SURF celebrates annual Neutrino Day free citywide science festival July 11th
Join the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) and the community of Lead, SD for a full day of FREE hands-on activities, live science stage performances, speakers, and live music.
On Saturday, July 11, the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) will host the 18th annual Neutrino Day in Lead, SD. This free, citywide science festival features hoistroom tours, science activities and exhibits for all ages, engaging talks and performances, and live video chats with engineers and scientists underground.
Neutrino Day takes place at locations across Lead, including the Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center, the Sanford Underground Research Facility Yates Hoistroom, Čhaŋgléška Wakȟáŋ, the Handley Recreation Center, the Hampton Inn, and the Historic Homestake Opera House. Attendees are encouraged to start the day by registering at the Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center, then take a shuttle or stroll along Main Street to other festival locations throughout Lead.
The full Neutrino Day schedule of events can be found here.
This year features an exhilarating performance with the ever-popular Science Steve with South Dakota Public Broadcasting. Hands-on science activities include the University of Colorado’s Little Shop of Physics, with experiences that make science accessible to everyone. South Dakota Mines will also be present with their ever-popular homemade liquid nitrogen ice cream and other STEM activities, including the university’s Museum of Geology. There will be over 40 interactive booths and spaces with hands-on learning for people of all ages!
The day includes live music at SURF’s ethnobotanical garden, Čhaŋgléška Wakȟáŋ by Sequoia Crosswhite. Additional music will be provided at the Homestake Opera House by the One-Armed Bandits, a Spearfish-based trio. Join an underground livestream from the DUNE caverns, learn the story of SURF at a talk titled SURF 101, ask physicists questions during an open-panel discussion, and hear the latest on the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) now being built at SURF.
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Kids of all ages engaged in hands-on science learning during the 2024 celebration of Neutrino Day in Lead, SD.
Photo by Matthew Kapust
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A child listens to a communication device brought by Little Shop of Physics during the Neutrino Day 2024 event.
Mike Ray
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A child takes part in a science learning activity showing a model of the water pumping system at SURF during Neutrino Day 2024.
Mike Ray
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Starr Chief Eagle performs a Lakota hoop dance at Čhaŋgléška Wakȟáŋ during Neutrino Day 2025 in Lead, SD.
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A volunteer runs a demonstration of underground air flow at Neutrino Day 2024.
Matthew Kapust
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A trio of Neutrino Day attendees marvel at the model of SURF's underground inside the Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center
Mike Ray
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Generous support from a long list of sponsors make Neutrino Day possible, including Black Hills Energy, RCS Construction, Fermilab, Travel South Dakota, Neiman, Coeur Wharf, Security First Bank, Monument Health, South Dakota Mines, Black Hills State University, Hampton Inn, Dakota Gold, South Dakota Public Broadcasting, and Simpsons Printing.
SURF’s Neutrino Day community partners provide support in the Northern Hills, they include Aspire Boutique, Bloomers Flowers and Cakes, Bob's Silver Star Lounge, City of Lead, Dakota Shivers Brewing, Gentle Grind Coffee Co, Handley Center, Homestake Opera House, Lead Area Chamber of Commerce, Lead Deadwood Arts Center, Hearst Library, Lewie's Burger & Brews, Lumpy's Casino Bar, Lynn's Dakotamart, Miners & Merchants Trading Post, Recreational Springs Resort, and the Stampmill Restaurant.
