Christmas events come to Custer

The holidays have now descended upon the world, and Custer begins its own Christmas celebrations this week.
The centerpiece of the festivities will be the 34th Annual Custer Christmas Parade, which will be held Saturday, Dec. 2, at 5:30 p.m. The parade begins at 8th Street and Mt. Rushmore Road and continues along Mt. Rushmore Road until finishing at Way Park on 4th Street. Following the parade, parade watchers can stick around at Way Park to attend the Memorial Tree Lighting Ceremony.
People interested in entering the parade can call the Custer Area Chamber of Commerce at 605-673-2244,  fill out an online form at forms.gle/VTqjH1SK7Rhm9HVPA or download a registration form at custersd.com/Custer-Christmas-Parade. The deadline for entry is Dec. 1, and there is no fee for participating. The award categories for parade entries are:
• Custer’s Christmas Star Award, for best creativity and originality.
• Custer’s Holiday Spirit Award, for the most enthusiastic participants.
• Griswold Award, for best light display.
• Custer’s Caroling Award, for best music.
• Elfin Magic Award, for best entry featuring children.
For more information contact the Custer Area Chamber of Commerce at 605-673-2244 or go to custersd.com.
During the parade, the public is invited to stop by the Custer County Chronicle office for free hot chocolate and cider courtesy of the Custer YMCA.
The are a number of events that happen before the parade too, so a whole day of holiday fun can be made.
The annual Holiday Open House at Custer Senior Center will be Saturday, Dec. 2, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. The public is invited to an afternoon of coffee, cookies and Christmas music.
The variety of music will include The Metro Gnomes, an ensemble from the Custer Community Church Choir, and the Sandstone Singers from Hot Springs.
Tami Showers, the center’s new activities director, will also have her paintings featured.
The 18th Annual Santa’s Village Craft Fair will also be held Dec. 2 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Custer Jr./Sr. High School gym and will feature a variety of vendors.
The 1881 Courthouse Museum’s Holiday Open House is also Saturday from 4-7 p.m.
The museum invites guests to “step into the enchanting world of Grandma’s Kitchen, where Christmas trees sparkle with nostalgia and the spirit of the season comes alive. Each tree is decorated with historic, handwritten recipe cards.”
Visitors can indulge in homemade cookies and refreshments, explore the museum and get a chance to  win prizes, including a copy of the new and updated fourth edition of Paul Horsted’s book “Exploring with Custer.” The museum bookstore will also be open for the event.
The 31st annual Christmas for Kids event will take place from noon to 3 p.m. Dec. 9 at Custer Jr./Sr. High School. All children ages 0 to 10 in Custer County are welcome to attend but must be registered by contacting custerchristmas4kids@gmail.com by Saturday, Dec. 2. Kids will get to visit with the Clauses and all can enjoy a lunch and holiday games and crafts.
If you would like to dontate to the event or have questions contact Corey or Jana Virtue at custerchrist
mas4kids@gmail.com or 605-673-2396.
On Dec. 16, children will have the opportunity to get their picture with Santa and tell him what they would like for Christmas at Steele Collision during their free, family-friendly event. There will also be cookie and ornament decorating, face painting and Christmas games. The event goes from 1-3 p.m.