MEDORA, N.D. — Major preparations are underway for what is expected to be the most significant celebration in North Dakota’s recent history: the grand opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library. Scheduled for July 1-5, 2025, this landmark event is anticipated to draw between 20,000 and 40,000 attendees, including invited dignitaries and all living former presidents.
The festivities mark a pivotal moment in the nation’s 250th birthday celebration, promising an unforgettable experience for spectators. “We’re eagerly anticipating final numbers of what the estimates are,” said Medora Police Chief Russel Lapp, emphasizing the enormity of this occasion.
The excitement surrounding this event surged following National Geographic‘s recognition of the North Dakota Badlands as one of its “Best of the World” travel destinations for 2026, spotlighting the presidential library’s significance in this stunning landscape.
Medora, a small tourist town with a population of just 160, is preparing for a monumental influx of visitors. “We’re accustomed to handling thousands of visitors, but not on this scale,” said Billings County Sheriff Dean Wyckoff. Local officials are coordinating with state law enforcement to ensure public safety during the festivities.
The county has taken proactive measures, working alongside the library foundation and the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation to enhance emergency access routes. Enhancements to a two-mile trail adjacent to the library will allow emergency vehicles to navigate effectively, while Chateau Road will gain a third lane to accommodate increased traffic flow.
Events during the opening celebration will feature a mix of VIP activities and public access. The library will be open to the general public starting July 5, with standard admissions commencing on July 12. The last major dedication in Medora, in 1949, saw an estimated 30,000 attendees, a benchmark that organizers are keenly aware of as they finalize plans for the upcoming events.
The celebration will include a day of speeches broadcasted for wider audiences, along with three evenings of spectacular drone shows visible from a vast area, set to captivate thousands.
Currently, the library construction, with a budget of $450 million, is nearing completion. The project, encompassing 96,000 square feet, is expected to be fully enclosed by November, with interior work and exhibit installations continuing into early 2025. “Everything’s on schedule,” stated Matt Briney, the library foundation’s chief communications officer. “We’re moving right along and will be working right up to the opening.”
As Medora braces for this historic event, local leaders express a mix of pride and anticipation. “This is a lifetime opportunity to be part of something this immense,” Chief Lapp reflected.
As the date approaches, all eyes will be on Medora, North Dakota, making preparations for an unforgettable celebration that will resonate across the nation.
