Custer State Park . Events like that help to remind people the “ why ” of Burning Beetle — to keep one on the past , in remembrance of past infestations and the damage caused , but also to keep one eye on the future , vigilantly maintaining the health of the forest for when the next infestation arrives .
I think initally [ Burning Beetle ] changed the discussion around the beetle . Custer had a way to talk about it then . The education component is back in full force now . I think its been really successful in that aspect ,” said Matt .
The centerpiece of the weekend is of course the actual burning of the beetle , and the other events of the day , like the variety show and bug crawl .
The fun of the day begins with the variety show , which has featured everything from original music and poetry , comedic skits , dog tricks , ballet , air guitar , ukelele orchestras and more . Many of the acts also incorporate burning beetle-themed elements into their performance — whether its a musician covering a Beatles ’ song or adapting the lyrics Johny Cash ’ s “ Ring of Fire ” to fit the occasion . The 2024 show even featured a family-friendly beetle burlesque act . Rather than clothing , the performer shed layers of her insectoid exoskeleton .
“ I like the idea that we get together once a year and have this solemn moment listening to music , someone reads a poem , some people do a wierd skit , and then we go outside , get the torch , fire up the drum corps , march up the hill and burn the beetle ,” said Matt .
Following the variety show , the “ mob ” gathers in the parking lot of the Custer elementary and high school . Those with tickets can carry an actual flaming torch with them as they march to the stirring rhythms of the drum corps and make their way through a normally quiet Custer neighborhood and toward Pageant Hill , where the effigy awaits its fiery fate .
Each year Matt ends up in the mostly volunteer band of amateur , sometimes first-time instrument players who make up the drum corps , leading the mob in the torch march . The moment the drum corps takes the first steps of the march is one of his favorite parts of burning beetle .
The beating of the drums , the warm glow of the torches ,
the repeated chants of “ burn , beetle , burn ” create the feeling of being in a old-fashioned angry mob .
As the crowd arrives at Pageant Hill , the mob circles the beetle in a literal ring of fire before getting the go-ahead to heap their torches onto the effigy , setting it ablaze , and hopefully sending some of those “ bark beetle blues ” up in smoke .
After the burn , revellers can trade their cold-reddened cheeks for booze-reddened noses in the “ bug crawl ,” a pub crawl to several participating local restaurants , bars and venues to enjoy a continued line-up of live music .
Going into that one day of fun each January is about six months of volunteer effort done by a coe group of volunteers to keep the event going .
“ It takes an enormous amount of volunteer energy ,” said Hank . Each brings something to the table : some have great ideas , some have building expertise , some have organizational skills and some have business savvy-ness . It ’ s all needed and valuable when paired with a willingness to get the goal accomplished .
“ Every year we ended up gaining a couple people in the committee , and that ’ s just been invaluable . Without new blood , it just kind of burns out ,” said Hank — and it almost did . Intially , neither Hank nor Matt expected it to turn into an annual event .
“ After about the third or fourth year , we had two women ( Krystal Hegerfeld and Keely Mahony ) come to our meeting with a business plan of how to make this work ,” said Hank
“ Thank God ” was their response . Now a well-oiled machine , the event has been getting bigger and bigger with each year . At the end of fourth street , there is even a sculpture , called Vigilance , to commemorate the celebration and the way the community has come together to cope with and celebrate the changing forest .
Burning Beetle has been a little different each year — it changes and evolves just as the forest does .
“ Looking down five years , it could be unrecognizable from this year . It depends on who shows up and what ideas they have ,” said Matt .
The torched mob advances while the drum corps beats ominously , bringing the crowd closer to the beetle . myblackshillscountry . com
Down Country Roads 13