The Burning Beetle is an annual community celebration that focuses on our connection to the environment where we live in the Black Hills. This project works to raise awareness about the forest, support the arts in our community, and develop an art sculpture to commemorate the changes going on in our forest. 2020 is our 7^th Burning Beetle celebration and 8th year of events.

The event features a town talent show, the burning of the beetle, fireworks and a pub crawl with live music and delicious food from Custer's popular eateries.

This year’s events include:

Friday, January 17
5:00pm: Vigilance art sculpture dedication at the Custer County Library
7:00-10:00pm: Sophia Beatty and The Color of Sound at The Beacon

Saturday, January 18
3:00pm-4:40pm Variety Show at Custer High School
4:40pm: Organize for torch march
5:00pm: Torch March begins from the Custer High School parking lot
5:15pm: The Beetle Burns & Fireworks at Custer’s Pageant Hill
6:00pm-8:30pm: Bug Crawl Pub Crawl with live music at participating Custer locations:

• Buglin’ Bull: Steve Thorpe and Pegie Douglas/Paul Swenson


• Custer Wolf: Josh Williamson and Andy Koosman


• Pizza Works: Roy Hendrickson Band


• Gold Pan Saloon: Steve Gardner


• VFW: Hidden Timber


• VFW Basement: Non-alcoholic youth event sponsored by Custer Student Council; Lily Fridell and Fire to the Masses


• Custer Beacon: The Hermosa Prairie Dogs

After 8:30pm: Live music through the evening

• VFW: Hidden Timber


• Custer Beacon: Tie Dye Volcano

Bark Beetle Blues' mission is to create awareness of Custer community's response to the Pine Beetle infestation; by celebration and renewal.

The Bark Beetle Blues is an ad hoc group of people who want to talk about the massive landscape change currently occurring in the Black Hills by encouraging dialogue through the arts. The first Burning Beetle Celebration was held on January 18, 2014.

It's a fantastic winter event that’s fun for the whole family, so bundle up, come on out and join us!  See you at the BURN!

For more information check out the Burning Beetle Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/barkbeetleblues/