March 25, 2025
Celebrating History, Art, and of course, the 4th of July
There are a number of events that take place every year throughout Wind River Country that are near and dear to its communities. Many of these events fund local businesses and organizations, while others are annual and/or historical celebrations. There’s something that they all have in common; a sense of a community and enjoyment for people of all ages.
July 2 to 6 — 1838 Mountain Man Rendezvous
The 1838 Mountain Man Rendezvous is the only reenactment on an original rendezvous site. Walk in the same footsteps of traders from the past. Learn fire starting with flint and steel, dutch-oven cooking, black powder shoots, flint knapping, teepee set-up, trap setting and more. For detailed information, visit www.1838rendezvous.com.
July 4 — Dubois 4th of July Celebration
Enjoy the greatest little small-town July 4 in the West. The day kicks off with Kiwanis Kids’ Games at Dubois Town Park. Shop around downtown and check out the Opportunity Shop’s Annual Sidewalk Sale. Spectators line the street to enjoy the Dubois 4th of July Parade that takes place on Ramshorn Street and goes from Dubois Town Park to the First Street intersection. Afterwards, the crowd disperses to an afternoon filled with fun events like the Ice Cream Social and the Ducky Derby at Horse Creek Bridge. At dusk, the town gathers at the Dubois Scenic Overlook for a spectacular fireworks show. The Overlook is one of the best vantage points in the Dubois area, making it the perfect place to watch the show. Check out https://www.duboiswychamber.org/4th-of-july-parade-2024 for more information.
July 4 —Lander 4th of July Celebration
Known especially for its city-wide epic fireworks, the town of Lander puts on a day full of unforgettable events. It begins with a race for kids and a half marathon for grownups. This is followed by a parade that outshines any small town daydream. The festivities continue with the annual Rotary Club’s Buffalo Barbecue in City Park before moving to the local fairgrounds for the oldest paid rodeo in the world. The evening concludes with a fireworks show that expands throughout city limits. Find a high vantage point, sit back and enjoy the show. Visit the City of Lander website https://www.landerwyoming.org/community/ or call (307) 332-2870 for more information.
July 12 to 13 — South Pass City Gold Rush Days
Head to South Pass City for a weekend of enjoyment. Pan for gold, see historic exhibits, gold mining demonstrations, Pony Express reenactments, a vintage baseball tournament, live saloon music and the anvil blasting at the Price Street Bridge every hour on the hour. Gold Rush Days also includes tours of the Carissa Mine & Mill and the opportunity to explore five-miles of interpretive trails. 125 Main Street, South Pass City. Check out www.southpasscity.org for details.
July 18 to 20 — 45th Annual Riverton Rendezvous Balloon Rally Rodeo
The much anticipated Riverton Rendezvous Balloon Rally brings local families and visitors from all around the country to ooh and ahh at a multitude of colorful hot air balloons. Wake up early to watch the balloons launch on three consecutive mornings, weather permitting. A public Pilot Social will be hosted on Friday, and an evening Balloon Glow will take place on Saturday night with live music, food trucks and fireworks. Check out (https://www.rivertonwy.gov/community/riverton_rendezvous_balloon_rally.php) for details.
July 18 to 19 — Rocky Mountain Rebel Car and Bike Show
Spanning Friday and Saturday, this event begins with the Friday Night Cruise Parade. Cars will then park downtown for display and will be accompanied by live music, food trucks and vendors. Special events will be hosted at several downtown Main Street businesses. An autocross race takes place Saturday afternoon, followed by a display of muscle cars, hotrods, race cars, trucks, customs and more. Vendor booths, food trucks and a live radio broadcast will run through the afternoon. The day ends with an award ceremony and fireworks. For more information, visit https://chamber.wyriverton.com/events/details/rocky-mountain-rebel-car-bike-show-07-18-2025-16118.
Celebrations of Art and Food
With creative inspiration surrounding Wind River Country, it is no wonder that artists and art enthusiasts are drawn to the area. Several large art centric events are hosted in the summer, with smatterings of gallery shows, public events and artist markets throughout the year. Art translated into the craft of brewing has built two fabulous Brewfests that take place in Dubois and Lander. Celebrate great beer with good company in the heat of Wyoming summer.
June 7 – Lander Art District Street Fair
Kick off the summer at the Lander Art District Street Fair, which is held in the 200 block of Main street (N Side), 100 block of N 2nd St., and on Lincoln St. Observe live art demos, watch the artist Quick Finish and take part in Chalk the Walk. The Street Fair encourages art immersion with musicians, author readings and more. Collect bingo pieces to earn a prize while exploring the Street Fair. Enjoy live music, and take your pick from a selection of food trucks. This event takes place between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.
June 21 — Annual Summerfest
Summerfest returns on Saturday, June 21. This dynamic public event is more than just an art market—it’s a full-blown celebration featuring live music, the beloved Duck Derby, a community talent show, food trucks and an art market highlighting local artists and makers. Summerfest is a perfect opportunity for local artists and craftspeople to engage with the community, sell their work and celebrate creativity in a fun, engaging atmosphere. Check out The Lander Art Center for details. 405 Fremont Street, Lander.
June 13 to 14 — Annual Lander Brewfest
Lander Brewfest is held each year on the second weekend of June. It features craft breweries with a wide variety of beers from all around the Rocky Mountain West. More than 2,500 visitors descend upon Lander each June to kick off summer at this two-day celebration known as “The Best Little Brewfest in the West.” There will be live music, food and fun for the whole family. Various ticket prices. Friday, June 13 and Saturday, June 14. Call (307) 332-3892 for more information.
July 26 — Wild West Brewfest
Presenting samples of the most delicious beer Wyoming has to offer. Round up at Dubois Town Park from 12 to 6 p.m. for a day of music, delicious food and unique vendors, while sipping a refreshing beer. This event is family friendly. For more information on tickets and pricing, call (307) 455-2556 or visit https://www.duboiswychamber.org/brewfest.
Outdoor Recreation
With room to breathe, Wind River Country is one of the best places to get outside and soak up the beauty of Wyoming. Each community has its own unique variety of outdoor activities and events such as festivals, outdoor races, hunting competitions and more.
May 16 to 17 — 11th Annual Wyoming Outdoor Weekend and Expo
The Wyoming Outdoor Weekend and Expo kicks off summer. Enjoy live music, free food, beverages, climbing, shooting, archery and prizes. Lander Community and Convention Center, 950 Buena Vista Drive, Lander. Head to wyomingoutdoorweekend.com for details.
July 10 to 13 — Lander International Climbers’ Festival
Founded 31 years ago, the Lander International Climbers’ Festival is the longest-running climbers’ festival in the world. The festival was started to celebrate the community and world-class rock climbing. The four-day long event includes climbing clinics, a dyno-climbing competition, a trade fair, a Limestone rodeo, yoga, live music, and an art crawl on Main Street. Tickets are available at www.climbersfestival.org.
September 13 — WYO131 Gravel Grinder
The WYO131 Gravel Grinder is the ultimate Wyoming cycling experience. It is held annually the second weekend in September. Courses weave through the red desert and historic mining towns. Participants follow the tracks of the Oregon Trail up to South Pass and Atlantic City, across to Louis Lake Road, through forests and along a lake, and through Sinks Canyon State Park. Riders start and finish in Lander, and there is an afterparty featuring food, beverages and awards. Check out www.wyo131.com for more information.
September 17 to 20 — One Shot Antelope Hunt
Every September, hunters gather in Lander and compete in the One Shot Antelope Hunt — a competitive hunt that puts eight three-person teams against each other. The task of each team member is to harvest a pronghorn antelope with one shot. The One Shot Antelope Hunt is a long-standing tradition with a powerful alumni list. Those who are invited to participate come to shoot, hunt and raise money for wildlife conservation. This is a ticketed event held at several locations. The public is welcome at the Friday night blessing of the bullet ceremony, which is hosted by Shoshone Indian Tribal Elders. For more details, go to www.oneshotantelopehunt.com.
September 27 — Run The Red and Wyoming Public Lands Day
Trail runs of a half marathon, 50k and 100k races. The Red Desert is a uniquely Wyoming Landscape—one blanketed with sage, carved with colorful badlands, rich with wildlife and steeped in cultural and historical significance. The day will be filled with live music and celebrations including food trucks, beverages, tours of the Carissa Mine, nature trails, gold panning and an Oregon Trail presentation. runthereddesert.com.
Wind River Indian Reservation Events and Powwows
In Wind River Country, there are three large powwows from June through September. The Eastern Shoshone Indian Days Powwow is Wyoming’s largest powwow. The Ethete Celebration Powwow is held in July, and the Northern Arapaho Powwow, held in September, is Wyoming’s oldest powwow. Weekly dance exhibitions are held in Lander and Riverton from June through August.
Mid-June to Mid-August — Eagle Spirit Singers and Dancers
The Eagle Spirit Singers and Dancers perform every Wednesday night at the Fremont County Pioneer Museum in Lander. Watch skilled dancers in colorful regalia at this outside venue set against the Wind River Mountains. Bring a lawn chair or blanket, or sit on the benches. 7 p.m. 1445 W. Main St., Lander.
Mid-June to Mid-August — Northern Arapaho Experience
Witness live dancing and singing, hear stories and admire art. Learn about the history behind the dancing and enjoy performances from local dancers and singers outside of the Wind River Hotel and Casino. Tuesdays June through August 6 to 7:30 p.m
June 27 to 29 — Eastern Shoshone Indian Days Powwow
Come celebrate Wyoming’s largest powwow, which includes an Indian rodeo and relay races. There will be Indian games on Saturday starting at 9 a.m. and a parade shortly after. Grand Entry begins Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 12 and 6 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. (307) 349-6053. 10 Old Wind River Highway, Fort Washakie.
July 10 to 13 — Ethete Celebration Powwow
This event is held annually in July in Ethete.
August 29 to 31 — Northern Arapaho Powwow
Wyoming’s oldest Powwow. Grand Entry begins Friday at 6 p.m., Saturday at 12 p.m. and Sunday at 12 p.m. Food vendors and Native American arts and crafts will be on site. Located at the Arapaho Powwow Grounds just off Left Hand Ditch Road near the Sharp Nose intersection, Arapaho.
Rodeo Events
Rodeo is the official state sport of Wyoming, and there are plenty of opportunities to catch rodeo athletes at work throughout Wind River Country. Summer rodeos include the Dubois Friday Night Rodeo, the Northern Arapaho Tour Rodeo in Riverton, Fremont Toyota Pioneer Days Rodeo in Lander and the Fremont County Fair and Rodeo in Riverton. Come cowboy up and enjoy the West’s most-loved sport.
June 13, 20, 27, July 4, 11, 18, 25, August 1, 8, 15, 22 — Dubois Friday Night Rodeo
This family friendly rodeo takes place every Friday night in Dubois at the Clarence Allison Memorial Arena east of town behind the medical clinic. There is fun for the whole family with food and beverages available right on the rodeo grounds. 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the gate. Adults $15, kids (six to 12) $10, five and under free. Call (307) 710-7080 for more information. 5639 US Hwy. 26, Dubois.
July 3 to 4 — Fremont Toyota Pioneer Days Rodeo
The Lander Fremont Toyota Pioneer Days Celebration is a half-marathon, parade, rodeo, fireworks, little cowpokes and Indian relay races. Main Street’s 4th of July Parade begins at 10 a.m. Both nights of the rodeo start at 6:30 p.m. Roughstock events include bull riding, junior bull riding, saddle bronc, bareback and ranch bronc riding. Timed events include ladies barrels, calf roping, ladies breakaway, steer wrestling, open team roping, mixed team roping, businessmen’s ribbon roping, Indian relays and junior barrels. Be sure to stick around for the fireworks show put on by the Lander Rural Fire Department at 10 p.m. on July 4. Presale tickets: adults $13, kids (six to 12) $8. Tickets at gate: adults $15, kids (six to 12) $10. 1663 Rodeo Drive, Lander. For tickets or more information, visit http://lotra.org.
July 26 to August 2 — Annual Fremont County Fair and Rodeo
The Fremont County Fair and Rodeo is one of the premier county fairs in Wyoming. It features daily exhibits, contests and shows. Experience the ranch rodeo, carnival nights, bull riding, craft and vendor trade show, live music and entertainment, parade and more. Various ticket prices. 1010 Fairground Road, Riverton. Call (307) 856-6611 for more information or visit www.fremontcountyfair.org.
Farmers’ Markets
Get a taste of Wind River Country’s communities, from mushrooms and dairy products to locally processed meats, home grown garden vegetables and fresh-baked pastries. Shopping at a farmers’ market provides an opportunity to meet Wyoming farmers and vendors and to get a feel for the local culture.
June to October — Riverton Saturday Farmers’ Market
Local businesses and families bring the goodness of local products. 9 to 11 a.m.
Riverton City Hall parking lot (816 N. Federal Boulevard, Riverton).
June to October — Lander Valley Farmers Market
With a mission to provide and promote locally produced food in a welcoming community gathering space, the Lander Valley Farmers Market runs every Saturday from 9 to 11:30 a.m on 3rd Street, Lander. For more information, visit www.landervalleyfarmersmarket.com.
June to October — Riverton Wednesday Farmers’ Market
This market offers a wide variety of locally grown and locally made foods. It takes place from the first Wednesday in June through October at Riverton City Park from 5 to 7 p.m. 901 E. Fremont Avenue, Riverton.
June to October (summer) and November to May (winter) — Wind River Farmers Market
This market takes place every Wednesday at the Frank B. Wise Business Center from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. 3 Ethete Road, Fort Washakie. The winter market takes place every Tuesday evening at the 789 Truck Stop parking lot in Arapahoe.
June to October (Summer) and November to May (Winter) — Dubois Farmers Market
This market takes place every Thursday. Purchase fresh local produce and food bank contributions. 4 to 6 p.m. (307) 455-2313. Summer location: 202 E. Ramshorn Street, Dubois. Winter location: 20 Stalnaker Street, Dubois.
July to October — Shoshoni Farmers Market
This market takes place every Friday at Shoshoni Community Plaza Park. 5 to 7 p.m. E. 2nd Street and Main Street, Shoshoni.