Gift from Mother Earth Art Show
June 18-20, 2021
Every year in mid-June, Crazy Horse Memorial celebrates the arts and crafts that are melding Native American cultures and the New West.
During the three-day "Gift from Mother Earth Art Show." Exhibitors, the makers of custom-made clothing, jewelry and other items for sale, fill much of the visitor complex. The booths open at 8 a.m. all three days.
Awards are given in several art categories. Visitors also enjoy American Indian performers.
Night Blasts
Among the most popular events at Crazy Horse Memorial are the two night blasts traditionally held each year. The spectacular ceremonial blasts light up the mountain with incredible fireballs and specially designed pyrotechnical features.
June 26, 2021 - Ruth's Night Blast
The first night blast of the year is June 26. It celebrates the birthday of the late Mrs. Korczak (Ruth) Ziolkowski (1926 - 2014), wife of the late Crazy Horse sculptor.
The June 26 blast also commemorates the anniversary of the Battle of the Little Big Horn in 1876. The battle was June 25, 1876. Crazy Horse was a main strategist in the defeat of Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer and his troops.
The public is welcome at the night blasts. After 7:00 p.m. on June 26th the Memorial gratefully accepts three cans of food per person for the KOTA Care and Share Food Drive in lieu of the regular admission fee. Because the night blasts are among the Memorial's most popular events, the public is advised to arrive early. The restaurant at Crazy Horse closes at 4pm on the evenings of the night blasts but the Snack Shop remains open.
September 6, 2021 - Crazy Horse & Korczak Night Blast
The second traditional night blast of the year is on September 6th. The blast honors the dual anniversaries of the 1877 death of Crazy Horse and of the 1908 birth of sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski.
The public is welcome at the night blasts. After 5:00 p.m. on September 6th the Memorial gratefully accepts three cans of food per person for the KOTA Care and Share Food Drive in lieu of the regular admission fee. Because the night blasts are among the Memorial's most popular events, the public is advised to arrive early. The restaurant at Crazy Horse closes at 4pm on the evenings of the night blasts but the Snack Shop remains open.
October 11, 2021
South Dakota was the first state to officially celebrate Native Americans' Day each year on the second Monday in October. Elsewhere, the day is observed as Columbus Day.
The South Dakota Legislature established the Native Americans' Day holiday at the urging of Gov. George S. Mickelson. He declared 1990 as a "Year of Reconciliation" and called for the first Native Americans' Day observance to be held at Crazy Horse Memorial, where the likeness of the Lakota leader is being carved to honor the Native Americans.
At the first holiday gathering, held at Crazy Horse Memorial, Gov. Mickelson told more than 1,200 people, "We can't turn back the clock. We can only turn to the future together. What we can do as leaders, both Native American and white, is teach others that we can change attitudes."
The Native Americans' Day celebration at Crazy Horse each year includes naming the Crazy Horse Memorial Educator of the Year, honoring an individual who has made significant contributions to Native American education. The award includes a $1,000 grant to the recipient's school library or to programs of his or her choice that help students. The holiday's program also includes a free public program featuring Native American singers and dancers. Programs and displays featuring artists, storytellers and hands-on activities for children are offered in the visitor complex. A free buffalo stew lunch is available for all visitors.
Nightly May 28 - September 6
"Legends in Light" the Crazy Horse Memorial multimedia laser-light show is presented nightly, at dark, from Memorial Day weekend through September 31st. The laser-light show effectively turns the mountainside into a giant 500-foot "screen" for the spectacular display.
"This is laser-light storytelling to illuminate our cultural diversity, celebrate our similarities and encourage better understanding and harmony among races and nations," said Ruth Ziolkowski,(1926-2014) wife of late sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski (1908-1982).
The Memorial honors Native Americans, and "Legends in Light" dramatizes the story of the rich heritage, living cultures and contributions by Native Americans to our society. The show features colorful animations, sound effects and laser beams choreographed to music.
Volksmarch Annual Spring Volksmarch - June 5-6, 2021
The bi-annual Crazy Horse Volksmarch (an organized hike) is a 10K or 6.2-mile woodlands ramble to the world's largest mountain carving in progress in the southern Black Hills of South Dakota.
6th Annual Fall Volksmarch - September 26, 2021
This autumn hike on Sunday, September 26th is held the same weekend as the Custer State Park Buffalo Round-Up. It is the public's second chance of the year to walk up the world's largest mountain carving in progress.
The Crazy Horse Volksmarch is the most popular organized hike in the United States (15,000 walkers in a record year). This family event is sponsored by the Black Hills Chapter of the American Volksmarch Association (AVA) and hosted by Crazy Horse Memorial.
