CHISLIC FESTIVAL RETURNING JULY 26; MOVING TO EVERY-OTHER-YEAR FORMAT
A press release from the South Dakota Chislic Festival (SDCF) notes the seventh annual festival will take place in Freeman Saturday, July 26, but also another major change — that following the 2025 event, the festival will move to a biennial format.
The change is taking place “to provide a better experience for all festival goers,” the press release says. “In order to accommodate the continuing growth of the South Dakota Chislic Festival, making the change to an every-other-year format will allow organizers to add new attractions to the day-long festival and upgrade the quality of the event. We want to provide the best experience possible.”
In the meantime, the festival is planning to welcome thousands to the Freeman community from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. the last Saturday of the month for the seventh festival of its kind. The family-friendly event will again take place at the Freeman Prairie Arboretum, a 40-acre vista featuring native grasses, trees, gardens, ponds and plenty of green space located in the southwest corner of Freeman. No admission will be charged.
In addition to featuring traditional chislic made from lamb or mutton, the event will feature a variety of foods and drinks, including a large beer garden. There will also be plenty of non-food vendors, live music, and special hands-on activities for families and children.
The festival will also celebrate the Germans-from-Russia ancestors who began arriving in Dakota Territory 150 years ago, which led to the settlement of the Freeman community. Historic presentations will include, “From Ukraine With Love: The History of Chislic,” and “Chislic Food of the Frontier,” with lan Tuttle and the Heritage Hall Museum & Archives
In addition to a force of local volunteers, the festival will include participation from the Freeman Lions Club, Menno Volunteer Fire Department, Tegan’s Light, Freeman Regional Health Services and Freeman Senior Citizen Center.
Festival goers will also be invited to explore the Family Zone at Heritage Hall Museum & Archives. The exhibits there tell the Freeman community story from its earliest days and feature household items, automobiles, farm implements and historic buildings. This is highlighted by a rare pioneer home restored to its original condition.
The museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on July 26. Admission options include individual, and family passes with wristbands that enable guests to come-and-go throughout the day. More details can be found at heritagehallmuseum.com.
The South Dakota Chislic Festival was established in 2018 on the grounds of Freeman’s city park and ball field complex just months after the South Dakota Legislature named chislic the official state nosh. The thousands who came that first year overwhelmed organizers and prompted changes the following year, including the 2019 move to the Prairie Arboretum where it has been an established summertime fixture.
Governor Kristi Noem recognized the Freeman community and the SDCF with the Peter Norbeck Excellence in Tourism Innovation Award at the Governor’s Conference on Tourism in 2023 and in 2024 festival officials were invited to be part of Travel South Dakota’s trip to New York City to promote unique events happening in the state.
To learn more about the SDCF and programming specific to this year, visit sdchislicfestival.com.
