Custer will celebrate the Independence Day holiday period by turning back the clock to provide an Old Time Country Fair at the 1881 Courthouse Museum downtown.

Beginning with a flag-raising ceremony at 10 a.m. daily, the celebration of yesterday runs through Sunday, July 5.

The fair will feature exhibitors from four states offering arts, crafts, antiques, jewelry, hand-sewn items, iron works, wooden items, art glass and more. There also will be demonstrations of gold panning and quality.

The North 4th Street stage will feature a variety of entertainment, with open mike from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

For children, old-fashioned activities include face painting, horse shoes, darts, bean bag toss, sponge throw, and there will be a fishing pond and a duck pond.

On July 4, the 1 p.m. parade will feature children on decorated bikes and wagons as entries. The route is from Washington Street, down Mount Rushmore Road to North Fourth Street. Ribbons and prizes will be awarded to the top patriotic, historical and judges' choice winners.

Among food vendors is a chuck wagon dinner, prepared over a wood-burning fire.

Saturday's activities include a presentation by local authors from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. On Sunday, a 10 a.m. outdoor worship service will be celebrated at the fairgrounds by Cross Roads Church and Custer Community Church.

Fair hours will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and Saturday and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. For details, call 673-2443.

If you go

What: Old Time Country Fair

Where: 1881 Courthouse Museum, Custer

When: 10 a.m. daily through July 5.