The 29th Annual Custer Christmas Parade is scheduled for Saturday, December 1st at 5:30 pm. This annual parade of lights signals the kick-off of the Holiday season in the Southern Hills. After the parade, Santa and Mrs. Claus appear at Way Park for the Memorial Tree Lighting Ceremony.  The parade will begin at 8th and Mt. Rushmore Road and end at Way Park on 4th and Mt. Rushmore Road.

This same day the YMCA will hold their annual Santa’s Village Gift & Craft Sale. The gift & craft sale runs from 9 am to 4 pm at the Custer High School Gym, with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus also appearing there for photos from 1 pm to 3 pm. Concessions will be served all day, proceeds benefit the Child Development Center.

This year the Custer Chamber of Commerce has teamed up with the Hill City Chamber of Commerce for Community Christmas Cash giveaways!  There will be $900 given away throughout the next three weeks.  All you have to do is sign up weekly at participating Custer and Hill City businesses.  Those businesses participating in the program will have a Community Christmas Cash Participant poster in their window.  The Chambers will collect the slips weekly and do Facebook Live drawings to select the winners on November 30th, December 7th, and December 14th.   The winners are then able to spend their Community Christmas Cash at many Custer and Hill City businesses.  The Community Christmas Cash is also available to purchase from either the Custer Chamber or Hill City Chamber.  (would be a great Christmas present!)  However, please keep in mind that since it is a seasonal item the expiration date is January 31, 2019.

Finally, the Custer Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center has lots of fun merchandise for sale for everyone on your Christmas list.  Stop in sometime and browse the many items including Smokey Bear hats, magnets, stuffed animals and more.  We also have several Black Hills items like stickers, hats, puzzles, and books.  And for the holiday season we have a great selection of Christmas ornaments that would look perfect on your tree or make an excellent gift!