BELLE FOURCHE—It seems like Hometown Thursdays can’t happen this year without some kind of weather event inviting itself to the festivities. This week, July 23, was no different as rain decided to join in on the fun evening after it was underway. The raindrops didn’t stop the community from enjoying the music, shopping, food or camaraderie of others. Folks found shelter or donned raincoats to stay dry. This was not the first time this summer that weather interrupted the outdoor event, with two previous rainstorms forcing the gathering to move indoors.
The rain didn’t deter the musical guests either. The Wilt Brothers Band—an area favorite—brought classic country music mixed with some early rock and roll. The band’s musical talents go beyond traditional instruments, incorporating a fiddle, harmonica, banjo and even a saxophone on occasion, along with a few other instruments in their repertoire. The band played on a covered stage. Sponsors allow the event to remain free for the community. This week, those businesses were EZ Fabrication and Welding, Hunter Terhark Agency LLC, Life Light Creative and Scott Peterson Sales.
The rain passed, the clouds moved out and the park was no worse for wear. The music and most of the activities continued.
After the rain finished, Chip Conner, president of Hometown Thursdays, addressed the crowd. “Thank you for our sponsors, we couldn’t make this whole series happen without them and their sponsorship. Also, this year we sure got a good line of vendors—they showed up and stuck with us in the rain. We got the beer stand over here,” he said. “And next week, we got Tim Zach coming up from Nebraska so we’ll give him a shot! I’ll see you all next week, thank you!”
Inside the Tri-State Museum, the kids stayed nice and dry playing in the events center in the bouncy house or putting together the activity of the evening, making sundials. Coloring pages and crayons were aplenty.
The 50/50 fundraiser raised a total of $626 with $313 going to the winner and the same amount going to this week’s fundraiser, Bronc Bird Busters. “We’re a trap shooting team,” explained Nathan Erhart, member. “(Money raised) goes to help fund our clay pigeons and our ammo.”
Vendors and food trucks lined the park to offer a large variety of food options. Mangled Foods, Asian Eatstreet, Rollin in the Hills, PooterQ, Crazee Cow Ice Cream, Pearson Block Candy Shop, Brain Freeze and Kernels & Kandies brought delicious food choices for an evening meal or a good snack.
Since 2013, Hometown Thursdays have been bringing live musicians to the community for weekly gatherings. This week was the eighth week in the ten-week series of the 2026 Hometown Thursdays Summer Concerts. The summer concerts draw community members together down by the river to enjoy a fun evening. The event runs every Thursday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Next week, Tim Zach Band will take the stage.
If you haven’t had a chance to check out the popular Thursday night activities at Hometown Thursdays, there are only two weeks left to participate in the special summer musical series. If you have been lucky enough to enjoy the weeknight down by the river, you know how fun it is!
Summer is flying by! The rest of the schedule includes July 30, Tim Zach Band; and August 6, JJ Kent with Aces and 8s.
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