DEADWOOD CONTINUED FROM PAGE 69 » SPECIAL EVENTS Another sure-fire way to experience the full flavor of Deadwood is by visiting during one of its many festive celebrations held year-round. Wild Bill Days are held in June as a tribute to the man whose stay here helped build the town’s fame and for-tune. Then in July, the Days of ‘76 showcase real-life cowboys, national entertainers, Old West chow, and of course, rodeos. In August, pull out your poodle skirts and fuzzy dice for Kool Deadwood Nites, a premier Deadwood event bringing thousands of car buffs to town to take part in four days of 50s and 60s music and events. Or stop by for the Deadwood Jam in September, a lively two-day-long music festival. In late October, watch Deadwood transform into “Deadweird” for an unforgettable Halloween celebration and costume party like you’ve never experienced before. Make plans to warm up in the cooler months with events like the Mardi Gras parade, St. Patrick’s Day celebration, and New Years Eve festivities. • BLACK HILLS & BADLANDS REGION 70 approved the measure. That big vote of confidence was based on South Dakota’s enthusiasm for protecting and preserving Deadwood’s heritage. Events like the Days of ’76 Parade and Rodeo, held every July, had kept history alive through good times and bad. Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane and other legendary characters were permanent residents, with their gravestones in Mount Moriah Cemetery, high above Deadwood, an eternal reminder of the town’s remarkable place in American history. Proponents of limited stakes gambling promised to dedicate revenue to restoring and preserving this national historic trea-sure, as well as help fund other worthwhile preservation efforts around the region and state. With the return of gaming, Deadwood was back on a golden road – ready to make history again. Over the years, revenues from the town’s 80 gaming halls have turned Deadwood into a national template on how to restore and rejuvenate towns “with a past.” Today, the community is one of only a handful in America desig-nated a National Historic Landmark. History is the backdrop, visible at every corner, from the Victorian homes perched on the steep slopes surround-ing the downtown area to the magnificent exteriors and glittering interiors of the grand brick structures along historic Main Street. And then there are the brick-paved streets, period lighting and old-fashioned trolleys to fur-ther enhance the Old West atmosphere. A citywide, self-guided walking tour allows visitors to discover for themselves the nooks and crannies of yesteryear – the buildings, landmarks and Wild West personalities behind Deadwood’s legendary past.
South Dakota Vacation Guide SD Vacation Guide 2017: Page 70
