RAPID CITY, S.D. – Downtown Rapid City is preparing to host a massive multi-day celebration for the Independence Day holiday week, marketed as the Real America Birthday Bash. Scheduled from July 1 through July 5, the festival will bring a packed lineup of live music, family activities, and innovative sky performances to the heart of the community.

The event marks a major milestone for the country, drawing both residents and tourists to the region. Visit Rapid City officials are anticipating a large turnout for the historical celebration.

“Rapid City has always been the heart of American history, and this July 4th week, we’re throwing a celebration worthy of that legacy,” said Ally Formanek, CEO of Visit Rapid City. “The Real America Birthday Bash is days of live music, family fun, and community pride right in the heart of downtown. We couldn’t be more excited to welcome locals and visitors alike to celebrate 250 years of this country in the place where America’s story comes to life.”

A major highlight of the week is the Sky Elements Patriotic Drone Show, scheduled for approximately 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 2, immediately following the community parade. The Dallas-based tech company will launch 500 independent drones from Central High School. Notably, 50 of those drones will be equipped with pyrotechnics, a cutting-edge feature that combines traditional fireworks elements with robotic precision.

Rick Boss, CEO of the drone company, noted that his team was among the first to receive a federal exemption to feature pyrotechnics on drones. The close-approximate fireworks only drop about 30 feet from the aircraft, significantly reducing fire danger compared to traditional ground-based fireworks.

Sky Elements
Sky Elements

“We started doing drone shows about five and a half years ago, and we’re all pyrotechnicians,” Boss said. He explained that while most standard drone performances stay under 400 feet, the Rapid City performance will fly higher, reaching into the 600-foot range to ensure better visibility over local trees and structures.

According to company representative Gregg Elkin, the group handles about 60% of the shows across the country. They have 86 shows scheduled during the week of July 4, a massive increase from the three shows they handled just five years ago. The company, which was a finalist on America’s Got Talent a year and a half ago, recently set its 17th Guinness World Record on May 21 by creating a 5,000-drone rendering of the character Vecna from Stranger Things.

The Rapid City production required nearly 100 hours of custom animation design time, alongside an additional 20 to 30 hours of direct collaboration with local officials to finalize the imagery. The entire show is operated by a single licensed FAA pilot and a co-pilot. Yosef Dandis, an experienced pilot with an engineering background who has flown hundreds of shows, will be at the controls in Rapid City. Each drone operates independently on synchronized satellite time, executing pre-mapped flight paths to prevent collisions.

For those looking for the best vantage points, Boss recommends finding a spot with a clear line of sight slightly further back from the launch site, comparing it to finding the sweet spot in a movie theater.

To assist spectators, Visit Rapid City has launched a specialized “Where to Watch” web page. The guide outlines prime viewing areas for both the July 2 drone show and the annual City fireworks display, which is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 4. Recommended viewing locations include Memorial Park, downtown, Dinosaur Park, Skyline Drive, M Hill at Hanson-Larsen Memorial Park, Halley Park, Wilson Park, and Horace Mann Park.

“If you’re looking at prime options for viewing these two great events, the ‘Where to Watch’ page is a valuable tool providing important information and recommendations,” Formanek said. “Both shows will light up the night skies in Rapid City and are must-see events. The page provides some viewing options to consider and some helpful hints.”

Beyond the aerial entertainment, the Real America Birthday Bash features a diverse schedule of activities. The five-day lineup includes a downtown festival, a Mount Rushmore fireworks display viewing party, a Kids’ Zone, and Touch-A-Truck exhibits. Live music will be a constant presence, featuring performances by Chancey Williams, Brandon Jones, and the Air Force Academy Band, alongside various local and regional musicians. The schedule also includes food vendors, historical re-enactors, public readings and the Freedom 5K Run.


Real America Birthday Bash Schedule

Memorial Park

July 1

  • 7:00 United States Air Force Academy Band

July 2

  • 5:00pm Tanner Johns Band*
  • 7:00pm Jessica Looby*
  • 8:30pm Mayor Welcome & National Anthem
  • 9:30pm Drone Show(Launching from Central High School)

July 3

  • 12:00pm Opening Ceremonies/National Anthem
  • 12:15pm Rapid City Historical Stories
  • 1:00pm Barefoot Dance Group
  • 1:30pm Stories with Aunt Sally
  • 2:00pm Well Done Players*
  • 3:00pm Prima Dance Studio
  • 4:00pm ZirKiss Entertainment
  • 5:00pm Bodhi Linde Blues Trio*
  • 6:00pm Stage closes

July 4

  • 12:00pm Opening Ceremonies/National Anthem
  • 12:15pm John Adams Reenactor
  • 1:00pm Prima Dance Studio
  • 1:30pm Crazy Horse Memorial®
  • 3:00pm Lucas Olson*
  • 4:00pm Keon Martinez (Comedian)
  • 5:00pm Deep Fuzz*
  • 8:00pm Rapid City Municipal Band

July 5

  • 7:30am America 250 Freedom Run 5K

Main Street Square

July 2

  • 7:00pm Real America Parade
  • Route through Downtown Rapid City
  • 9:30pm Drone Show (Launching from Central High School)

July 3

  • 12:00pm Food Trucks & Kids Zones Open
  • 12:00pm Opening Ceremonies/National Anthem
  • 12:15pm Bev Bad Moccasin (Speaker)
  • 1:00pm John Adams Reenactor
  • 1:30pm Black Hills Cloggers
  • 2:00pm Shrine of Democracy Chorus*
  • 3:00pm Dana Wirth*
  • 4:00pm Quincy Goldstar*
  • 5:00pm Danny Thornbury Grove Council
  • 6:00pm The RathCo*
  • 7:30pm Brandon Jones*
  • 9:30pm Mount Rushmore Fireworks Livestream Watch Party

July 4

  • 12:00pm Food Trucks & Kid Zones Open
  • 12:0pm Opening Ceremonies/National Anthem
  • 12:15pm Blue Soul*
  • 1:00pm Well Done Players*
  • 1:30pm Tanner Johns*
  • 2:30pm South Dakota Jazz Orchestra*
  • 4:00pm Johnny Hastings*
  • 5:00pm Tiffany Johnson*
  • 6:00pm ZirKiss Entertainment
  • 7:00pm Tristen Schofield & Drive By Night*
  • 8:00pm Chancey Williams*
  • 9:30pm Rapid City Fireworks Show

* Live music



DISCLOSURE: The HomeSlice Group, the parent company of the Rapid City Post, is a sponsor of the 250 ‘Birthday Bash’ Celebration.