·         Hang with the Bats at Custer State Park

·         Adams Homestead Set for Annual Festival

 

Hang with the Bats at Custer State Park

 

CUSTER S.D. – Ever wonder about the number of bat species in South Dakota? How about the research methods scientists use to study bats? Learn the answers to these questions and many more at the 2nd annual South Dakota Bat Festival at Custer State Park on Saturday, August 11.

 

This fun, family-friendly event will start at 5 p.m. with bat information on display and experts available to answer questions and give educational presentations. An evening program from 8:30 to 10 p.m. will include demonstrations of bat research methods and survey equipment. Visitors will be able to get a close-up view of biologists mist-netting bats as part of an ongoing survey.

 

“This is an exciting and educational event for people of all ages,” said Bradley Block, chief of interpretation for Custer State Park. “Many bat experts will be present to share their knowledge and give live demonstrations.”

 

The festival will take place at the Tatanka Theatre in the Game Lodge Campground of Custer State Park. The Tatanka Theatre is approximately 14 miles east of Custer on U.S. Highway 16A. The event is free; however, a park entrance license is required on all vehicles in the park. Temporary and annual entrance licenses will be available for purchase a park entrance booths. Temporary licenses are $5 per person or $12 per vehicle. Annual entrance licenses are $23 per vehicle.

 

The festival is sponsored by South Dakota Bat Working Group, Custer State Park, South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Wildlife Division, South Dakota State University, Batworks and BS BioServ, Inc. 

 

For more information on Custer State Park, visit www.CusterStatePark.info or call (605) 255-4515. For more information on the South Dakota Bat Festival, contact Bradley Phillips at (605) 673-4853 or Joel Tigner with Batworks at (605) 721-4564.

 

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Adams Homestead Set for Annual Festival

 

PIERRE, S.D. – A fun-filled day of free activities and entertainment is planned for this year’s Adam Homestead Celebration on Saturday, Aug. 11. This free event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

 

Visitors are invited to spend the entire day at the Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve. There will be programs, presentations, music and crafts for the entire family to enjoy. Visitors can learn about the history of the area, take in South Dakota’s heritage and explore the outdoors. 


Many new and exciting activities are scheduled for this year’s event including a threshing machine demonstration, cornshelling, candlemaking, tin punching, feather brush painting, homestead tours, storytellers, musicians, watermelon seed spitting contest, buffalo chip throwing contest, face painting, rope making, rendezvous area and much, much more!

 

Visitors are encouraged to wear walking shoes and dress appropriately for the weather. Bikes and strollers are welcome. Food and refreshments will be available for purchase. 

 

The Adam’s Homestead Celebration is held annually in August to commemorate the official opening as Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve as a state park on August 14, 1997.

 

Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve is located two miles southwest of McCook Lake, Exit 4 off I-29. Visitors can follow the brown nature area signs from the interstate. For additional information on the festival, contact the park office at (605) 232-0873. For additional information on South Dakota State Parks, visit www.SDpark.info or call (605) 773-3391.

 

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