Spring is just around the corner. Many of us are busy with school activities, the daunting task of spring cleaning, and planning our summer.

This year, I’d like to invite you to spend some time in Wessington Springs, a community nestled in the hills on Highway 34. Whether it’s one day or a few, we have no shortage of summertime fun, facilities to host those big family events, beautiful scenery, and a big, beautiful park to share.

We kick off our summer with the SDRA Foothills Rodeo May 30-31. In all honesty, it’s an event that reminds us why we choose to live in rural South Dakota and why we love it so much! It’s not just the rodeo, you will see our community at it’s best. We have a rich history in the sport of rodeo and love to show it off. If you’d like to stay for the entire weekend, we have full-service camping in our park and other lodging available in town as well!

Spring and summer nights provide beautiful backdrops, especially if baseball is your thing. There isn’t a better place to be then in our grandstand on David Jost Field, eating sunflower seeds and watching our amateur baseball team, the Springs Owls play. Their season begins mid-May and lasts throughout the summer.

Now onto Shakespeare Garden and Anne Hathaway Cottage. To have a place as serene as this in the state of South Dakota is remarkable. To have a place like this in our own community… priceless. The garden is beautiful, the cottage leads you to believe you have been transplanted to the England countryside, and the ladies that create the magic? They work tirelessly to see that the legacy of Shakespeare Garden in Wessington Springs will be around for generations to come. I invite you to come appreciate the innate beauty of it all. Reservations may be made to book a tour of the garden and/or experience “high tea” in the cottage. In July, weekly Music in the Garden performances begin. Enjoy performances by local, as well as regional artists, the smell of flowers from the garden mixed with locally made food and an atmosphere where you can relax, appreciate the music, and experience an arts culture we cultivate here in Wessington Springs and are extremely proud of.

Of course, our 4th of July celebration is always, always a fun time! This year we will be celebrating an “All School Reunion.” If you grew up in Wessington Springs, take this as an opportunity to come home, remember the good times, make peace with bad, and appreciate the community that helped build you. We welcome you to take part in our Annual Parade and Old Settler’s Games. Stay tuned for other exciting events coming soon for the weekend!

Finally, the highlight of our summer will be our 2nd Annual Foothills Days! Join us July 31st- August 2nd. There truly is something for everyone at this event. Plein Air Art, Arts in the Park at Shakespeare Garden, Foothills Classic car show, Firemen Funfest, City Wide rummage sales, show off your BBQ skills and compete in our Rockin’ Ribfest (or just come eat some yummy ribs)and listen to a favorite band, 11 Years New in the park. It’s a jam packed fun weekend in the City of the Foothills and Sunday morning we give our thanks at a community church event in the ballfield.

These are just the highlights of what’s bound to be a summer that passes us by way too quickly. So come, slow down a bit, take in the small town charm of Wessington Springs, South Dakota and spread the word that you really can Discover more on Highway 34.

For more information on any of the events listed visit www.wessingtonsprings.com.