Events scheduled for July 4

Custer will be a busy place this coming July 4, as the Custer Area Chamber of Commerce has a two-day slate of activities for young and old to celebrate an Old-Time Country Fourth.

The activities start on Tuesday, July 3, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with an old-time fair at Way Park, which is free. The event will include old-time games, snack vendors, live entertainment, demonstrations and more. There will also be a farmers’ market from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

From 1-3 p.m. there will be family races and fun-filled games in Harbach Park. Kids of all ages can participate in such activities as sack and three-legged races, tug-of-war and stump pulling. There will also be face-painting from 3-5 p.m. From 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. there will be an old-time square dance in Way Park that is also free to the public. Participants can watch a seasoned group of square dancers and join in the dancing.

At around 7:30 p.m., there will be a flag-folding ceremony at the 5th Street flag pole. The meaning of each fold will be read as the flag is folded for the evening. That will be followed by live music in Way Park, which is also free and runs until 10 p.m.

On Wednesday, July 4, the day will start with a B-1 Bomber flyover from the 28th Bomb Wing out of Ellsworth Air Force Base at 10 a.m. Also at 10 a.m., there will be a kids parade down Mt. Rushmore Road in Custer, followed by the Patriots Parade, which will honor veterans and emergency personnel. Immediately following the parade, there will be a flag-raising ceremony at the 5th Street flagpole.

All veterans are invited to take part in the Patriots’ Parade and flag-raising ceremony. WWII veterans are especially encouraged to attend and be recognized. There will be a pickup and trailer available for those who wish to ride in the parade. Parade line-up begins at 8:30 a.m.

The old-time fair in Way Park will resume at noon and run until 5 p.m., and the family races and games will run from noon until 2 p.m. at Harbach Park. From 6 p.m. until dusk, there will be live music at Pageant Hill. From 7:30 to 9 p.m. there will be “A Magical Tribute to the USA” Grand Magic Show at the Showbarn. Tickets are required for this event.

The events will wrap up with the annual fireworks show at Pageant Hill, put on by the Custer Volunteer Fire Department. The show will begin at dusk, around 9:30 p.m.

For more information on any of the events associated with July 4, contact the Custer Area Chamber of Commerce at 673-2244.