Howdy all!
It’s the start of a beautiful week here in Deadwood. Temps are in that 80-degree range, summer has kicked off, 4th of July celebrations are this weekend — boy, this week is getting better and better!
4th of July celebrations being with a parade down Main Street in Deadwood at 3 p.m. on July 4, and then moves to Lead at 4 p.m. Lead will host Independence Day events, with music and vendors throughout the weekend. After the parades, local favorite Brock Finn takes to stage in the beer garden, the Northern Hills Community Band will play at 8 p.m. in the city park’s band shelter — and the day closes with an awesome fireworks display over the former Homestake Mine’s Open Cut. If you’ve been to Lead before, you know you can’t miss the Open Cut! So if you are planning a trip to the Black Hills this weekend, stay and play in Deadwood and take in the 4th of July festivities in Lead!
Plenty to do in the Black Hills this weekend!
Oh, and as for the headline of this blog, you can WIN A WEEKEND IN DEADWOOD! It’s simple – just go to deadwood.com, fill out the information, and you’re automatically entered to win. Simple as that!
Have a great week everyone!
Lee

When thousands of people converge on Main Street in Deadwood, you know summer has arrived. And when these thousands of people stand on Main Street and sing “Like A Rhinestone Cowboy,” it has to be Wild Bill Days! Yep, Wild Bill Days weekend was a big hit; the country stars Ricochet played wonderfully on Friday night, and the legend himself Glen Campbell hit the stage Saturday night to sing his hits. Even though a brief shower sent some concertgoers inside Saturday afternoon, the evening turned into a great weather night and a great turnout.
A special thanks to everyone who came to listen, and we sure hope you had a good time!
Now, summer is officially here, and things in Deadwood are buzzing.
Have a great week all,
Lee

Oh my, just a couple days away – it’s been a hectic month as we prepare for our official summer kick-off celebration, and preparations are now in place – now the fun starts!
I’ve been doing some research on our Saturday night headliner (which is a FREE concert by the way) Glen Campbell — he’s sold over 45 million records and has over 27 top 10 hits. Now that’s something to write home about. While I’ll admit I couldn’t name 10 out of the 27, I’ll guarantee I’ve heard them all at one point or another.
And Ricochet on Friday night, again a free one. Daddy’s Money, yep, I’ve sung along with that one a thousand times.
Come on out to Deadwood and take in the festivities – Firearms and Old West Auction and Show and the Cowboy Fast Draw Championships. Something for everyone, that’s for sure!
Call us if you want to know more – and there are still some rooms available in town — 1-800-999-1876.
Lee

Well, the sun is finally back out! It’s been a rainy week, and just in time for the weekend – THE SUN! While I can hear my grass growing in my yard, seeing the big ball of light back in the sky has definitely put people in a better mood.

And next week — WILD BILL DAYS! Woo hoo! Hope you’ve made plans to come and spend time here next weekend listening to some great FREE music on Main Street! Ricochet (She’s got her daddy’s money, her momma’s good looks…) you know the song – and the legend himself Glen Campbell. Yep, it’s going to be a great weekend. ALSO, there’s a Firearms and Old West Auction and Show running in conjunction with Wild Bill Days. There are some fine guns and Old West antiques up for auction and sale. Don’t miss out!

Have a great weekend everyone!
Lee

Greetings all: Summer is here! This weekend, the Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Marathon will bring a couple thousand people to town (the race is on Sunday, but festivities are all weekend long); also on Sunday, there will be some fine music and fun at the Historic Homestake Opera House in Lead – Here’s more info!

HOMESTAKE OPERA HOUSE TO JAM AGAIN JUNE 7
Benefit concert to feature Grammy nominee and Black Hills favorites

DEADWOOD – The Deadwood Jam Committee and the Historic Homestake Opera House are pleased to announce the “Spring Jam at the Opera House,” a benefit concert to be held June 7 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Opera House in Lead. Following the successful concert March 1, this second show will again raise much-needed funds for the Historic Homestake Opera House and the Deadwood Jam.

The concert will feature Grammy-nominated musician Randy McAllister, The Brandon Sprague Blues Band and the acoustic duo of Bob Fahey and James Van Nuys. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door on the day of the show.

“The reaction from the first benefit concert was phenomenal,” said Matthew Pike, Deadwood Jam committee chair. “Randy was so generous in wanting to make that show. When he couldn’t, it seemed only logical to shoot for another chance.”

Once again, Deadwood Jam photographer Marty Nelson has prepared a set of exclusive prints available for the first time from past Jams. “Spring Jam at the Opera House” attendees will be able to bid on these images through a silent auction on the day of the show at Blue Dog Framers and Studio Gallery, who donated frames for the photos.

Tickets for “Jam at the Opera House” are on sale in Deadwood at the Saloon #10 or the Main Street branch of First Western Bank, or in Lead at The Stampmill Saloon and Restaurant. Tickets will also be available on the day of the show at the Opera House.

The “Spring Jam at the Opera House” is presented by the Deadwood Chamber of Commerce and Visitor’s Bureau, Budweiser through Eagles Sales of the Black Hills, the Lead Chamber of Commerce and the Stampmill Saloon and Restaurant.

Greetings all: Just noticed one thing and figured I should spread the word – the snow is almost all gone. THAT’S RIGHT, by June 1, all the snow will be GONE! While that may sound strange, it is true. Driving into Deadwood earlier today, I looked up at Terry Peak Ski Area; it’s been snow-covered, well, since October – and there’s only a little bit of snow left up there! With over 200 inches of snow this past ski season, it was a great year to be a fan of the white stuff. And now that Memorial Day is past, it’s nice to see the snow leaving us for the summer!
Just thought I’d pass that along –
Lee

We have some fun new online Deadwood Happenings…
Are you on facebook? Are you a HISTORIC DEADWOOD fan, because you should be!
Check it out here:
( http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=logo#/pages/Deadwood-SD/HISTORIC-DEADWOOD/87851880517?ref=ts )

And how would you like to win a FREE night stay in Deadwood?
Well through the HISTORIC DEADWOOD fan page you can!
All you have to do is post your favorite Deadwood Memory/Story/Review (good-bad-otherwise) on the HISTORIC DEADWOOD fan page Review tab
EVERYONE who writes a post (memories, stories, photos, even an: I LOVE DEADWOOD) will be automatically registered to win 1 of 5 FREE night stays in Deadwood or some AWESOME Deadwood apparel, courtesy of the Deadwood Chamber!

We will draw our winners on JULY 1st so get your posts in and stay tuned!
(In order to win a free night stay you MUST be 21 by July 1, 2009—BUT still post if you’re under 21, because you will be eligible to will some FREE Deadwood Apparel!! So get those posts in ASAP!)

We’re also on Twitter! So make an account (if you don’t have one already!) And follow us to keep updated on the hottest parties in Dakota Territory!
( http://twitter.com/DeadwoodChamber )

AND…we have new pictures up on the website of the Mardi Gras Parade and Pub Crawl, good time had by all! So Check ‘em Out!

-Katie the Intern

Hey Everyone
We would like to say a big THANK YOU to everyone who attended last Saturday’s Community Appreciation Night! The winners of the evening were as follows:

Citizen of the Year: Vince Coyle
Boss of the Year: Louie LaLonde, Saloon #10
Employee of the Year: Kip Mau, Deadwood Policeman
Educator of the Year: Kim Loeffen, Lead-Deadwood High School Computer Teacher
Organization of the Year: Tough Enough to Wear Pink, Lead-Deadwood Regional Hospital Foundation; (executive director Karen Carr)

Congratulations to all!
-Katie the Intern

Well Hey there Deadwood Fans!

My Name is Katie and I’m the Deadwood Chamber summer intern (formally known as “Katie the Intern”) and I will be your new blogger until August when I have to run back to the University of South Dakota, so here we go!!!
This weekend is the kick off for summer here in Deadwood; we have the Deadwood Alive gunfights beginning TODAY on Historic Main Street, as well as the first Trial of Jack McCall and the reenactment of the murder of Wild Bill.
All will be happening daily (except Mondays) for the rest of the summer.

You can catch the gunslingers at 2pm in front of the Four Aces, 4pm in front of The Celebrity Hotel, and at 6pm in front of the Silverado.
Also the Trial of Jack McCall is held at the Masonic Temple every night (again, except Mondays) at 8pm
And the murder of Wild Bill Hickok will take place in Saloon #10 at 1pm, 3pm, 5pm, and 7pm.

Also…The Broken Book Gold Mine Opens TOMORROW (May 23) so get out there and see how Deadwood got her start with a mine tour and try your hand at gold panning- you might just finding a nugget of shiny stuff for yourself! They’re open daily from 9-5…fun for all ages!
For more information on any Deadwood attractions, give us a call at the chamber at 1-800-999-1876 or (605) 578-1876

And you know the Beer’s cold year round in Deadwood, so nothing’s changed there!

Come out and spend a summer night or two…or three with us in Deadwood!
Over and Out,
-Katie the Intern

The BBQ cook-off scheduled for Wild Bill Days has been postponed … we aresorry to report; thanks to everyone for their support of the event … and stay tuned for a re-schedule date … BUT WILD BILL DAYS IS going to be one of the best every — great FREE concerts, cowboy fast draw championships and a Firearms and Old West auction and show – RICOCHET and GLEN CAMPBELL and a host of other great entertainment will set the stage on Main Street – MAKE PLANS NOW (if you haven’t already!).