Custer Spring Blooms: May Day Floral Workshop at State Game Lodge

Custer Spring Blooms: A May Day Workshop unfolds in Custer, South Dakota, inside the private White House Dining Room at the State Game Lodge, a welcoming spot in the Black Hills. Hosted by Petals & Pages, this hands-on floral class invites participants to craft a vibrant hanging May Day arrangement rooted in the old practice of sharing small bouquets to celebrate spring. The session runs about 1 to 1.5 hours, is accessible to ages 7 and up, and is intentionally capped at twenty people to keep instruction personal and practical. Check in at the State Game Lodge Hostess Stand; the venue has an accessible entrance.

Petals & Pages—formerly Jenny's Floral—brings floral design with a literary twist. Owner Carrie Moore, active with the Society of American Florists and the South Dakota Florists Association, guides the workshop with professional techniques and a steady eye for seasonal style. Expect high-quality stems, clear demonstration, and time to assemble and personalize your hanging bouquet. You leave with a finished piece ready for porch rail, front door, or neighborly delivery.

The class connects craft to place: it draws on the Black Hills' late-spring palette—prairie wildflowers, bright forbs, and the soft greens beneath ponderosa pines—to inspire color and texture choices. The White House Dining Room offers historic wood tones and natural light that make arranging easier and photos better. This is an ideal activity for couples, friends on a weekend escape, families with older children, or solo travelers who want creative downtime between hikes, historic sites, and scenic drives.

Practical details matter: the workshop is short but focused, so arrive on time, follow the independent-work rule, and plan for light carrying space to transport your arrangement. The event is a great complement to touring Custer State Park and nearby granite outcrops; pick up local blooms or books at Petals & Pages' Custer storefront afterward. Full refunds were available with cancellations by Thursday, April 23 for this booking window; confirm current policies when you reserve.

Why go? Beyond learning a hands-on seasonal skill, you step into a small, grounded community experience that highlights local craft, floral stewardship, and the Black Hills' spring mood. It's an accessible, social way to mark the season—leave with something beautiful, a story to give, and a fresh reminder that spring is here.

Bring a camera for close-up shots, and consider arriving early to explore the lodge grounds and State Game Lodge's historic rooms. No prior floral experience is required; Petals & Pages supplies tools and materials, though guests who prefer shears may bring them. Because space is limited, book early through the reservation link and confirm cancellation window. This workshop makes an excellent gift or a low-key group activity on Black Hills visits.