It was the Fourth of July, and the day couldn’t have been more beautiful — the sun shone all day with temperatures in the mid-70s. However, nightfall brought with it a steady rain.
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This show must go on
The Norgaards from Brookings stayed dry during the fireworks show at Royal River Casino and Hotel this past Fourth of July underneath the tailgate of their SUV. Fiona, Nash, Tanner, Liam, Taylor and Nick said it was the first they had ever watched fireworks in the rain and they loved it. All were grateful to Royal River Casino & Hotel and the Flandreau Santee Sioux for continuing on with the show.
Many came from all over the area to watch one of the few firework shows that were not cancelled with the expected rain showers.
Flandreau City and Tribal Police officers take a break and enjoy the firework show before directing the traffic out of town after the show.
Delores Hammer, a longtime Flandreau area resident, enjoyed the fireworks with her family this past Thursday night, even with rain showers pouring down during the show. Pictured are siblings Madison and Cooper Bacon in the front row, and Delores, Connie Fitzgerald, Cami and Carter Bacon in the back.
“We’re just so grateful they decided to have them,” said Nick Norgaard from underneath the tailgate of his SUV on Thursday night.
It was the Fourth of July, and the day couldn’t have been more beautiful — the sun shone all day with temperatures in the mid-70s. However, nightfall brought with it a steady rain. The forecast had most other communities across the region canceling their fireworks earlier in the day.
The Flandreau Santee Sioux decided that just like every year on the Fourth, their show would go on.
“This actually is pretty fun,” Norgaard said, as his family watched alongside him in a field nearby, some, wrapped up in blankets in the back of the vehicle. He had always heard Flandreau put on a great show each year but had never been to town for it. He said they’d be back.
Fireworks boomed, and beautiful displays fell from the sky along with the rain. Many still sat in their lawn chairs, some with cover, some without. Others watched from the comfort of their vehicles. South Veterans Street and every parking lot surrounding Royal River Casino and Hotel were full.
“It’s fun, it’s always so worth it,” said Connie Fitzgerald, who comes up from Dell Rapids to see the fireworks each year with her family.