CRAZY HORSE MEMORIAL - A crisp night didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the crowd of over 3,000 at Crazy Horse Memorial on September 6, commemorating the 100th birthday of late sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski and the 131st anniversary of the death of Crazy Horse.

The evening’s program and festivities began with remarks from Crazy Horse Memorial Cultural Affairs Specialist, Robert Cook, who shared some history and background about Crazy Horse the man, followed by longtime friend of the Ziolkowski family, Fred Tully, who provided some poignant memories of Korczak.

Immediately following the program, guests enjoyed the spectacular Legends in Light laser show. At the conclusion of the laser show, the 93-second night blast began with lasers outlining the number 100 in honor of Korczak, followed by fire balls lighting up the mountain in grand fashion and thunderous booms echoing throughout the hills. To end the evening, visitors were invited to the restaurant for cake decorated for Korczak’s birthday, and they were greeted with a warm welcome from Mrs. Ruth Ziolkowski, CEO/President of the Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation and wife of the late sculptor.

In the afternoon of September 6, Mrs. Ziolkowski drew the lucky winner for the 60th anniversary Crazy Horse theme bike. The winner hails from Santa Clarita, CA. This is the third year the Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation has sponsored a bike raffle fundraiser. Following the drawing, memorial officials unveiled the bike for the 2009 drawing, a Harley-Davidson Street Glide that features a Korczak 100th birthday theme. Tickets are one for $20 or three for $50 and may be purchased at the Memorial or by calling (605) 673-4681. All proceeds go to the project. The drawing will be September 6, 2009.

There were hundreds of pounds of food and hundreds of dollars collected for the KOTA Care and Share Food Drive. The memorial is between Hill City and Custer in the southern Black Hills on U.S. Highway 16/385.

For more information on the memorial, visit www.crazyhorsememorial.org