Planning Commission approves permit for Hills Alive to return

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KEVN) - The Rapid City Planning Commission has approved a conditional use permit to allow the Life-Light Hills Alive Music Festival.

The permit allows the festival to be held in Memorial Park on the third weekend in July.

The permit has been granted for the two-day Hills Alive Christian music festival to take place in Memorial Park on the third weekend of July. Last year, the festival’s future was uncertain when long-time sponsor KSLT pulled out, but in November, LifeLight took over sponsorship and operation of the event.

This year’s festival is expected to attract more than 40,000 attendees and will feature two concert stages, areas for children’s activities and inflatables, and temporary tents for food and merchandise vendors, first aid, ministry, and other festival activities - all similar to previous years.

“This is one of the City’s biggest events and a great thing for Rapid City,” said City Parks Director Jeff Biegler. “The festival is part of our work plan for the summer and we don’t expect many changes. We look forward to working with the event organizers for a successful event.”

The event has been held at Memorial Park since 1998. In 2019, a significant amendment to the conditional use permit was approved, allowing the event to be held annually without expiration. However, if there are any complaints, changes to the operations plan, or a change of operator of the event, the permit may be revoked.

LifeLight is currently considering expanding the festival activities in the coming years.

“The application filed by LifeLight for this summer’s event is very similar to what we’ve seen in the past,” said Community Development Director Vicki Fisher. “Back in 2019, the amendment was approved to allow for the event every year. With a new operator, an amendment to the permit needed to be approved for this year. If all goes well with the event this July, we’ll be working with LifeLight next year on proposed changes and additions to the event, and allowing for the event for a multi-year period.”

Event organizers have also been working to secure parking agreements with nearby property owners to offer additional parking options for event attendees.

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