Recent Snow Means Fireworks Show a “Go”

When it comes to the annual New Year’s Eve fireworks show in Wessington Springs, the lack of precipitation this fall and winter sparked some concern that the show might not go on this year. But thanks to the Christmas blizzard that swept across the region Monday and Tuesday, show organizers say that the big rockets will once again soar above south gulch to help ring in 2024.

What began as a friendly Wessington Springs neighborhood fireworks challenge three years ago has evolved into a show-stopping fireworks display for the whole community to help usher in the New Year.

It all started when South Gulch neighbors Jarrod and Jacki Bultsma and Dennis and Sandy Beckman joked about holding a fireworks challenge after the Bultsmas sent up quite a few rockets during Fourth of July 2020.

“Sandy texted me and said they enjoyed our fireworks and that next Independence Day we should hold a neighborly competition,” recalls Jacki. “I suggested, how about New Year’s Eve since they are legal then — plus fireworks sound awesome echoing through the draw in the winter.”

Thanks to the recent snowfall, the neighbors, along with Jason and Cristin Weber and family are set to continue the tradition yet again this New Year’s Eve. The families invite the community to the show, suggesting the Prairie Lounge parking lot and Lookout Hill as good vantage points. Fireworks will be set off south of the stop sign on Highway 34 / Dakota Avenue junction on New Year’s Eve at 6 p.m.