FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 12, 2024
For more information: Audra Dominguez, Festival Director
info@wyomingdiscoverydays.org 904-874-2560
POWDER RIVER PERCHERON WAGON RIDES, LIVE MUSIC, DUTCH OVEN COOKING COMPETITION, PIT MASTERS BBQ, PONY EXPRESS MAIL STOP, WEENIE DOG RACE, HIGHLAND COW PETTING ZOO, ACOUSTIC BLUEGRASS JAM, SQUARE DANCE, STORYTELLING CIRCLE, PAINT A TIPI, WHISKERS JAILHOUSE, MORE DURING WYOMING DISCOVERY DAYS IN HOT SPRINGS STATE PARK FIRST WEEK-END IN AUGUST
Wyoming Discovery Days, which takes place Saturday and Sunday, August 3rd and 4th, 2024, in Hot Springs State Park, Thermopolis, Wyoming celebrates Wyoming’s unique cultural heritage through stories, music, food, art, and demonstrations. “There will be lots going on both days and there will be new things added too,” according to Audra Dominguez, Festival Director.
Dominguez reminds us there will be both a Percheron horse team and a mule team pulled wagon shuttle ride from the highschool to the State Park this year. Wagons run continuously during the festival and are provided by the Flom Family (Lander). This relieves the parking congestion in the State Park. The magnificent dapple grey Powder River Percherons, owned by Mike Cushman, will also be providing horse drawn wagon rides around the State Park. Due to its popularity, the Weenie Dog Race and costume contest is back, and will be a blast for the whole family. Live music will be played throughout the event and includes: Jalan Crossland (Ten Sleep), Christian Wallowing Bull (Wind River Reservation), Connie Dover (Owl Creek), Aaron Davis (Jackson Hole) and Issac Hayden (Jackson Hole) and many more! Captain Les Bennington of the Pony Express said, we will have 8 Pony Express riders at Wyoming Discovery Days this year. You may experience a bit of history by bringing prepared letters, or purchase a special postcard at the event, to be carried from the festival by Pony Express riders, just like in the pioneer days of our country.
The lineup of demonstrators showcases a multitude of talent from Wyoming’s hands-on traditions. There will be demonstrations from 11am to 7pm on Saturday and 10am to 5pm on Sunday. Among the returning participants this year is David Osmundsen, Arrowhead Forge School of Blacksmithing (Buffalo). He’ll be joined by John Holmes (Thermopolis) and his trailers full of antique engines that shuck corn, run a Maytag washing machine and bring back memories and spark new interests in engines. Tom Lucas (Dubois) will demonstrate flint knapping, bighorn sheep horn bow making, and painting. Darrel Lonebear (Fort Washakie) will return with his drum making demonstrations and how to make ceremonial rawhide rattles. Primitive Camp with Dutch oven cook off, period cavalry garrison from Ft. Casper, acoustic bluegrass jam, petting zoo with Highland Coos, and wool spinning. Saturday night starting at 7 pm we will kick off the First Annual Hoedown Shindig Square Dance with caller Steve Lassiter (Jackson Hole). New this year to the demonstrators, Wyoming Discovery Days welcomes Pit Masters BBQ presenting a live fire extravaganza featuring El Vaquero BBQ & Catering (Oregon) and Super Skewer, who will be fire grilling some interesting and delicious meats that will be available to try. Make sure to stop by to see what they have cooking on the pits!
Back again the infamous Whiskers Jail House! If you are caught clean shaven, the local sheriff will “arrest” you and a $5 bail donation will get you out of jail. It’ll be a lot of fun and raise money for the Discovery Days festival to help keep quality entertainment and education coming to the festival. Bring your own beverage to the Paint & Sip, sponsored by Audra’s Copper Coo (Thermopolis), led by Artisan Alley (Casper) at the Art Activity Tent. There is a minimal cost on Saturday of $25 for the canvas and $15 Sunday for wood on which to paint. The Tipi Retreat is providing a tipi again this year to the children’s activity area to paint a tipi, at no cost. Please stop and add your artistic touch to a Tipi canvas, which will be displayed locally in Thermopolis, after the event.
Ongoing demonstrations on Saturday and Sunday will include Kevin Mosser (Thermopolis) with a display about the geology of Hot Springs County. Rockhounds are invited to come and look at his rock and fossil collection. Worland Wyoming Woodturners will showcase the art of woodturning and how to make bowls, vases, and other items from wood.
The festival is open to the public without charge. Wyoming Arts Council, Wyoming Humanities Council, and the Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund have provided special funding to help with the event. There is additional funding from local and state sponsors including the public and private sector.
The festival is held the same weekend as the Gift of the Waters Pageant Days. The Pageant tells how the hot springs were given to the state by the Native Americans from the Wind River Reservation. It will be performed starting around 6 pm in the area around the Big Spring on Saturday and Sunday evening.
A complete Wyoming Discovery Days Folk Festival schedule will be available at wyomingdiscoverydays.org. closer to the festival date.
Contact info@wyomingdiscoverydays.org for specific inquiries or visit wyomingdiscoverydays.org. Look for Festival Information at the Information Tipi on the festival grounds.