First Presentation of Saddle of Independence.....
Rushmore Plaza Civic Center Extends Invitation
Rapid City, SD -- When the Rushmore Plaza Civic
Center opened its doors for the first time 25 years ago, no one envisioned it
would be dirt, straw, cattle and cowboys that would be at the heart of its
biggest annual attraction.
“As we celebrate our Silver Anniversary with a number of
special events planned throughout the year, our biggest venue is approaching,”
says Trent Taylor, Director of Marketing and Advertising for the Civic Center.
“We’re pleased to be working with the Black Hills Stock Show Foundation,
that each year hosts unique events in our facility - and this year is no
exception. We’re extending a special invitation to the media to join us
Friday, January 25 in the Theater beginning at 3:00 p.m., to become better
acquainted with the Foundation and its presentation of the Saddle of
Independence.
As the Foundation finalizes its plans to display and
present the commissioned saddle (built by long-time Foundation supporter and
stock show exhibitor, Benton Moore of Groesbeck, Texas) for President George W.
Bush and the American people, management and staff at the Civic Center
have been at the forefront, taking delivery of the saddle shipped from Texas,
securing it for safe storage and now preparing for its introduction to the
public.
The role the media plays is an important part of that. “It’s through their mediums that the story of the Saddle of Independence
will begin to unfold,” notes Taylor. “We want to be part of the program that
will bring media representatives together to see and hear first-hand, the
remarkable story behind it and the return to South Dakota of another piece of
history - the Coolidge Saddle.
“The story of two president’s saddles actually
began well over a year ago,” relates Taylor. “Thoughts shared and
decisions being made by people in Texas, Iowa, South Dakota and Wyoming would
set in motion pieces of this story. Circumstances that would unfold from
terrorists attacks against the United States, would propel the completion of
this saddle and bring greater significance to the return of the Coolidge
Saddle.”
According to Joe Norman, president of BHSS Foundation,
there will be the opportunity to visit with those who have had first-hand
involvement with a project that sees one saddle coming home to Rapid City while
another leaves it. “There are some similarities in President’s that bridge a
time-frame between 1927 and 2002,” he observes. “There are also similarities
between saddle makers. And their are unique features to the Saddle of
Independence not visible to the eye. It’s almost like a time capsule.”
Norman encourages people to visit the Foundation’s
website at www.BHSSF.com to learn more about the story of two saddles, presented
to two Presidents in two very different times in history but that both symbolize
the timeless story of a free America....and the tragedies, courage and honor
that keeps it free.
For more information, contact Taylor at 605-394-4115 or
BHSS Foundation at 605-718-0810. Email foundation@BHSSF.com
