Wyoming is the home of great events from rodeos to music festivals. Cultural performances and art fairs take place in beautiful settings that show off the state’s stunning scenery. Here are 10 events that will spice up any group itinerary:
Cheyenne Frontier Days, Cheyenne
Frontier Days
This year Frontier Days will be July 19-28. Events include a rodeo, an art show and a cook-off. An Old West museum, carnival and an F.E. Warren Air Force Base open house are also featured. Take a trip back in time while you travel through Wild Horse Gulch with Western merchants and other characters. Some pretty big country music stars will perform during Frontier Nights, including Rascal Flatts, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan and Toby Keith.
Grand Teton Music Festival, Jackson Hole
More than 200 orchestra musicians from around the country gather to play in the festival’s orchestra. It’s more than a festival, with education and outreach programs year-round reaching more than 12,000 musicians. The festival, now in its 51styear, performs concerts at Walk Festival Hall during the summer and a series during the winter.
Wyoming State Fair, Douglas
Wyoming State Fair Midway
Celebrating over 100 years, the Wyoming State Fair will be held Aug. 10-17. Events include an arm wrestling championship, a rodeo, carnival, sheep dog competition, monster trucks, antique tractor pulls and coolest pickup contest. Live entertainment is also featured with Dierks Bentley scheduled to perform this year.
Wyoming State Winter Fair, Lander
Events at this February fair include mini bull riding, a horse show, beef show, dog show and trade show. Over 40 classes are offered in the horse show prior to the barrel racing and pole bending events.
http://www.wyomingstatewinterfair.org/
Beartrap Summer Festival, Casper
This annual bluegrass festival takes place in the summertime on Beartrap Meadow. Past performers include the Sons of the Pioneers, Asleep at the Wheel and Ricky Skaggs. A marketplace features artists and merchants as well as a food court. A kids’ section with crafts, activities and music workshops is offered.
http://beartrapsummerfestival.com/
Woodchoppers Jamboree and Rodeo, Encampment
The 52nd annual event takes place June 16-17. Watch a parade, wood-chopping events and the WRA Rodeo and enjoy a barbeque lunch. Loggers compete for the Rocky Mountain Champion Lumberjack title and cowboys make an effort to straddle bulls.
http://www.saratogachamber.info/chamberweb2010/woodchoppers.htm
Wyoming’s Big Show, Rock Springs
Otherwise known as Sweetwater County Fair, this event is July 25-Aug. 4. Enjoy music, food, carnival rides, barrel races and 4-H events. Other entertainment includes a petting zoo, clowns, a cowboy comedy show and a hypnotist.
http://www.sweetwaterevents.com/wyobigshow.aspx
River Festival, Green River
Held Aug. 16-17, events include concerts, a shrimp boil, kid’s activities, a rodeo and marathon for runners.
http://www.grchamber.com/pages/riverfestival/
Fort Bridger Rendezvous, Fort Bridger
From Aug. 30- Sept. 2 mountain men celebrate the fur trade era in one of the largest mountain man gatherings in the U.S. Entertainment includes a flag ceremony, Native American dancing, a shooting range, archery and fur trade demonstrations. Visitors are encouraged to wear traditional mountain man clothes for free admission.
http://fortbridgerrendezvous.net/
Elkfest, Jackson
The main event at Elkfest (May 18-19) is the Jackson Hole Boy Scout Elk Antler Auction, where the boys auction antlers they gathered from migrating elk. The antlers can be made into artful furniture, wall decorations, jewelry and food products. Live music and a chili cook-off are also featured.
http://www.jacksonholechamber.com/events/elkfest.php
