If variety is the spice of life, then Glenrock is the place to be this weekend for the community’s annual “Deer Creek Days” festival.
Rodeo, mud volleyball, a car show, concerts are just a few of the activities on tap for the 40th annual festival, with most of those events being open to the public at no charge, said Kristy Grant, director of the Glenrock Chamber of Commerce and chairman of Deer Creek Days.
“It’s really designed for family who doesn’t want to spend a lot of money,” she said. “With few exceptions, all the events are free.”
Until this year, Deer Creek Days had been an end-of-summer celebration in August, Grant said, but organizers agreed to move it to June to avoid competition with other festivals such as Casper’s Beartrap Summer Festival and the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota.
“It was killing our attendance,” she said. “It made sense to change the date and change the focus from the end of summer to the beginning of summer.”
The response so far has been very positive, she said.
“Last year we had 17 vendors in our craft fair, this year we have over 40,” she said. “This year, food trucks are calling me and saying they want to come to Deer Creek Days.”
The weekend is full of a variety of activities, including a rodeo, concerts, a parade, a brewfest, ice cream social, “mutton busting,” a golf tournament, car show and more.
The full weekend of activities reflects the community’s desires to expand the festival over the years, Grant said.
“Every year, somebody would come forward and say ‘Can we do this’ and that’s how it evolved,” she said. “We do try to have something for everyone.”
Activities begin Friday with a cookout, gospel concert, “dummy roping” and a family concert by The Incorrigibles.
On Saturday, a 5K run/walk will open the day, followed by an art show, craft fair, parade, ice cream social and talent show.
A brewfest with live music and an “adult adventure zone” will open at noon Saturday.
The ranch rodeo will begin at 5 p.m. Saturday and a street concert by country musician Tris Munsick will wrap up the day.
Activities will resume Sunday with a car show, golf tournament, co-ed mud volleyball tournament, roping competitions, a horseshoe tournament, a comedy performance and a concert.
“There are a lot of things families can come do and have fun,” Grant said.
For more information, visit the Deer Creek Days page on Facebook.