PIERRE, S.D. – The 42nd annual Fort Sisseton Historical Festival presented visitors with a weekend full of activities, vendors, food and memories. Holding to tradition, the public came out to experience the variety the event offers.
Just over 9,000 visitors took in the three-day event. Uncharacteristically warm, sunny weather was a welcomed break from some of the traditional weather patterns of the last 42 years, according to Fort Sisseton manager Ali Tonsfeldt.
“Folks have seen everything from cold, rain and even snow a couple of years,” said Tonsfeldt. “It was a true blessing to have three days of extraordinarily nice weather for our annual event. We never know what the weather will bring to us, so we have a lot of backup plans.”
Several guests took advantage of the beautiful weather to enjoy some of the new activities that happened this year. Some of the activities included a melodrama, a beginner’s muzzleloaders class, 100th anniversary scavenger hunt, the Smithsonian exhibit, a movie under the big tent, and the arts and craft booths.
The days also included some of the traditional events such as military and rendezvous encampments, pie-baking contests, stage performances, muzzleloader shooting competitions and musical performances.
