Gov. Rhoden: Fireworks return to Mt. Rushmore in 2026
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Gov. Larry Rhoden announced on social media Friday that fireworks would once again appear at Mount Rushmore for the 4th of July.
Rhoden's post said he 'just got off the phone' with Doug Burgum, Secretary of the Department of Interior, who confirmed that the firework display will be at Mount Rushmore for America's 250th birthday in 2026.
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Fireworks haven't been at the national memorial since 2020– when President Donald Trump made an appearance– after concerns of fire danger and tension with tribal communities arose. The National Parks Service rejected former Gov. Kristi Noem's multiple applications to bring fireworks back to Mount Rushmore.
Noem took her fight for fireworks to court and appealed the National Parks' decision in 2021, which was denied in 2022. The NPS's most recent rejection came in February 2024.
As recently as Nov. 7, Noem said she submitted another application to bring fireworks back to Mount Rushmore to celebrate Trump winning the 2024 election.
With Rhoden's message from the Department of Interior, it's safe to assume an application for 2026 will be approved.
The Department of Interior oversees the National Parks Service.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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