SOUTH DAKOTA DEPT. OF GAME, FISH AND PARKS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, Sept. 19, 2005
CONTACT: Emilie Miller, 773-4235

CUSTER, S.D. – A one-of-a-kind, western weekend awaits Oct. 1 through Oct. 3 at the annual Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup and Annual Arts Festival.

"There is always plenty of fun and excitement at this event, whether you spend just a day or the entire weekend with us," said Craig Pugsley, visitor services coordinator for Custer State Park. "This year's arts festival will feature lots of entertainment and activities. We have more than 100 arts and craft exhibitors, as well as western and Native American artwork and a number of food vendors."

The festival will kick off with a pancake feed at 8 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday. Visitors can explore the arts and crafts booths near the State Game Lodge from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Entertainment will be provided by dancers, cowboy poets and western and Native American performers. Festival activities include the Black Hills Cowboy Mounted Shooters and the park’s famous Buffalo Chip Flip contest. Programs will also be held throughout the day in the educational tent and will include demonstrations on spinning, quilting, making rope, weaving pine needle baskets, and presentations on snakes and the life of a buffalo hunter.

The 16th Annual Buffalo Wallow Chili Cookoff, sponsored by the Custer Area Chamber of Commerce, will be held Sunday, Oct. 2. As many as 50 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. For more information, contact the Custer Chamber of Commerce at (800) 992-9818.

According to Richard Miller, superintendent of Custer State Park, the Buffalo Roundup begins early Monday morning, Oct. 3, near the corrals along Wildlife Loop Road. Spectators should arrive between 6:30 and 7:30 a.m. For safety reasons, spectators are asked to remain in the viewing area until all the buffalo are corralled, around noon. "Buffalo are dangerous and unpredictable animals, we need to treat them with respect and give them plenty of room," Miller said.

After the buffalo are rounded up, the public is invited to take the free shuttles into the corral area and observe park staff brand, vaccinate and separate the herd in preparation for the Nov. 19 auction. A chuckwagon buffalo cookout will also be served in the corral area during this time. The cost of the meal is $7 per person and includes a buffalo barbecue sandwich, cowboy beans, chips and soft drink. Champion hoop dancer Jackie Bird and singing comedian Gordy Pratt, sponsored in part by the South Dakota Arts Council, will provide entertainment from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Arts Festival and Buffalo Roundup activities are free, although a South Dakota state park entrance license is required to enter the park.

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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