April 24, 2009
Go Wild with Education in CSP
Custer State Park
Admission: Yes
Accessible: Yes
Contact: Custer State Park, Brad Block
Phone: 605-255-4464
*State Park Entrance License Required

The weekend event is geared for teachers and outdoor enthusiasts that have an intrest in enviromental education. There is a fee associated with this event. Space is limited to 18 participants on a first come first serve basis. For more information please call the Peter Norbeck Center at 605-255-4464 after March 1, 2009.

May 3, 2009
Korczak Day
Crazy Horse
Admission: Yes
Accessible: Yes
Contact: Crazy Horse Memorial, Ace Crawford
Phone: 605-673-4681

Please join us and celebrate the anniversary of Sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski's 1947 arrival in the Black Hills to accept Lakota Leader's invitation to carve Crazy Horse Memorial. There will be a night blast weather permitting.

May 15, 2009 to May 17, 2009
Custer State Park Spring Open House Weekend
Custer State Park
Admission: Free
Accessible: No
Contact: Custer State Park, Brad Block
Phone: 605-255-4515

Enjoy a free weekend in South Dakota State Parks. Enter the park free on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. There is free fishing as well as many special events including pancake breakfasts, fishing derbies, Volksmarches, hayrides, cookouts, remote controlled aircraft shows and buffalo chip flip.

May 16, 2009 to September 30, 2009
Custer State Park Seasonal Volksmarch
Custer State Park
Admission: Yes
Accessible: No
Contact: Custer State Park , Brad Block
Phone: 605-255-4515
*State Park Entrance License Required

Non-competitive walk on a pre-marked trail along the Wildlife Loop Road. The 11K (7-mile) hike begins at the Peter Norbeck Visitor Center in Custer State Park.

May 23, 2009 to May 25, 2009
Memorial Day Weekend Open House
Crazy Horse
Admission: Yes
Accessible: Yes
Contact: Crazy Horse Memorial, Ace Crawford
Phone: 605-673-4681

Guest artists and crafts people show their work in the Indian Museum and Cultural Center. Free admission to residents of South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming and the Nebraska panhandle. Requested donation of three cans of food per person for the KOTA Care and Share Food Drive are gratefully accepted in lieu of admission.

May 29, 2009
Walk in the Park: Family Hike with Little Nature Lovers
Custer State Park
Admission: Free
Accessible: Yes
Contact: Custer State Park, Brad Block
Phone: 605-255-4515
*State Park Entrance License Required

Late summer....and, your family has not had any time together? Is so, this short guided hike takes participants through a meandering habitat of pine trees, creek scenery and natural features. Grab the kids, load strollers and make ready for an exciting educational outing. Be prepared for many questions because your kids will be thrilled by the trailside activities. Hike starts at 10:30 a.m.

June 3, 2009
Crazy Horse Dedication Ceremony
Crazy Horse
Admission: Yes
Contact: Crazy Horse Memorial, Ace Crawford
Phone: 605-673-4681

Anniversary of 1948 dedication of the memorial and first mountain blast.. Three cans of food person for entry.

June 6, 2009
Walk in the Park : Exploring the Waves of Grass
Custer State Park
Admission: Free
Accessible: No
Contact: Custer State Park, Brad Block
Phone: 605-255-4515

Most park visitors take the mixes grass prairie for granted. However, Custer State park offers over 18,000 acres of grassland habitat, which houses a diversity of life. From wildflowers to grasses, from wildlife to unseen beauty, this guided hike exposese participants to the significance of the Great Plains. Hike starts at 9 a.m.

June 6, 2009
Walk in the Park: Reach the Peak - Little Devil's Tower
Custer State Park
Admission: Free
Accessible: No
Contact: South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, Bradley Block
Phone: 605-255-4515
*State Park Entrance License Required

This guided two-mile hike takes participants to the highest point within Custer State Park. The trail winds through a spruce-pine forest setting, surrounded by granitic rock outcroppings. During the hike, the geological story of the Black Hills will be shared, along with some hands-on activities for kids. Hike starts at 1 p.m.

June 6, 2009 to June 7, 2009
Crazy Horse Volksmarch
Crazy Horse
Admission: Yes
Contact: Crazy Horse Memorial, Ace Crawford
Phone: 605-673-4681

Bring your friends for a day of fun and trail walking. This event is free to hikers. Requested donation is three cans of food to be donated to KOTA Care and Share food drive.

June 19, 2009 to June 21, 2009
Crazy Horse Stampede Rodeo
Crazy Horse
Admission: Yes
Accessible: Yes
Contact: Crazy Horse Memorial, Ace Crawford
Phone: 605-673-4681

Annual Great Plains Indian Rodeo Assoc. and PRCA rodeo events. Native American/Western arts and crafts show/sale and fashion show/sale.

June 26, 2009
Crazy Horse June Night Blast

Admission: Yes
Accessible: Yes
Contact: Crazy Horse Memorial, Ace Crawford
Phone: 605-673-4681

There will be an evening program honoring Mrs. Korczak (Ruth) Ziolkowski's birthday followed by a laser light show and a night blast weather permitting.

July 3, 2009 to July 5, 2009
4th of July Old Time Country Fair
Custer
Admission: Free
Accessible: Yes
Contact: Colleen Hennessy
Phone: 605-673-2443

The event features art, craft, and antique exhibitors, children's activities, 4th of July children's parade, living history characters, lost art demonstrations, entertainment, food and special events that would be found at an old-fashioned country fair and a 4th of July celebration.

July 30, 2009 to August 9, 2009
Custer Cruisin'
Custer
Admission: Free
Accessible: Yes
Contact: Custer Area Chamber of Commerce, Pam Bilbruck
Phone: 605-673-2244 or 800-992-9818

Custer's own week-long motorcycle rally. Featuring all makes and models of bikes. There are also vendors, a bike show, and motorcycle activities scheduled, including a Mayor's Ride. Held in downtown Custer.

August 8, 2009
Annalee Memorial 10K Race
George S. Mickelson Trail
Admission: Yes
Accessible: No
Contact: Southern Hills Right to Life, Jack Sayles
Phone: 321-501-1978
*State Park Entrance License Required

This annual event features a 10K race on the Mickelson Trail from Crazy Horse to Harbach Park in the City of Custer. This is the most scenic race in the Black Hills. The race is all downhill for fast times.

August 15, 2009
South Dakota Bat Festival
Custer State Park
Admission: Free
Contact: South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, Craig Pugsley
Phone: 605-255-4515

This event allows participants to learn about bats and the on going research with the various species. Participants will be able to help biologist capture live bats.

August 21, 2009
Crazy Days
Custer
Admission: Free
Contact: Custer Chamber of Commerce, Pam Bilbruc
Phone: 605-673-2244

Crazy Fun!!!

September 6, 2009
Crazy Horse September Night Blast
Crazy Horse
Admission: Yes
Contact: Crazy Horse Memorial, Ace Crawford
Phone: 605-673-4681

Observation of dual anniversaries- 1877 death of Crazy Horse and 1908 birth of Sculptor Korczak Zilkowski. There will be a night blast following the laser light show, weather permitting.

September 11, 2009
Fall Historic Tour
Custer
Admission: Yes - Adults $10
Contact: 1881 Courthouse Museum, Colleen Hennessy
Phone: 605-673-2443

Custer Historical Society sponsors a three-hour tour of homes or other historic sites. Refreshments served on museum lawn.

September 25, 2009 to September 26, 2009
Custer Stampede Buffalo Art Auction
Custer
Admission: Free
Accessible: Yes
Contact: Custer Area Arts Council, Patty Ressler
Phone: 605-673-5955 or 800-992-9818

Absolute auction of life-size buffalo table top and free form bison art to the highest bidder. There are artist booths featuring bison artists and a reception.

September 25, 2009 to September 26, 2009
Buffalo Roundup Concert
Custer
Admission: Yes - Adults $20 Children $10
Accessible: Yes
Contact: Black Hills Play House, Mike Burgraff
Phone: 605-255-4141
*State Park Entrance License Required

During the Arts Festival and Buffalo Roundup activities Michael Martin Murphey will hold a full length concert at the Black Hills Play House. The Play House is within walking distance from the Center Lake campground. Join us for the concert and witness the beauty of the fall colors in Custer State Park and the spectacular Buffalo Roundup.

September 26, 2009 to September 28, 2009
Buffalo Roundup and Arts Festival
Custer State Park
Admission: Free
Accessible: Yes
Contact: Custer State Park, Craig Pugsley or Dick Miller
Phone: 605-255-4515

2 days of Arts Festival activities take place on Saturday September 26, and Sunday September 27. This is prior to the actual Buffalo Roundup held on Monday September 28. Roundup Day is the finale day, and climax of a full 3 days of planned events and activities. If folks don't want to miss any of 3 fun filled days, be sure to plan to attend September 26, 27, and 28.

September 27, 2009
Buffalo Wallow Chili Cook-off
Custer State Park
Admission: Yes - Adults $3 Children $2
Accessible: Yes
Contact: Custer Area Chamber of Commerce, Pam Bilbruck
Phone: 605-673-2244
*State Park Entrance License Required

Thirty competitors brew up their secret buffalo meat chili recipes. Public tasting is from 1 p.m. thru 3 p.m. or until the chili is gone, which ever happens first. Ticket sales begin @ 9 a.m.

September 28, 2009
Buffalo Roundup Day
Custer State Park
Admission: Free
Accessible: Yes
Contact: Custer State Park, Craig Pugsley or Dick Miller
Phone: 605-255-4515
Reservation for event Not Required

Park staff, cowboys and cowgirls saddle up to move the park's 1,500 bison to the buffalo corrals. This is the herd size number under normal rangeland conditions. The herd size is reduced to a lower number when abnormal range land conditions prevail, such as in years of drought. For these reasons the actual herd size can very by several hundred head annually. The roundup is the management tool that is used to adjust the herd size accordingly. Roundup Day is the finale day and climax of a full 3 days of planned events and activities. For folks that don't want to miss any of 3 fun filled days, be sure to plan to attend September 26, 27, and 28.