Flashback: South Dakota Lemonade Stand Makes Huge Splash

Do you remember a young kid named Wyatt Dennis who sold lemonade to the bikers during the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally? Who would have imagined that one simply lemonade stand would top local and national news?!

Well this year during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, Wyatt was back selling lemonade to the bikers visiting South Dakota. He was asking all his customers for free-will donations that will go towards the kids at St. Jude's Children's Hospital. His goal? Wyatt wants to raise $65,000 for the kiddos by the end of August!

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Wyatt has done a fantastic job on his Facebook page keeping lemonade lovers in the loop about how much money has currently been raised. So far $17,500 has been donated.

Let's help Wyatt reach his goal! He only has about two weeks left to earn the money. You can find out more information about Wyatt and his journey by clicking here.

If you forget who Wyatt is, here's the original story from last year about Wyatt and his mission:

There are a lot of activities to participate in during the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. But let's face it…the days are long and hot. There truly is no better way to cool off than enjoying a glass of ice-cold lemonade!

A little lemonade stand from 8-year-old Wyatt Dennis is gaining a lot of national attention primarily because Wyatt is only accepting free-will donations. He started the lemonade stand to save money for college, the St. Jude's Children Hospital, and his very own dirt bike.

Well, people including bikers from Sturgis started to notice Wyatt's lemonade stand, and this kid got the surprise of his life.

KOTA TV ( a Dakota News Now partner) is reporting that the Black Hill Riders group made Wyatt's dream of owning a dirt bike a reality. The president of the Black Hill Riders, Jonathan Alkier, "decided to post on social media so that he could pool enough money to gift Wyatt a new bike. He says donations came in within hours, all around the nation."

The huge smile on Wyatt's face from the Rapid City Police Department's Facebook page says it all! Wyatt was just speechless. He explained to KOTA TV, “It started with one person that was staying next door in the campground. They shared a post and what do you know, it blew up.” According to Wyatt, he was saving 20% of his lemonade profits for a new dirt bike. Now he's thinking he may own two new bikes! What a kid!

Jonathan Alkier of the Black Hills Riders says he's just happy that the entire community was able to come together for Wyatt. Wyatt even created his own Facebook page for his lemonade stand business. You can check that out here!

LOOK: 10 Reasons to Visit the South Dakota Badlands

Returning from a weekend trip to Rapid City, South Dakota for state basketball tournaments we decided to visit the Badlands National Park.

A quick turn-off I-90 will take you into some of the most awe-inspiring scenery.

It's also fun to note that several big-screen movies were filmed in the Badlands. Dances With Wolves, Starship Troopers, Armageddon, and most recently, Academy Award winner, Nomadland.

It's a spectacular park with tons to do. If you're setting out on a hike, bring lots of water and sign the hikers' logs at the trailheads. It could save your life. It's a tough place to survive.

Here are 10 facts about the Badlands:

Here Are The 7 Remaining Drive-In Theaters In South Dakota

If you were born last century...you know, in the nineteen hundreds (ugh)...you may have spent a summer evening in the car watching movies. I don't mean on your phone, I mean at the drive-in movie theater!

If you were in Sioux Falls in the 1970s and '80's you may remember seeing Jaws and Indiana Jones at The East Park or the Starlite Drive-In. Both drive-ins opened just after World War 2. The East Park didn't make it out of the '70s, closing in 1978. The Starlite survived long enough to see the birth of home video, closing in 1985.

FLASHBACK: Remember the East Park and Starlite Drive-in Theaters in Sioux Falls?

Drive-in movies had a bit of a resurgence during the pandemic. They were a way to go out and do something social without getting out of your car.

If you tried one during that time, or you remember the fun of a warm summer evening watching movies on that giant screen there are still places in South Dakota and around Sioux Falls you can do it.

Source: Flashback: South Dakota Lemonade Stand Makes Huge Splash

Filed Under: 2021 Sturgis Rally, 2022 Sturgis Rally, Rapid City, South Dakota, Sturgis, Sturgis Motorcycle Rally

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