Pocket pets and outrageous poultry dressed in costumes are back for the Central Wyoming Fair and Rodeo in Casper this weekend.
The pocket pets are tiny animals that can fit into your pocket, while the poultry are dressed up in the craziest possible costumes.
Both imaginative events are part of the 4-H exhibits on display at the fairgrounds during the Central Wyoming Fair, kicking off Friday and continuing through Tuesday.
In addition to 4-H exhibits, there’s a carnival at the fairgrounds Friday, with rides from Amusement Midway Providers. Amusement Midway has made a name for itself with adrenaline junkies, featuring a number of heart-stopping rides.
There’s the Air Maxx, which slings riders from side to side while spinning around and around and around.
There’s also the Super Shot. That starts out with a slow climb, but the bottom drops out when the ride completely let’s go, giving riders a stomach-churning freefall that lasts right up until the end, when the ground seems disturbingly close.
Concurrently with the carnival, the 14th annual Sidewalk Chalk Art Festival will be held in downtown Casper on Second Street between Center and David streets from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday.
A pancake breakfast goes with it from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., and the first 300 participants get a free T-shirt.
Those into big Monster Trucks can ride the beasts for themselves during the pit party and intermission, starting at noon and again at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at the fairgrounds.
These monster trucks are 10,000-pound car-crushing giants, capable of rocking anyone’s house — just imagine what it’s like to ride in one.
Other Things To Do
Here’s a few more of the many fun things going on across Wyoming this weekend:
• Pan for gold at Gold Rush Days on July 6 and 7 in South Pass City near Lander, watch a vintage baseball game while drinking sarsaparilla, and tour the Carissa Mine. Tickets each day are $5.
• Celebrate all things Western at Laramie Jubilee Days, an event that began as a horse race in 1940, but has grown to be a full-blown hometown celebration. Events include the Kids Horse Show, Jalapeño Eating Contest, PRCA Rodeo, Country Swing Dancing, Chili Cookoff, parades, live music and more.
Speaking of rodeo, regular events are offered in a couple communities throughout the summer:
• The Cody Nite Rodeo is two hours of wild, Western, family friendly action, held every night from now through Aug. 31, except during the Cody Stampede. Arrive early to meet the cowboys and bullfighters, or to get pictures with Mongo the bull. Tickets available at the gate.
• The Dubois Friday Night Rodeo bills itself as a family friendly Wyoming-style rodeo, every Friday night from now through mid-August. Events start at 7:30 p.m. with stuff for the kids: mutton bustin’, calf riding, mini bull riding and peewee barrel racing, then continues with the Grand Entry, team roping and barrel racing. Also offers a Kids Calf Scramble and the Dude Ranch Event. Tickets only available at the gate.
Renée Jean can be reached at renee@cowboystatedaily.com.
