Gold Discovery Days events scheduled

Gold Discovery Days is returning to Custer for the 100th time this year, and there are plenty of activities and events to check out in this milestone year. From volleyball and cornhole tournaments to flower shows and from live music to hot air balloon festivals, look no further for a weekend full of excitement and fun.

The fun begins on Thursday night with the carnival going from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.. The carnival will be located on Washington Street between Sixth Street and Eighth Street. People of all ages will also be able to enjoy the carnival on Friday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., on Saturday from noon to 10 p.m. and on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

The action on Friday kicks off with the Gold Pedal from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Black Hills Power Bikes. 

Then festivity-seekers  can turn their attention from pedals to petals when the Caroline Hatton Flower Show begins at 9 a.m. at the Custer Senior Center. The show continues on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

From 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. there will be an arts and crafts festival on Washington Street between Fifth and Sixth streets. The festival will continue on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and again on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m..

At 5:15 there will be some fun for the younger ones at the Kids’ Gold Nugget Hunt at Harbach Park. 

Following the Gold Nugget Hunt is the Gold Panner’s Race on Washington Street between Third and Fourth Streets. 

A variety of live entertainment is available to close out the first night of the celebration. The Midnight Sun Band will play at the VFW from 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. and Josh Hoyer and Soul Colossal will play at the Custer Beacon from 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.. A Broadway musical, “The Drowsy Chaperone” will also be at 7:30 p.m. at the Black Hills Playhouse on both Friday and Saturday night. The Legends in Light Laser Show will play at dark (approximately 9:30 p.m.) each night of the celebration at Crazy Horse Memorial. 

The excitement continues bright and early Saturday morning with a hot air balloon rally at Pageant Hill (weather permitting). The rally will contrinue on Sunday, also at 5:30 a.m..

After the hot air ballon rally, the Custer Lion’s Club will be hosting a pancake breakfast at Way Park from 6:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. 

The Black Hills Gold Prospecting Club will be at French Creek Park from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for gold panning in French Creek, where gold was first disovered in the Black Hills. They will be back at French Creek Park on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A car show will also take  place on Washington Street from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Gold Discovery Days Parade—the largest in the Black Hills—begins at 10 a.m. and passes along Mount Rushmore Road between Eighth Street and Third Street. 

Following the parade, the Custer Senior Center will be serving a sloppy joe lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Senior Center. 

The Gold Discovery Days Volleyball Tournament happens Saturday at the volleyball courts at Seventh and Washington Street. The tournament begins at 1 p.m., and registration begins at noon. 

From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. there will be a State Hospital reunion at the Custer VFW Post 3442.

At 2 p.m. on Saturday will be the cornhole tournament at Mount Rushmore Brewing Company. 

More live music will be  at various locations around town for people to enjoy in the evening hours on Saturday. First up is the Nate Champion Band at the Custer Beacon from 5:30 p.m. until 11 p.m.. Then, the Sun Dog Band plays until midnight at the Gold Pan Saloon beginning at 6 p.m. To round out Saturday’s music lineup is Ivory in Concert at Mount Rushmore Brewing Company at 7:30. 

 Sunday starts off running (literally) with the annual Gold Rush Fun Run beginning at 8 a.m., and registration begins at 7 a.m. The run is a 5K on the Mickelson Trail and begins at the Custer Area Chamber of Commerce at 615 Washington Street.

At 9 a.m. Vineyard of the Black Hills and Crossroads Church will be offering a church service at Way Park on Mount Rushmore Road and Fourth Street. 

In the afternoon, the Walt Thomas Memorial Golf Scramble will tee off at 1 p.m.. Pre-registration is recommended, and a maximum of 18 four-member teams will play. Golfers without a full group of four players can be grouped with others. Contact Cheyanne at 605-673-4481 for more information.

Gold Miner Bingo starts at 2 p.m. at the Custer VFW Post 3442. 

At the Black Hills Playhouse, there will be a matinee performance of “The Drowsy Chaperone” at 2 p.m..

With the closing of the last ride at the Gold Discovery Days Carnival at 5 p.m., the 100th annual Gold Discovery Days also ends. 

For more information on anything Gold Discovery Days, contanct the Custer Area Chamber of Commerce at 605-673-2244.