Codington County Historical Society Clinches State Art Grant to Transform Downtown Watertown for America’s 250th

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - Downtown Watertown is gearing up for a massive, multi-day summer festival after the Codington County Historical Society and Heritage Museum was named one of only six organizations statewide to secure a prestigious $5,000 America 250 Community Arts Grant.

The grant, awarded by the South Dakota Arts Council (SDAC), is designed to help communities celebrate the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary through public programming that highlights local stories, history, culture, and civic pride. The competition was fierce, with the state receiving 31 applications from across South Dakota for the exclusive funding.

Red, White, and Blue: Watertown’s Summer Celebration

The Codington County Historical Society will use the $5,000 award to turn downtown Watertown into a vibrant, closed-street festival space during select dates in early July and August 2026.

The centerpiece of the local celebration will be three evening concerts, each uniquely themed to reflect the core values of the American spirit:

·        Red: Focusing on freedom and democracy.

·        White: Emphasizing civic responsibility.

·        Blue: Celebrating community and service.

In addition to live music, festival-goers can expect live storytelling, dramatic readings from the nation’s founding documents, and a scavenger-hunt-style "passport program" designed to connect residents and visitors directly to the rich history of Codington County.

Celebrating Across the State

“As we commemorate America’s 250th anniversary, these projects help tell the unique stories of South Dakota communities through creativity, history, and community pride,” said James Hagen, Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Tourism.

While Watertown's downtown transformation is a major highlight for local residents, five other regional organizations also received $5,000 grants to launch anniversary projects between now and September 30, 2026:

Organization	Project Location	Event Highlights
Washington Pavilion Management, Inc.	Sioux Falls	Free patriotic concerts by the Sioux Falls Municipal Band in July, including a performance at the USS South Dakota Battleship Memorial synchronized with a nationwide reading of the Declaration of Independence.
Yankton Area Arts	Yankton	A free public celebration on June 30 featuring a live patriotic concert at Riverside Park Amphitheater, a gallery exhibit, and a wearable keepsake design contest.
Bison Education Enrichment Foundation	Bison	A July community event gathering rural prairie oral histories, which will be transformed into an original theatrical production by a youth theater camp.
Dacotah Prairie Museum	Aberdeen	A live public art competition at the Brown County Fair where regional youth and adult artists will create live history-inspired pieces, culminating in public voting and an extended exhibit.
City of Yankton Task Force	Yankton	Two free, fully accessible events on July 2 featuring storyteller Jeff Gould, who will present the "great American experience" through music, history, and poetry.

About the South Dakota Arts Council

The South Dakota Arts Council is an office of the South Dakota Department of Tourism. Funded by the State of South Dakota and the National Endowment for the Arts, the SDAC provides vital grants and services to schools, artists, and arts organizations across the state to foster public access to cultural heritage and creative expression.