Custers beloved Fourth Of July firework display may not happen

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KEVN) - For over 75 years, the Custer Volunteer Fire Department has put on what some say is one of the best Fourth of July fireworks displays. According to a Facebook post from the Custer Volunteer Fire Department, the fireworks show might not happen this year. They have been struggling to support the cost of the display due to the rising costs of fireworks and the financial shortfalls the department has had in the past.

“The approximately 30-minute fireworks display that they put on costs upwards of $25,000. So that’s quite a bit of money. So we are actively trying to help them reach that goal for this year’s fireworks display,” said Dawn Murray, executive director of the Custer Area Chamber of Commerce.

If the community wants the Fourth of July fireworks display to continue, they will have to chip in. The Custer area chamber of commerce, along with more than 38 local businesses are helping raise money for this staple in the Custer community.

“This is just a very big part of our community celebration. We have a B1 bomber flyover, we have a parade, and we have bouncy houses for the kids, so we really want to keep the fireworks in our community to help make the celebration even better,” said Murray.

Murray says more than 10,000 people from all over the nation come to this event each year.

“I think that the fireworks display is just really important to the whole community of Custer in that it brings in many visitors to our area that we can help show the beauty of Custer,” said Murray.

People can donate online here.

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