Rushmore fireworks to return

According to a Feb. 17 press release fireworks will be coming back to Mount Rushmore in 2026. The release states that South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden and Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum “agreed that fireworks will return to Mount Rushmore for America’s 250th birthday in 2026.” Burgum is the former governor of North Dakota. 

“We are ready to throw the biggest birthday party ever for the United States of America,” declared Gov. Larry Rhoden. “Thank you to secretary Burgum for helping us bring this historic event to life. Our nation’s 250th birthday will draw the attention of the entire world, reminding us just how proud we are to be Americans.”

Rhoden has invited president Donald Trump to attend via a letter that states, “we are ready to throw the biggest party ever for the United States of America. And there is no better place to do it than Mount Rushmore. I trust that you will work closely with us to make it happen, and we cannot wait to see you there.”

Mount Rushmore is a National Memorial under the control of the United States Department of the Interior. The  National Park Service (NPS) manages Mount Rushmore for the Department of the Interior.  A request to the NPS for more information about the 2026 display was not received by press time.   

However Blaine Kortemeyer, director of interpretation at Mount Rushmore National Memorial, said the 2025  Independence Day is already planned, with the Air Force Academy Band playing the evening of July 3-4 as well as cultural interpreters and all four presidential  re-enactors also on board for visitors.

“The reenactors look forward to being here,” Kortemeyer said. 

Keystone Town Board president Casey McNulty  had this to say about the return of the display to Mount Rushmore in 2026.

“As Keystone Town Board president, I, Casey McNulty, am pleased to express my wholehearted support for the return of fireworks at Mount Rushmore in 2026. Next year marks the 250th anniversary of America’s founding, and what better place to celebrate this monumental milestone of American history than the Shrine of Democracy itself.”

McNulty said fireworks have “long been a cherished tradition in our community, and at the monument.”

McNulty sees the event may come with financial considerations for the town that sits closest to the memorial but that the  “benefits far outweigh the costs,” adding, “the fireworks display will drive local revenue, attract increased traffic to our area and bring national attention to our great travel destination.

“Additionally, the boost in visitors and tourism will contribute significantly to local, state and federal tax revenue, helping to support the overall growth and sustainability of our town and surrounding regions.” 

McNulty pledges to keep Keystone safe by “working closely with local, state and federal officials, as well as emergency responders and community organizations, to ensure the event is safe, well-organized and enjoyable for all.”

The NPS began allowing fireworks displays at Mount Rushmore 1998 but stopped in 2010 because of concerns due to pollution and wildlife. In 2020 a fireworks display over the memorial was shown to 7,500 ticketed attendees, closing the park to the public for the entire day. A government accountability report indicates the show cost the federal government about $4 million and the state of South Dakota  about $1.1 million.

The NPS denied a special use application from the South Dakota Department of Tourism to hold a fireworks display over Mount Rushmore in 2024. A letter dated Feb. 21, 2024 from superintendent of Mount Rushmore Michelle Wheatley said “fireworks continue to be viewed by multiple tribes as an adverse effect on the traditional cultural landscape.” 

It went on to say that, “the 2020 event affected tens of thousands who were not able to visit the memorial or had their visit cut short and impacted NPS special Independence Day programing.”

Wheatley also stated in the letter that the “fireworks event poses threats to the environment and Memorial resources.”

Independence Day falls on a Saturday in 2026. As of press time no special use permit for the 2026 fireworks display has been submitted to the NPS.