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June 15, 2008

• 4/14-6/30 -- Sioux Falls Humane Society's Annual Calendar Contest
  
  enter at www.sfhumanesociety.com
  
  Sioux Falls, SD * 605-338-4441 * www.sfhumanesociety.com
  Contact: Heidi Hunter 338-4441 ext. 3 or heidi@sfhumanesociety.com
  Annual Calendar Contest: enter at www.sfhumanesociety.com
   
• 6/13-6/15 -- Day Out with Thomas 2008: The Great Discovery Tour
  1880 Train
  222 Railroad Avenue
  Hill City, SD 57745
  8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

  Classic storybook engine, Thomas the Tank Engine, is set to roll into 1880 TRAIN for the Day Out With Thomas 2008: The Great Discovery Tour, presented by HIT Entertainment, a worldwide leader in children’s entertainment and sponsored by The LEGO Group.  This fun-filled event offers preschoolers and their families the opportunity to take a ride with a 15-ton replica of Thomas the Tank Engine, star of the popular Thomas & Friends™ series. The tour, now in its 13^th year, will make stops in more than 45 US cities and is expected to welcome more than one million passengers in 2008.    

  Fans will rally to nominate Thomas to the “National Toy Hall of Fame” when he steams into Hill City, SD  on June 6-8 and 13-15, he will enlist the help of his friends on a brand-new adventure - his journey to the National Toy Hall of Fame®.   All attendees can add their name to the petition.  The National Toy Hall of Fame, at the Strong National Museum of Play®, in Rochester, NY, recognizes toys that have achieved Icon Status, having enjoyed popularity over multiple generations.  By signing a petition at any of the 2008 Day Out with Thomas Events, fans can help Thomas make tracks to The National Toy Hall of Fame.

  • A 25-minute (approximate) ride with Thomas the Tank Engine
  • An opportunity to meet Sir Topham Hatt, Controller of The Railway
  • Activities for the whole family, including arts & crafts, storytelling, video viewing, live music
  
  Tickets will be $18 for ages 2 and up and are available at www.ticketweb.com/thomas or by calling, toll-free, 866-468-7630.

• 6/13-6/15 -- 125th Centennial Celebration

  Ethan, South Dakota 125th Centennial Celebration
  Come celebrate 125 years of the Wild West!
  
  For detailed information please visit www.ethanvoice.com.
   

• 6/13-6/15 -- Colome, SD Centennial
  Colome, SD
  
  Events scheduled include a wagon train, pageant, coin auction, and beard contest on Fri. Sat. events include a parade, craft fair, antique tractor pull, hot air balloon rides, 3-on-3 basketball tourney, kids' activities, centennial stage with local entertainment, and a dance Sat. evening. Sun. there will be an old-timers' baseball game. Welcome Home to Colome!
   
• 6/14-6/15 -- 1st Annual South Dakota State Polka Fest
  Ramkota Exhibit Hall
  Sioux Falls, SD
   

  Four bands.  Two days.  Plenty of Polish sausage, dancing and fun for all ages.  It's been over 20 years since Sioux Falls could boast a major polka dance event.  The 1st Annual South Dakota State Polka Fest will change all that on June 14 and 15, 2008.  This new festival has been organized by Polka champ and local polka enthusiast, Jay Davie of Sioux Falls.

  Davie has been promoting the SD State Polka Fest around the Midwest and beyond for over a year.  Groups are expected to be coming into South Dakota from all over to enjoy the music, dancing and friends and family.  Davie already has the 2nd annual festival booked for June 12-14, 2009 with even more bands and performances.  He'd also plans to work with young people to create a performance group for next year's event.

  Davie, who grew up dancing and competing at polka fests around the Midwest, says "Just because it is called a polka fest, doesn't mean that's the only kind of music you will hear!  Bands also play jitterbugs, two steps, waltzes, fox trots and even cha chas and rumbas."  Davie has chosen four bands with a mix of musical styles to round out the festival:  the German-style Marv Nissel Band from New Ulm, MN, the Czech Lites from Montgomery, MN and the Polish-style John Filipczak Band from Grantsburg, WI.  The popular Top Notchmen from Chippewa Falls, WI play a variety of musical styles.  Also expect to see Polish performance dances on Saturday from 7-8pm and Sunday 3-3:30pm by the Dolina Dancers a youth performance group from St. Paul, MN.

  This year's State Polka Fest will be held at the Ramkota Exhibit Hall, 3200 West Maple St, Sioux Falls, where a large wooden dance floor will be brought in to accommodate all of the dancers.  On Saturday the 14th, bands play from noon to 12:30am.  On Sunday the 15th, from noon to 9:30pm.  Cost for Saturday only is $20; Sunday only is $12; a two-day pass in $28.  Children 15 and younger accompanied by a guardian get in FREE.  High school and college students with ID and USA Dance members receive $2.00 off.  A portion of the proceeds will go to the Multiple Sclerosis Society in Sioux Falls.

  The Ramkota will also offer free RV camping (no hook ups).  Food and refreshments are available (no carry-in food or beverages allowed).   If you don't know how to polka, someone will show you how or just enjoy the variety of music.  Handicapped seating is also available.  For more information on the festival visit www.2008PolkaFest.com or call Jay Davie at 605 376-8220.