125TH celebration of North Dakota & South Dakota
Hettinger and Lemmon Chosen for June 16, 2014, Joint event Celebrating ND/SD 125th BD's
Hettinger's Community Promotions Office recently received word that Hettinger, ND, and Lemmon, SD, were chosen as the only two towns in either state to be part of a joint 125th birthday celebration for both states. After being organized into Dakota Territory in 1861, the area that became North Dakota and South Dakota was later scheduled for entry into the Union on November 2, 1889. On November 2 of this year, both states celebrate their 125th year of statehood. In recognition of this milestone, a state-wide steering committee is spearheading a series of celebratory events throughout the state, such as a two-month historical display at the North Dakota Heritage Center in Bismarck, ND, an August event on the Capitol grounds in Bismarck, the November 2 grand opening of the new Heritage Center, and regional events around the state in June.
The joint Hettinger, ND/Lemmon, SD, event is one of those special gatherings, celebrating the joint entries into the Union. "It's an honor for both communities," says Jim Goplin, Executive Director of the Adams County Development Corporation and chair of the Dakota Buttes Visitors Council. "We'll do our best to help throw a memorable 125th birthday party." Organized around the theme, "Sense of Place," the June 16 afternoon and evening events will feature state and local dignitaries, singers, songwriters, performers and participants. The joint states event will begin in Lemmon, SD, the afternoon of June 16, 2014, continuing at Hettinger, ND, with special exhibits at the Dakota Buttes Museum, a free evening meal at Mirror Lake Park, and a celebratory program followed by free birthday cake and lemonade. "We have the opportunity to celebrate what was, what is, and what is yet to come," says Earleen Friez, Community Promotions office manager and executive secretary of the Hettinger Area Chamber of Commerce. "It'll take all of us to make it happen." Local groups and individuals interested in helping with this once-in-a-lifetime event are invited to call the Hettinger Community Promotions office for further information (701-567-2531).
