SURF sees record turnout for Neutrino Day; attendance tops 2300
The Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) saw record attendance at the 2025 celebration of Neutrino Day.
More than 2300 people took part in the 2025 celebration of Neutrino Day in Lead, SD.
This collection of photos, captured during the event by SURF staff, may tell the story best.
“We can’t achieve our mission of advancing world-class science and inspiring learning across generations without the generous support and contributions from our staff, volunteers, community partners, and sponsors,” said Mike Headley, executive director of the South Dakota Science and Technology Authority and laboratory director at SURF. “SURF has a bright future in the Black Hills thanks to all those who are helping us build the workforce of tomorrow through inspirational events like Neutrino Day.”
More than 200 volunteers helped make the event a success, supporting more than 40 booths, events, and activities throughout the day. Local organizations and businesses brought hands-on activities to engage festival goers of all ages in science learning fun.
Generous support from a long list of sponsors and community partners make Neutrino Day possible, including Black Hills Energy, Fermilab, RCS Construction, Monument Health, Coeur Wharf, Neiman, Dakota Gold, South Dakota Mines, Black Hills State University, Hampton Inn, and community partners in Lead including the City of Lead, Dakota Shivers Brewery, Handley Center, Homestake Opera House, Lasagna Mountain, Lead Area Chamber of Commerce, Lead Deadwood Arts Center, Lotus Up, Lynn’s Dakotamart, Miners & Merchants Trading Post, Simpsons Printing, and the Stampmill.
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Professor Sko performs inside the Homestake Opera House during the 2025 celebration of Neutrino Day in Lead, SD.
Photo by Matthew Kapust
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A full house is gathered inside the classroom at the Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center for the Neutrino Day 2025 livestream from the underground hosted by Fermilab.
Photo by Matthew Kapust
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Children engaged in hands-on learning activities with circuit boards, created by the 2025 SURF Artist in Residence Chris Combs, at Neutrino Day in Lead, SD.
Photo by Matthew Kapust
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One of about 200 Neutrino Day volunteers engages the public in a lively description of the science happening at SURF and Fermilab during the 2025 event in Lead, SD.
Photo by Matthew Kapust
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Children and an adults alike engage in hands-on learning and fun during Neutrino Day 2025 in Lead, SD. This group is looking at a gold bearing rock being described by Dr. Colin Paterson, a professor emeritus of geology at South Dakota Mines.
Photo by Matthew Kapust
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Children engage in hands-on learning fun with a listening contraption built by the Little Shop of Physics during Neutrino Day 2025.
Photo by Matthew Kapust
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Dr. Douglas Tiedt, a research scientist at SURF, fills a dewar with liquid nitrogen for the South Dakota Mines Physics Department to use in making their very popular liquid nitrogen ice cream, during the celebration of Neutrino Day 2025 in Lead, SD.
Photo by Matthew Kapust
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A child jumps through a hoop at Čhaŋgléška Wakȟáŋ during a hoop dancing activity that took place at the 2025 celebration of Neutrino Day.
Photo by Sam Kapust
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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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Amber Sky Aerial performs "The Physics Behind Aerial Arts" which includes physicist Gavin Cox at a whiteboard doing equations and an aerial arts teacher, Kaitlyn Abrahamson on the silks, at the 2025 celebration of Neutrino Day in Lead, SD.
Photo by Matthew Kapust
