CHISLIC FESTIVAL RETURNING JULY 26; MOVING TO EVERY-OTHER-YEAR FORMAT
The Freeman community and volunteers from the surrounding area — known as “The Chislic Circle” — are once again making plans to welcome thousands to the family-friendly South Dakota Chislic Festival (SDCF) later this month. The admission-free event will take place Saturday, July 26 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the grounds of the Freeman Prairie Arboretum located on the southwestern corner of town.
While the South Dakota state nosh will again be the star of the show, the festival will cater to a host of other family-friendly activities and will feature live music, beer and other food options throughout the day.
Meanwhile, the governing board that oversees the festival has announced that, after this year, the SDCF will be move to a biennial format.
“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,” said Andrea Baer, president of the board. “We want to provide the best experience possible.”
2025 FESTIVAL
In addition to featuring traditional chislic made from lamb or mutton and other food and drink options, this year’s festival will feature non-food vendors, and hands-on activities for families and children throughout the 40-acre site that features native grasses, trees, gardens, ponds and plenty of green space.
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 — and the arrival of chislic. Historic presentations will include, “From Ukraine With Love: The History of Chislic,” and “Chislic Food of the Frontier,” with Ian Tuttle and Marnette D. Hofer, the executive director and archivist at 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.
