The Burning Beetle is an annual Winter event located in Custer, South Dakota.
The event is ALWAYS on the third Saturday of January.
The event was created in response to the Mountain Pine Beetle, and the massive landscape change and forest destruction caused by the tiny beetle.
The event supports the Custer Area Arts and includes a community variety show, a torch-bearing march, a burning beetle effigy, and a Custer pub (bug) crawl supporting our local establishments.
At the end of it all, we hope those who attend will walk away with more awareness of the mountain pine beetle, its destruction of our forests, and a better understanding of forest management and our beautiful home – The Black Hills.
Wednesday, Jan. 14th:
11 AM: Lost Cabin Beer Co. launches Burn Beetle Burn, a campfire cream ale brewed with marshmallow, graham cracker, and cocoa nibs. It’s a limited release, with proceeds going to Burning Beetle!
6 PM: Burning Beetle Bingo at Lost Cabin (Rapid City Tap Room)!
11 AM: Lost Cabin Beer Co. launches Burn Beetle Burn, a campfire cream ale brewed with marshmallow, graham cracker, and cocoa nibs. It’s a limited release, with proceeds going to Burning Beetle!
6 PM: Burning Beetle Bingo at Lost Cabin (Rapid City Tap Room)!
Thursday, Jan. 15th:
6:30-8p: Living in Community in Our Natural Environment (at the Pine Room Courthouse Annex). A free educational forum featuring conversations on being fire wise and having a home in the forest, photos and history on the Mountain Pine Beetle Epidemic from 1997-2017, as well as a question and answer session. This forum is great for Custer community members and landowners, both new and old.
6:30-8p: Living in Community in Our Natural Environment (at the Pine Room Courthouse Annex). A free educational forum featuring conversations on being fire wise and having a home in the forest, photos and history on the Mountain Pine Beetle Epidemic from 1997-2017, as well as a question and answer session. This forum is great for Custer community members and landowners, both new and old.
Friday, Jan. 16th:
10-11AM: Story Time at Custer County Library. Join the Custer Area Arts Council and the Custer County Library for a Burning Beetle themed story hour!
10-11AM: Story Time at Custer County Library. Join the Custer Area Arts Council and the Custer County Library for a Burning Beetle themed story hour!
January 17th:
(*Note – these times are not exact. Everything depends on weather, light, walking speed, etc. So plan to be early to get your torch, get your Variety Show seats, or to be at the march!)
(*Note – these times are not exact. Everything depends on weather, light, walking speed, etc. So plan to be early to get your torch, get your Variety Show seats, or to be at the march!)
2-5PM: Pre-Burn. South Dakota Outdoor Shop will kick off the live music of the day with a pre-burn at their location.
2:30PM: Torch Tickets ($25) and Merchandise for sale at Custer Jr./Sr. High School. Early entry to the theatre for the Variety Show. There will also be a silent auction happening.
3PM: Burning Beetle Variety Show. Musicians, dancers, songwriters and whoop-dee-doozers will be entertaining you at the Custer High School Theatre.
5PM: Fire Juggling and the start of the Torch Run will be held at Pageant Hill, for those not participating in the torch march. Black Hills Balloons will assist the Custer High School cross country team by lighting the inaugural torch for them to run back to the high school. There will also be two sessions of fire juggling by Dustin Grove.
5:15PM(ish): Torch March leaves the school and heads for Pageant Hill. About 150 torches and many more revelers and the Beetle Drum Corps will march from the high school parking lot to Pageant Hill where the Beetle awaits.
5:30PM(ish): Light the Beetle and Fireworks. The torch marchers will light the Beetle on fire as the Behlings Beetle Battalion lights off fireworks!
6PM: Bug Crawl in downtown Custer: A multi-venue party featuring live music, food and drinks! Support these sponsoring venues: the Custer Beacon, The Custer Wolf and the Gold Pan Saloon.
2:30PM: Torch Tickets ($25) and Merchandise for sale at Custer Jr./Sr. High School. Early entry to the theatre for the Variety Show. There will also be a silent auction happening.
3PM: Burning Beetle Variety Show. Musicians, dancers, songwriters and whoop-dee-doozers will be entertaining you at the Custer High School Theatre.
5PM: Fire Juggling and the start of the Torch Run will be held at Pageant Hill, for those not participating in the torch march. Black Hills Balloons will assist the Custer High School cross country team by lighting the inaugural torch for them to run back to the high school. There will also be two sessions of fire juggling by Dustin Grove.
5:15PM(ish): Torch March leaves the school and heads for Pageant Hill. About 150 torches and many more revelers and the Beetle Drum Corps will march from the high school parking lot to Pageant Hill where the Beetle awaits.
5:30PM(ish): Light the Beetle and Fireworks. The torch marchers will light the Beetle on fire as the Behlings Beetle Battalion lights off fireworks!
6PM: Bug Crawl in downtown Custer: A multi-venue party featuring live music, food and drinks! Support these sponsoring venues: the Custer Beacon, The Custer Wolf and the Gold Pan Saloon.
