Rush of events for Gold Discovery Days

One of the Black Hills’ favorite summer traditions returns as the 103rd Annual Gold Discovery Days comes to Custer July 17–19. This three-day celebration honors the discovery of gold in the Black Hills while offering a weekend packed with family-friendly entertainment, community traditions and activities for all ages.

Gold Discovery Days commemorates the 1874 expedition led by Lt. Col. George A. Custer that discovered gold near present-day Custer. More than 150 years later, the community continues to celebrate its rich history with one of the largest and longest-running festivals in the Black Hills.

Visitors can enjoy an exciting lineup of events throughout the weekend.

Running July 17-19 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., attendees can discover the artistry and tradition of quilting at the annual Custer Piecemakers Quilt Show at the Custer Armory. The three-day show features a collection of handcrafted quilts, live quilting demonstrations, quilting vendors, handmade gifts and shopping opportunities. Admission is $5.

Visitors can also purchase tickets for the annual quilt raffle, which supports the Custer Piecemakers Quilt Guild’s educational programs and community activities throughout the year. This year’s featured raffle quilt, pieced and donated by Sara Suda, measures approximately 104” x 108” and is currently on display at The Quilted Buffalo. Raffle tickets are $1 each or six for $5, with the winning ticket to be drawn Sunday, July 19.

Once again Washington Street in Custer will be blocked off from 8th to 2nd Street for the Arts & Crafts Festival. This will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. 

The 16th Annual Caroline Hatton Flower Show sponsored by the Custer Mile High Garden Club will be open and free to the public July 17 from 2-5 p.m. and July 18 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Custer Senior Center. Entries are open to all ages and can be brought from 9-11:30 a.m. July 17. Judging will follow from 12-2 p.m. Rules and details are available at the Custer Area Chamber of Commerce, Custer County Library, Petals & Pages, Facebook or by calling 605-673-2205. 

At 5:15 p.m. July 17, bring children ages 0-11 to the grass lot east of the chamber building for the gold nugget hunt. There will be candy, bounce house tickets and gold nuggets. 

New this year are the Flick and Floats at the Custer City Pool. From 6-8:30 p.m., families can enjoy a few flicks while floating in the pool. “Finding Nemo” will be playing July 17, and “Atlantis: The Lost Empire” will be playing July 18. 

The ever-popular Gold Panners Race is at 6:30 p.m. July 17 on Washington Street between 2nd and 3rd Street. In teams of three, contestants will race in a wheelbarrow to a pool filled with water, sand and “gold” nuggets. One contestant from each team will then pan for gold. Once they find their gold nugget, they will race back to the finish line in their wheelbarrow. 

Friday evening will conclude with live music. The Clayton Ryan Band will perform at The Custer Beacon from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m., and The Brian McCollum Band will perform at VFW Post 3442 from 7-10 p.m. 

The Hot Air Balloon Rally is at 5:30 a.m. July 18-19 at Pageant Hill, weather permitting. This year, all the balloons and their generous sponsors have collectible balloon trading cards. Just ask a pilot for one or stop in at a sponsoring business. The complete list is at custersd.com/hot-air-bal

loon-launch. 

When you’re ready for breakfast, head over to Way Park for the Gold Discovery Days Pancake Breakfast from 6:30-9 a.m. 

From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Black Hills Prospecting Club will demonstrate authentic methods of digging, sluicing and classifying over at French Creek Park. They will also run a trommel, gold cube, high banker and finish panning. Interested persons can try panning with help from club members at no charge. The club promotes the hobby of prospecting and teaches responsible mining and prospecting practices.

Visitors can also stop by the Bob Plaisted Memorial Car Show from 8-11 a.m. on Washington Street. The awards ceremony will be held in the winners circle at 1:30 p.m. A portion of the proceeds will be used to help fund the $500 Bob Plaisted Memorial Car Show Scholarship given to a Custer High School senior attending a trade school. 

The annual Gold Discovery Days Parade will take place July 18 at 10 a.m., featuring familiar floats as well as 50 horseback riders carrying flags from all 50 states. 

The parade will line up on Pageant Hill and come down 8th Street before turning west on Mt Rushmore Road. The parade will continue down Mt Rushmore Road. to 4th Street, where it will turn north and end. As one of the largest parades in the Black Hills, thousands of residents and visitors are expected. Temporary road closures and increased foot and vehicle traffic is expected before, during and after the parade.

After the parade Custer Senior Center is hosting a sloppy joe lunch for $12 a person from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. It will also have a gun safe raffle for $10 per ticket or three tickets for $25, and a basket raffle for $1 per ticket or six tickets for $5. 

Bring the kids (and the kids at heart) to the Kids Zone for nonstop action, laughter and adventure. From testing your aim at axe throwing, battling it out in the jousting arena, conquering the climbing wall and obstacle course, to seeing who can ring the bell on the high striker game—there’s excitement around every corner.

Cool off on the wet slide, take your shot at the dunk tank, show off your skills with the basketball slingshot or hang on tight for a ride on the mechanical bull. With activities for all ages and plenty more surprises in store, the Kids Zone is packed with family-friendly fun, thrills and unforgettable memories. 

As of July 15, bouncehouse wristbands are available for $30 each for the day, and mechanical bull wristbands are $20 for all day.

The 27th Annual Gold Discovery Days Volleyball Tournament is July 18 at 1 p.m. on the outdoor sand courts off Washington Street. 

If cornhole is more your style, the Gold Discovery Days Cornhole Tournament is at 2 p.m. at Mt. Rushmore Brewing Co. It is $20 per person for ages 18 and up. There will be cash prizes, raffles, door prizes, double elimination, random draw partner and a great time. Registration starts at 1 p.m., and 50 percent of the proceeds will go to Meals on Wheels. 

Don’t miss the live music at The Custer Beacon from 2 p.m. to 12 a.m. July 18. The Carson Brown Band is kicking things off at 2 p.m., the Wilt Brothers take the stage at 5 p.m. and Camp Comfort is closing the show at 9 p.m. 

Meanwhile, over at Mt. Rushmore Brewing Co., Flannel is performing from 7-10 p.m.

Sunday, July 19 will feature the Gold Rush Fun Run on the Mickelson Trail starting at Harbach Park. The youth 10 and under 1K race starts at 7:45 a.m., and the official 5K race starts at 8 a.m. Registration opens at 7 p.m., and walkers can start anytime between 7 and 8 a.m. Donations will go to the Custer Cross Country Team. 

At 9 a.m., Vineyard of the Black Hills and Crossroads Church will host a church service in Way Park. 

Returning to Gold Discovery Days this year is the Custer High School Alumni Basketball Game. All former Custer High School graduates, male and female,  are invited to play July 19 at 12 p.m. at the high school. Players interested in participating in the alumni game can contact Isaac Parsons at 605-517-1269. There will be a $10 entry fee or a case of sports drinks (Gatorade or Powerade). The entry fee for spectators will be $5 or a case of a sports drink or a box of snacks (granola bars, Cheez-Its, etc).

At 1 p.m. is the Ninth Annual Walt Thomas Memorial Charity Golf Scramble at Rocky Knolls Golf Course. It is $60 per player with teams of four. If someone does not have a team, they can be matched with one. Pre-registration is required, and there is a maximum of 18 teams. Contact Jim Thomas at 605-786-4026 for more information. 

The Black Hills Playhouse is featuring “Come From Away” July 19 with a 2 p.m. showtime. 

Finally, the R.I.S.E Gold Miners Bingo is at 2 p.m. at the VFW Post 3442. 

Whether you’re searching for family fun, shopping for unique handmade items, enjoying local entertainment or exploring the history that shaped the Black Hills, Gold Discovery Days offers something for everyone.

Complete event schedules, locations and additional information are available at custersd.com/events/gold-discovery-days.