CUSTER STATE PARK, S.D. – More than 14,000 people attended the 48th annual Buffalo Roundup on Sept. 27 at Custer State Park, matching crowd records from the previous five years.

“This has grown to be a great event, and we’re happy we can share a little bit of the Old West with those who are here for a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said Craig Pugsley, visitor services coordinator at Custer State Park.

Though Roundup attendance remained steady, the annual Roundup Arts Festival, held Sept. 28-29, saw a decrease in attendance this year compared to 2012.

“We had a good day on Saturday attendance-wise,” Pugsley said. “However, the crowds thinned out on Sunday. The lower attendance could be attributed to the high winds that forced some vendors to depart early, and guests heading home after a busy week in the Black Hills.

Custer State Park Superintendent Matt Snyder said the park is exploring the option of starting the Arts Festival on Friday afternoon, immediately following the Roundup.

The annual Roundup serves as a tool to help manage the park’s buffalo herd. About 350 buffalo will be sold at the park's annual auction on Saturday, Nov. 16. For additional information on the auction, contact the park at 605-255-4515 or email CusterStatePark@state.sd.us.

Upcoming Buffalo Roundups will be held on Friday, Sept. 26, 2014, and Friday, Sept. 25, 2015.

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