Golden opportunities to experience Gold Discovery Days

Celebrate the golden days of summer in Custer at the 102nd Annual Gold Discovery Days celebration July 18-20.
In 1874 Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer led the 7th Cavalry troops into the Black Hills, where gold was discovered near present-day Custer. Along with the gold, Colonel Custer and his men discovered a wealth of beauty in the Black Hills.
Starting in 1923, Gold Discovery Days was born to commemorate the discovery. This year’s celebration promises something fun for everyone.
The festivities kick off Thursday night with the start of Mac’s Carnival and Attractions, located on Washington Street from Sixth to Eighth Street. The carnival will be open from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday and Friday. After the parade Saturday, the carnival will run until 10 p.m. Sunday the carnival will run from noon to 5 p.m. Tickets and wristbands are sold at the carnival, or wristband coupons can be purchased in advance at the Custer Area Chamber of Commerce office or website until July 16 at 5 p.m.
Running from Friday through Sunday is the Quilt and Fiber Show and Vendor Market at the Custer Armory, which begins at 9 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m. each day.
The Arts and Crafts Festival on Washington Street will be from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. The fair features various food and merchandise vendors and different organizations.
From 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., the Caroline Hatton Judged Flower Show will brighten the doors of the Custer Senior Center. This event is sponsored by the Custer Mile High Garden Club. Entries can be submitted between 9 and 11:30 a.m., and judging will take place from 12 to 2 p.m. The show continues into Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Friday evening will feature the Kids’ Gold Nugget Hunt at the Custer Chamber Office starting at 5:15 p.m. It is sponsored by Mount Rushmore Brewing Co.
Then, the Gold Panner’s Race will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Washington Street between Second and Third Streets.
For those looking for live music to close out the night, Hot City Soul will be performing at The Custer Beacon from 7 p.m. to midnight, and Stateline Ramblers will be performing at the VFW Post No. 3442 from 7 p.m. to midnight.
Saturday and Sunday festivities commence bright and early with a Hot Air Balloon Rally on Pageant Hill at 5:30 a.m., weather permitting.
After that, on Saturday, the Lions Club Pancake Breakfast at Way Park runs from 6:30 to 9 a.m.
From 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., the Black Hills Gold Prospecting Club will have an authentic gold prospecting demonstration and hands-on learning at French Creek Park.
From 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Bob Plaisted Memorial Car Show will be held on Washington Street between Second and Fourth Street.
As one of the annual highlights and one of the largest parades in the Black  Hills, the Gold Discovery Days Parade down Mount Rushmore Road will kick off at 10 a.m. Saturday.
For the parade, floats will line up on Pageant Hill and will exit that area on Ninth and Canal streets. They will take Ninth Street to Gordon Street. Then they will head west on Gordon Street and then turn north on Eighth Street. At Mt. Rushmore Road, the parade will head west. The parade will end at Fourth Street, where all floats will turn north. Road closures for the parade include Canal Street between Ninth and Eighth Streets, Gordon Street between 10th and Eighth Streets, the intersection of Ninth Street and Wright Drive, Eighth Street between Canal Street and Mt. Rushmore Road to include all the east side entries to Lynn's Dakotamart Parking lot, Mt. Rushmore Road between Eighth and Fourth streets and Fourth Street between Mt. Rushmore Road and Crook Street.
For lunch, attendees can head to the Sloppy Joe Lunch at the Custer Senior Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. It is $12 per person.
After lunch, the Gold Discovery Days Volleyball Tournament is set to start at 1 p.m. at the volleyball courts off Washington Street. Registration opens at noon.
If volleyball isn’t your sport of choice, the Gold Discovery Days Cornhole Tournament at Mount Rushmore Brewing Co. starts at 2 p.m.
The day will once again close out with a variety of live music. The Carson Brown Band is taking the stage at The Custer Beacon at 2 p.m. Following the performance are the Wilt Brothers at 5 p.m. and Camp Comfort at 9 p.m.
After the Hot Air Balloon Rally Sunday morning, the Gold Rush Fun Run on the Mickelson Trail starts at 8 a.m. at the Custer Chamber office, with registration opening at 7 a.m. There are divisions and prizes for several age groups.
At 9 a.m., Vineyard of the Black Hills and Crossroads Church are partnering to offer a special church service at Way Park.
Along with the ongoing events and carnival, the Walt Thomas Memorial Golf Scramble is taking place at Rocky Knolls Golf Course at 1 p.m.
R.I.S.E. Gold Miners Bingo is at 2 p.m. at the Custer VFW Post No. 3442.
Finally, the Black Hills Playhouse will be showing “Waitress The Musical” at 2 p.m. in its historic Custer State Park theater.
Along Washington Street to the north side of Mount Rushmore Road from Second Street to Eighth Street will be an open-container beverage area. In this area, alcoholic beverages will be allowed, but only if sold in specially-branded Gold Discovery Days event cups, which will be for sale at various locations around town. The open container area will be open Thursday, July 17, from 5-10 p.m., Friday, July 18 from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. and Saturday, July 19 from 10-12 a.m.
For more information on Gold Discovery Days or events, contact the Custer Area Chamber of Commerce at 605-673-2244.