July 4 events planned

Custer’s Old Time Fourth of July celebration will start bright and early the morning of July 4 and will last into the evening hours. The celebration includes events for people of all ages.
The festivities begin at 10 a.m. with a B-1 flyover which will kick off the Kids’ & Patriots’ Parade. The parade route is between 8th and 4th streets on Mt. Rushmore Road. The Patriots Alley will open on 6th Street at 10:30 a.m.
Starting at 11 a.m. will be the annual flag lowering and raising ceremonies at the Veterans Memorial at Washington and 5th streets. The ceremony will feature readings of Johnny Cash’s “The Ragged Old Flag” by a local veteran, an explanation of the meaning of each fold of the flag and the playing of Taps to retire the colors.
The children’s fair at Way Park begin at 11 a.m. and will continue until 4 p.m., which a variety of inflatable fun for the children.
From 6-11 p.m. there will be the Veterans Tribute Street Dance featuring Midnight Sun at the corner of 5th and Washington streets.
The day’s celebration will go out with a literal bang as fireworks light up the city of Custer starting around 9:30 p.m., or as soon as it’s dark enough. The fireworks are launched from Pageant Hill and can be viewed from many spots around town.
On June 6-7 a new event, the Independence Day Farmer’s Market and Arts and Crafts Fair, will be held at Way Park at the corner of Mt. Rushmore Road and 4th Street. The event will run from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. This event replaces the arts and crafts fair at the 1881 Courthouse Museum.