Deadwood is planning a "Celebration of Historic Proportions" for the 10^th anniversary of limited gaming, inviting regional and national dignitaries and journalists to come take a look at what the town has done with historic preservation dollars generated by low-stakes gambling.

Plans for specific 10^th anniversary events are still in preliminary stages, according to Chamber Director Susan Kightlinger, who said the official kick-off will be a "High Noon" celebration on Historic Main Street on November 1, the day gambling opened in 1989.

The big birthday party is set for the following Saturday, November 6, and will include a parade, fireworks, and other special events designed to showcase historic preservation of the 123-year-old National Historic Landmark town.

A "stay & play" package will offer special room rates for three days and two nights in historic Deadwood, anytime between October 1 and November 30. Visitors can take advantage of the package to attend special events during those two months, including Oktoberfest, the Fall Citywide Poker Tournament, a German Festival and dance featuring the Sauerkrauts, the Deadweird Halloween party and the anniversary celebration.

A special video presentation will detail the story of historic preservation funded by gaming proceeds, Kightlinger said.

"This is really what about everyone in Deadwood," Kightlinger said. "We all have a reason to be proud of what we have accomplished, where we are today compared to where we started from 10 years ago."