The sale or use of certain novelty fireworks within the city are permitted, and are limited to the following:
5. A.   Party poppers (not to exceed 0.25 grain).
6. B.   Snappers (not to exceed 0.02 grain).
7. C.   Sparklers (not to exceed 3.5 oz.).
8. D.   Toy caps (not to exceed 0.25 grain).
9. E.   Flitter sparklers (not to exceed 0.2 oz.).

   Any person violating this chapter shall be subject to the general penalty provision of § 1.12.010.

(Ord. 5864, 2012; Ord. 5844, 2012; Ord. 5725, 2011: Ord. 5628, 2007)

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Thank you,

Darrell W. Shoemaker | Communications Coordinator

T: 605.721.6686 | M: 605.939.8551

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