Demand surged for tickets to the July 3 fireworks celebration at Mount Rushmore National Memorial, with nearly 103,000 ticket requests submitted for the official Freedom 250 event, organizers announced. Only about 4,800 people will be able to attend.
Tickets were distributed through a random lottery administered by Recreation.gov from April 8–12, with applicants notified of results on April 14.
South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden said the state is proud to host visitors from across the country for the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, citing collaboration with the U.S. Department of the Interior and the National Park Service in planning the event.
Organizers are finalizing an evening program that will conclude with a fireworks and light show set to patriotic music. A team of 30 pyrotechnicians and highline operators will install the display at designated locations across the memorial. The state has again contracted with Pyro Spectaculars, which produced the 2020 Mount Rushmore fireworks, with lighting options available if environmental conditions limit pyrotechnics.
Attendance has been reduced from 2020 levels to enhance safety and keep all guests within the memorial’s main campus. The National Park Service has completed an environmental assessment, emphasizing continued protection of the Black Hills and the memorial during planning for the event.







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