Hard to believe, but Rapid City’s Summer Nights in downtown Rapid City is now in its third year. It’s a great event, and people fill the streets each Thursday night to dance, drink, play and enjoy the warm evening air. (It’s been raining so much lately that someone the other day referred to this region as the Black Hills National Rain Forest.)

I didn’t make it down to the first Summer Nights of the year, but my friend Jayne Rose sent me a few photos.

Summer Nights is more than a street dance. There are bouncy castles, face painting and other stuff for kids. And there are food booths scattered around, mostly on Seventh Street where most of the activity is centered.

The biggest draw is the free live music. This Thursday Abbey Road, the popular Beatles tribute band, will take the stage. Other acts this summer — Summer Nights continues until the first weekend in September — include Dogs Without Sweaters, Thieving Magpies, Judd Hoos and Groovedaddy.

You can find the whole schedule on the Summer Nights website.

It really is a good time, even when the weather is not so cooperative. But I have a feeling we’re actually going to start having some real summer nights in the Black Hills.