10-10-2004, 12:09 AM
[size 2]PIERRE, S.D. - Custer State Park's 39th Annual Buffalo roundup reported record numbers during the three days of festivities on Oct. 2-4. According to Game, Fish and Park officials, more than 8,800 visitors attended Monday's roundup, the highest figures since the park began tracking in attendance in 1997.[/size]
[size 2]"All in all, the weekend was glorious," said Richard Miller, superintendent of Custer State Park. "The weather for the entire weekend was picture perfect. The roundup went extremely well, almost textbook. People turned out in record numbers to be a part of the one-of-a-kind event."[/size]
[size 2]The festivities began Saturday, Oct. 2, with the 11th Annual Arts Festival. Approximately 125 venders were on hand to showcase their wares, which ranged from life-sized animal woodcarvings to delicate gemstone jewelry. The weather was pleasant and sunny on both days and staff saw parking lots overflowing. Traffic counts for the arts festival indicated an 11 percent increase over visitor numbers from 2003.[/size]
[size 2]Entertainment and activities at this year's arts festival included Native American hoop dancers, gold panning demonstrations, the Black Hills Cowboy Mounted Shooters, the Care Country Cloggers, the 15th annual Buffalo Wallow Chili Cookoff, educational programs and various musical entertainers.[/size]
[size 2]Monday morning, spectators arrived early at the designated viewing areas along the Wildlife Loop Road to watch park staff and horseback riders, which included South Dakota’s Miss Rodeo Jessica Melvin, corral the park's herd of 1,500 buffalo. The buffalo were then sorted, branded and vaccinated by park staff throughout the next three days. [/size]
[size 2]The South Dakota Department of Tourism and Custer State Park worked together to host local, regional, national and international print and film media to cover the event, including crews from France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. According to Craig Pugsley, visitor services coordinator at Custer State Park, the publicity helps promote the park, the Black Hills and the entire state of South Dakota. "The event continues to grow in popularity each year because the media spreads the word about this unique event across the globe," he said.[/size]
[size 2]"We couldn't pull off an event of this magnitude without the help of our seasonal staff and volunteers," Pugsley said. "Those folks play a key role in the overall success of the weekend. We sincerely appreciate all the time and effort they put in to make this a triumphant and enjoyable event for the park and its visitors."[/size]
[size 2]The annual roundup serves as a tool to help manage the park’s buffalo herd. Over the winter, the park can support around 1,000 buffalo. Approximately 450 will be sold at the park's annual buffalo auction on Saturday, Nov. 20. For additional information on the auction, contact the park by phone at (605) 255-4515 or by e-mail at CusterStatePark@state.sd.us. [/size]
[size 2]The 2005 Buffalo Roundup and Arts Festival will be held Oct. 1-3.[/size]
[signature]
[size 2]"All in all, the weekend was glorious," said Richard Miller, superintendent of Custer State Park. "The weather for the entire weekend was picture perfect. The roundup went extremely well, almost textbook. People turned out in record numbers to be a part of the one-of-a-kind event."[/size]
[size 2]The festivities began Saturday, Oct. 2, with the 11th Annual Arts Festival. Approximately 125 venders were on hand to showcase their wares, which ranged from life-sized animal woodcarvings to delicate gemstone jewelry. The weather was pleasant and sunny on both days and staff saw parking lots overflowing. Traffic counts for the arts festival indicated an 11 percent increase over visitor numbers from 2003.[/size]
[size 2]Entertainment and activities at this year's arts festival included Native American hoop dancers, gold panning demonstrations, the Black Hills Cowboy Mounted Shooters, the Care Country Cloggers, the 15th annual Buffalo Wallow Chili Cookoff, educational programs and various musical entertainers.[/size]
[size 2]Monday morning, spectators arrived early at the designated viewing areas along the Wildlife Loop Road to watch park staff and horseback riders, which included South Dakota’s Miss Rodeo Jessica Melvin, corral the park's herd of 1,500 buffalo. The buffalo were then sorted, branded and vaccinated by park staff throughout the next three days. [/size]
[size 2]The South Dakota Department of Tourism and Custer State Park worked together to host local, regional, national and international print and film media to cover the event, including crews from France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. According to Craig Pugsley, visitor services coordinator at Custer State Park, the publicity helps promote the park, the Black Hills and the entire state of South Dakota. "The event continues to grow in popularity each year because the media spreads the word about this unique event across the globe," he said.[/size]
[size 2]"We couldn't pull off an event of this magnitude without the help of our seasonal staff and volunteers," Pugsley said. "Those folks play a key role in the overall success of the weekend. We sincerely appreciate all the time and effort they put in to make this a triumphant and enjoyable event for the park and its visitors."[/size]
[size 2]The annual roundup serves as a tool to help manage the park’s buffalo herd. Over the winter, the park can support around 1,000 buffalo. Approximately 450 will be sold at the park's annual buffalo auction on Saturday, Nov. 20. For additional information on the auction, contact the park by phone at (605) 255-4515 or by e-mail at CusterStatePark@state.sd.us. [/size]
[size 2]The 2005 Buffalo Roundup and Arts Festival will be held Oct. 1-3.[/size]
[signature]