Redfield Steps Up to the Plate for America's 250th

Content provided by the South Dakota 250th Commission.

From the crack of the bat to fireworks lighting up the prairie sky, Redfield is gearing up to celebrate America’s 250th birthday in true hometown style.

Known proudly as the “Pheasant Capital of the World©,” the community will center its festivities on one of America’s most cherished pastimes: baseball. The featured event, “Take Me Out to the Ball Game,” is set for Saturday, June 13, at Centennial Park. Organized by the City of Redfield, Redfield Parks and Recreation, and the Redfield Area Chamber of Commerce, the day will showcase baseball and softball tournaments with 24 local teams ages 8U and up!

For a town with deep baseball roots, the theme feels especially fitting. 

“Baseball has always been part of Redfield’s story,” said Kim Leonhardt, Chamber Tourism Director for the City of Redfield. “For America’s 250th, we wanted to celebrate something that brings people together across generations. When families gather at the ballfield, it’s more than a game, it’s community, tradition, and a reminder of the simple things that make small towns special.”

The celebration will include free admission, prizes for players, fan participation games during intermissions, and special America 250th shirts and pennants for the first 100 fans. The day will culminate with fireworks at dusk.

Beyond the ballfield, the celebration highlights Redfield’s history and community spirit. Visitors can explore the city’s historic landmarks, including The Chicago and NorthWestern Railroad Depot, a restored 1914 depot listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Train Day at the depot features train displays, model train demonstrations, and opportunities for visitors to share railroad memories, celebrating Redfield’s rich railroading heritage. 

Another local treasure, the Redfield Carnegie Library, built in 1902 with funding from Andrew Carnegie, is the oldest Carnegie library in South Dakota still in its original building. The library’s open house will feature Western and Adventure stories, history and baseball-themed books, and special treats for visitors, giving families a fun, interactive way to connect with the past.

Activities throughout the day, from barrel train rides for kids and live music to food trucks and a new flagpole dedication, showcase Redfield’s community spirit in action. The celebration continues on July 4 with a hometown parade and fireworks over Redfield Lake. 

Come join Redfield in the fun, and experience firsthand how a small town can celebrate America’s 250th with heart, history, and hometown pride.

REDFIELD’S AMERICA 250TH

Photos by Redfield Chamber of Commerce