Mount Rushmore Rocks Independence Day!

Lots of people would like to visit Mount Rushmore, but some just need that little extra push to get on their way. That added motivation comes this weekend. If you haven't made your Independence Day plans yet, you should consider making the trek to the Black Hills of South Dakota to watch the fireworks light up the sky before the iconic presidential images of Mount Rushmore.

This year, Rushmore will host an entire weekend of Independence Day festivities. Several stages have been set up around the monument with activities kicking off early Friday afternoon. The historic Sculptor's Studio will host bands, presidential re-enactors, children's programs and special speakers. While you can bring your own food, vendors will also be set up throughout the memorial property.

The fireworks celebration will actually take place on Friday night (and not on Saturday, July 4) at 9:20 p.m., so the park's amphitheater will host many of the biggest events on that day. This includes flyovers by B-1 planes and F-16 jets, flag and colors presentations and even tributes to veterans and Navajo code talkers. Saturday will feature a more limited schedule with a nighttime performance by the USAF Heartland Band Brass Ensemble and a lighting ceremony.

While reservations are not needed, both parking and seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The parking lot, which opens at 7 a.m., is expected to be full by 10 a.m., so late arrivers will have to walk a mile or more from secondary parking. The National Park Service also says to expect big crowds, heat, rain and additional security.

Fourth of July is a wonderful day to celebrate our country's heritage, and what better place to celebrate than at the Mount Rushmore monument? Keep in mind, your backyard isn't the only place you can cook hotdogs.

Photos by Alexlc13, Jared Wilson and David Perez courtesy of Flickr.