· Annual Buffalo Roundup and Arts Festival Set for Custer State Park
· State Parks Open for Camping Year-Round
Annual Buffalo Roundup and Arts Festival Set for Custer State Park
CUSTER, S.D. – Entertainment, art, food and a herd of 1,500 buffalo await Custer State Park visitors at the annual Buffalo Roundup and Arts Festival Sept. 29 through Oct. 1, 2007.
"This one-of-a-kind western weekend offers fun and entertainment for the entire family,”" said Dee McCarthy, event coordinator for Custer State Park. "This year we are excited to offer a day especially for kids. On Saturday, we will have face painting, games and children’s entertainment in addition to the regular entertainment and more than 100 arts and craft exhibitors."
The festival kicks off both Saturday and Sunday with a pancake feed at 8 a.m. Entertainment of dancers, cowboy poets and western and Native American performers starts at 8:30 a.m. Visitors can explore the arts and crafts booths near the State Game Lodge from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The park’s famous Buffalo Chip Flip contest will take place both Saturday and Sunday.
Programs will also be held throughout the day in the educational tent and will include demonstrations on spinning, quilting and harmonica playing along with presentations on snakes, birds and park naturalist programs.
The 18th Annual Buffalo Wallow Chili Cook-off, sponsored by the Custer Area Chamber of Commerce, will start at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 29. As many as 30 chili chefs compete for cash prizes and trophies. Prizes are awarded for the top three recipes, as well as the People’s Choice and Showmanship awards. Judging will be held at 12:30 p.m. followed by public tasting from 1 to 3 p.m. or until the chili is gone. For more information, contact the Custer Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-992-9818.
The Buffalo Roundup begins early Monday morning, Oct. 1, near the corrals along Wildlife Loop Road. Parking areas open at 6:15 a.m. and close at 9:00 a.m. This year spectators will need to decide upon the viewing/parking area they plan to watch the roundup from prior to Monday morning. Visitors who want to watch from the North viewing area should travel down the Wildlife Loop Road from the State Game Lodge side. Those wishing to view from the South viewing area should travel down the Wildlife Loop Road from the Blue Bell side.
“For safety reasons, spectators are asked to remain in the viewing areas until all the buffalo are corralled, around noon,” said Custer State Park superintendent, Richard Miller. "Buffalo are dangerous and unpredictable animals, we need to treat them with respect and give them plenty of room.” After the buffalo are rounded up, the public is invited to take free shuttles into the corral area where testing, branding and sorting of the buffalo will begin at 1 p.m. in preparation for the Nov. 17 auction. Food, art and craft booths and entertainment will also be available near the corrals on Monday.
There is no cost to attend the Arts Festival, although a South Dakota state park entrance license is required to enter the park. A park entrance license is not required on the Monday of the Buffalo Roundup.
To learn more about the roundup and arts festival or to request a brochure, contact Custer State Park at (605) 255-4515 or e-mail CusterStatePark@state.sd.us. More information can also be found online at www.CusterStatePark.info.
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State Parks Open for Camping Year-Round
PIERRE, S.D. – With Labor Day behind us, it might be easy to consider it the end of the camping season for 2007. However, South Dakota's state parks offer camping and recreational opportunities year-round.
After Labor Day weekend, most campgrounds offer first-come, first-served camping. However, reservations can be made for arrival dates through Oct. 8 at Big Sioux Recreation near Brandon, Custer State Park near Custer, Lewis and Clark Recreation Area near Yankton, Newton Hills State Park near Canton, Palisades State Park near Garretson and Snake Creek Recreation Area near Platte.
Many South Dakota state parks also offer camping cabins for those who are looking for a weekend getaway. Camping cabins have heating and air conditioning and sleep up to four people each. Reservations for cabins can be made year-round within 90 days of arrival.
For larger groups, lodges are available at Lake Thompson, Shadehill, Newton Hills and Mina Lake recreation areas. Guests using the lodges have many amenities at their fingertips and only need to bring personal items, linens and food. Reservations for all arrival dates in 2007 are currently being accepted. Oahe Downstream also has a lodge available for group gatherings. It can be reserved through the park at (605) 223-7722.
Educational programming and
activities continue in the parks with weekend Walk in the Park programs and
Halloween activities topping the list. Visit
www.SDparks.info for more information on park events. Most events are free,
although a park entrance license is required year-round.
To make a reservation at one of the above parks or for a camping cabin or lodge, visit www.CampSD.com or call (800) 710-CAMP (2267). For more information on South Dakota state parks, visit www.SDparks.info or call (605) 773-3391
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