Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup Sets Attendance Record [VIDEO]

That's a wrap! Summer is officially over, and one of the sure signs each year in South Dakota that it's done is the annual Buffalo Roundup out in the Black Hills at Custer State Park.

This year's 58th annual Buffalo Roundup was a huge success, especially regarding attendance levels.

Dakota News Now is reporting that the roundup set a new attendance record, 22,950 people came out to watch the herd on the move in 2023.

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The previous record was set back in 2015, during the roundup's 50th anniversary. That year, 22,078 people converged on Custer State Park to watch the show.

This year 60 cowboys on horseback helped to drive the roughly 1,500 buffalo more than five miles into corrals for their annual health check and vaccinations.

Lydia Austin, Visitor Services Coordinator with Custer State Park told Dakota News Now, “It’s easy to say the event was a success because we set a record for attendance, but it’s most important that everyone who attended had an awesome time. We were able to enjoy fantastic fall weather, great attendance at the Art's Festival, and everyone made memories that will last a lifetime.”

Again this year, the Buffalo Roundup was held in conjunction with Custer State Park's annual three-day art festival that featured more than 150 vendors offering fine arts and crafts for sale. Many of the products that were available were made right here in South Dakota.

If you've never attended the roundup, you really should. It's something every South Dakotan should see at least once during their lifetime.

Mark your calendars for next year, the 2024 Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup will be held on Friday, September 27th.

Check out a little bit of this year's roundup here.

Source: Dakota News Now

Twelve South Dakota Places to Put on Your "Must Visit" List!

Make the most of summer in South Dakota and visit these spots that speak to why SD is great!

A lot of them you might have visited, some you haven't for sure, and some are old favorites that maybe you haven't been to in a while. So, while there is still a little time or even one more weekend, and gas prices are down a bit - - try and make it to one of these great places.

What can be found in these 12 locations?

What can't? Camping, fishing swimming, kayaking, birdwatching, and tons of other great outdoors-type activities. Historical, educational exploration, hobby interests, kids activities, just plain old beautiful scenery, and- - to use an overused phrase- -lots more!

With all of that in mind, let's dive in!

Gallery Credit: Patty D

The 10 Most Redneck Towns in South Dakota

Are you a 'Redneck?' I guess to some people, all of us in South Dakota are rednecks.

If we use the Jeff Foxworthy Scale of Redneckeness, I have, in fact, been too drunk to fish. So by definition, I am a redneck. And so are many people I know.

Not that being from the country is a bad thing, and it can be fun to poke fun at ourselves.

With that in mind, we found that the folks at RoadSnacks put together a list that claims 'These Are The 10 Most Redneck Cities In South Dakota.'

What is a Redneck?

The dictionary says that a redneck is someone "...who lives in a small town or in the country, especially in the southern U.S., who typically has a working-class job, and who is seen by others as being uneducated and having opinions and attitudes that are offensive."

Well, a few things. First, South Dakota isn't THAT kind of 'south.' We're to the south of North Dakota, but to the north of 'The South.'

Plus that definition sounds awful mean and serious. I thought we were having fun here.

RoadSnacks leaned into the funny, Jeff Foxworthy-based version of a redneck. Then they rounded up select data on places in SD to determine their rankings. RoadSnacks Redneck Criteria: