Entertainment

A Century of Fun at the Carbon County Fair

Publisher — Sat, 15 Aug 2026 05:00:00 +0000

A Century of Fun at the Carbon County Fair

Publisher Sat, 08/15/2026 - 07:00

By MIke Armstrong

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

The Carbon County Fair with its rodeos and competitions hit a landmark year at 100.

For most people, the Fair kicked off with the Fair Parade, on August 1, but in actuality, it started when all entries for 4-H and the FFA were due by July 13.

There was the Open Class Horse Show on July 25 and the Carbon County Barrel Race on July 26, the 4-H Fashion Judging on July 28 and the Dog Show on July 31. This was done before the parade.

Pat and Patty Waldron from Baggs led the parade in a blue T-top Corvette and the theme of the floats that went by was Through the Decades: 100 Years of Carbon County Fair & Rodeo.

After the parade, the Fair was in full swing.

There was a car show on August 1 along with the Excavator Contest. In the evening, there was a volleyball contest.

Sunday morning through the afternoon, there was a lot of checking in for animals and a roping show in the evening

Monday morning, August 3, there was more check-ins, but the Fair was now having Rabbit and Poultry shows. A lot of judging was going on in the Exhibition Building. One of the most popular contests was the Tablescaping sponsored by Discover Carbon County. The tablescaping contest has two winners. The first winner is based on technical criteria and the second winner is people’s choice, where the decorated table is voted on during the week of the Fair and on Friday, a winning table is picked.

“There are a lot of technical criteria that must be hit,” Discover Carbon County Marketing and Sales Director Megan McComus said. “Are the linens pressed? Do you have the right utensils? All must be placed in a certain place and a lot of the judging is done off what the menus are offering. So if you have a hot beverage, your glassware must match.”

First place went to the Dracula table and People Choice went to the Ice Cream Table.

“It is limited to 10 tables each year,” McComus said. “And if tablescaping is not your thing, check out the other open class events such as art, needlepoint and photography. There is something for everyone and it is open to the public.”

A big hit with the kids on Monday was the Energy Day exhibits that Carbon County Economic Development puts forth each year. Kids get prizes after visiting booths and learning about the different utilities of Carbon County.

There were booths inside for attendees to visit and see exhibits and learn about their County.

The table where the Carbon County Fire District had a lot of information for people to learn about protecting themselves in a fire and being prepared. Hanna Fire Chief of the Volunteer Department Mark Kostovny was on hand to answer questions as was Josh Prow, who works for the Fire District.

Both said the season was not bad, but all it takes is one spark.

“Be fire wise,” Kostovny said. “Don’t dumb things.”

The Rawlins Police Department’s Victim’s Assistance program was there. Brilee Holcomb, an employee, talked about how fraud has become a serious problem and had information at her table on how to prevent it from happening and what to do.

“We have info on identity theft, fraud and any sort of scams,” Holcomb said. Unfortunately, we live in an age where it happens way too much. It is scary.”

There was a cat show where cats were put before judges and were fairly calm considering the crowd watching.

The pie contest was hit with Bank of Commerce CEO Copper France, Carbon County Commissioner Sue Jones and Carbon County Commissioner John Johnson judging. They tried eight entries.

“This is actually a highlight of the year,” Johnson said, smiling. “My kids say this contest is the only reason I am running for re-election.”

“It is a job as Commissioner we look forward to,” Jones joked. “It really is.”

Lesa Vasquez, the superintendent of the pie contest, said they enjoyed all the entries. She has been doing her job for seven years. There is a youth category where 11-and-under are entered in a separate category from adults. Three pies came from the youth category.

“I am very joyful having everybody here,” Vasquez said. “And I look forward to next year.”

Leslie Jefferson, CEO for Discover Carbon County, is happy to support the Fair because of what benefits it brings to so many.

“The Fair is the highlight of the County every year. The 4-H and FFA kids get to come and show off their wares and present their animals,” Jefferson said. “We are here at this table to let everyone see what is available in Carbon County as a tourist destination.”

Jefferson and McComas have seen people come up to the table not only from out of State, but also out of the Country.

Lindsey Miller works for Carbon County COVE and their table gives information on helping those who face domestic violence and sexual violence.

“We can help anyone with different kinds of resources escaping abusive relationships, finding shelter and food,” Miller said. “We are a non-profit that works with the Carbon County Sheriff’s Department and Rawlins Police Department. We are funded by donations.”

Miller pointed out that, on average, it takes someone seven times to leave an abusive relationship. She finds it rewarding helping those in need.

The Fair had a good assortment of Food Trucks and there were people walking around with treats. There was a Whiskey Tent that had Backwards Distillery serving libations.

The Fair ebbed and flowed with people coming to enjoy all the shows and activities during the week. There were rodeos and a concert on Thursday night that featured Mark Wills.

Friday was the buyers’ luncheon and Junior Livestock Sale, where kids got to sell their animals. For many, the sale is highly anticipated.

The Demolition Derby was packed on Saturday, August 8.

“I have been coming here for 30-plus years,” Spectator Kathleen Evans said. “I come here because I like to be with family and it gives us a chance to get together once a year. It is a lot of fun. If you have never come to one, you should, because it is kind of cool to watch.”

Once the Demolition Derby finished, the Carbon County Fair, celebrating 100 years, closed.

Although the Fair is over, many attendees and participants are looking forward to next year.

Fair Parade Honors a Century of Carbon County Tradition

Publisher — Sat, 08 Aug 2026 17:00:00 +0000

Fair Parade Honors a Century of Carbon County Tradition

Publisher Sat, 08/08/2026 - 19:00

By Mike Armstrong

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

Warm temperatures did little to keep spectators away as hundreds lined the streets of downtown Rawlins on August 1 for the Carbon County Fair Parade, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Carbon County Fair & Rodeo.

This year’s fair theme, “Through the Decades: 100 Years of Carbon County Fair & Rodeo,” was reflected throughout the parade as local businesses, community organizations, political candidates and classic vehicles made their way along the downtown route.

Leading the procession were grand marshals Pat and Patty Waldron of Baggs, who rode in a blue T-top Corvette while waving to the crowd. Their selection recognized their longtime support of the Carbon County Fair and the local community.

The parade featured a wide variety of entries, from colorful floats and decorated vehicles to campaign entries and demolition derby cars promoting the August 8 competition. Participants tossed candy to children lining the route, creating one of the parade’s most anticipated traditions. Youngsters eagerly gathered treats while remaining attentive to the steady stream of vehicles passing through downtown.

Families filled sidewalks and curbsides throughout the morning, many arriving early to secure a good viewing spot. The festive atmosphere highlighted the community spirit that has long been a hallmark of the Carbon County Fair.

For a century, the fair has brought together residents from across Carbon County to celebrate agriculture, youth achievement, western heritage and community pride. The annual parade remains one of the must-see events of fair week, officially kicking off several days of livestock shows, rodeo events, entertainment and family activities.

30th Annual Steinley Cup Microbrew Festival Returns

Publisher — Sat, 01 Aug 2026 13:00:00 +0000

30th Annual Steinley Cup Microbrew Festival Returns Publisher Sat, 08/01/2026 - 15:00

Press Release

Saratoga/Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce

The Saratoga/Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the return of the 30th Annual Steinley Cup Microbrew Festival, taking place Saturday, August 15, 2026, at Veterans Island in Saratoga, Wyoming.

Celebrating three decades of craft beer, competition, and community, the Steinley Cup is Wyoming’s first and oldest microbrew competition. Since its beginning, the event has brought together breweries, craft beer enthusiasts, and visitors from across Wyoming and beyond to celebrate the art of brewing and the creativity of Wyoming’s brewing community.

The Steinley Cup features Wyoming microbreweries competing for the coveted Steinley Cup trophy in a statewide competition that has become a signature event in Saratoga and the Platte Valley.

The 2026 Steinley Cup Microbrew Festival offers attendees an afternoon filled with craft beer tastings, friendly competition, entertainment, and a one-of-a-kind Wyoming experience.

“Steinley Cup is one of those events that truly represents what makes the Platte Valley special,” said Gabi Johnson, Director of Operations for the Saratoga/Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce. “For 30 years, this event has brought people together, showcased Wyoming breweries, and created memories for residents and visitors alike. We are excited to celebrate this milestone with our community.”

Attendees can expect:

• Craft beer tastings from Wyoming microbreweries

• The 30th Annual Steinley Cup brewing competition

• The opportunity to vote for their favorite brews

• Live entertainment

• Food options

• A fun afternoon celebrating Wyoming craft beer and community

Whether you are a longtime Steinley Cup attendee or experiencing the festival for the first time, the 30th Annual Steinley Cup Microbrew Festival offers the perfect opportunity to gather with friends, enjoy great beer, and celebrate one of Saratoga’s most treasured traditions.

Attendees must be 21 years of age or older to participate in beer tastings. Identification will be required.

For more information, tickets, or event updates, visit www.saratogachamber.info or follow the Saratoga/Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce on social media.

Mountain Man Rendezvous Celebrates 45 years of Keeping History Alive

Publisher — Sat, 01 Aug 2026 13:00:00 +0000

Mountain Man Rendezvous Celebrates 45 years of Keeping History Alive

Publisher Sat, 08/01/2026 - 15:00

By Dana Davis

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

Long before sunrise each morning, thin ribbons of blue smoke curled above rows of canvas tents behind the Grand Encampment Museum. Cast iron coffee pots simmered over open fires. The smell of wood smoke drifted through camp as men and women dressed in buckskins, homespun shirts and prairie dresses prepared for another day of living history.

For one weekend each summer, modern conveniences fade into the background as the Sierra Madre Rifle Club transports visitors nearly two centuries into the past.

The club’s 45th Annual Mountain Man Rendezvous, held July 24-26, once again transformed the museum grounds into an authentic 1830s fur trade encampment. More than just a reenactment, the annual gathering has become a tradition that spans generations, with grandparents introducing grandchildren to the same skills they learned as children decades earlier.

Throughout the weekend, the familiar sounds of black powder rifles echoed across the valley while knives and tomahawks struck wooden targets with satisfying thuds. Vendors lined Trader’s Row with handcrafted goods ranging from leather possibles bags and fur hats to knives, blankets, beadwork and period clothing.

Children eagerly searched through the popular sawdust pile for hidden treasures before gathering for the evening trading blanket, where they learned the value of bartering instead of buying.

The event was as much about education as entertainment.

Participants camped in primitive conditions using canvas tents, cooking over open fires and demonstrating the everyday skills that mountain men, trappers and traders relied upon to survive in the Rocky Mountains during the height of the fur trade.

Unlike many historical reenactments that focus on staged performances, the Encampment rendezvous encourages visitors to wander through camp, ask questions and learn directly from participants who spend years mastering traditional skills.

For many participants, authenticity is more than just clothing.

It is preserving knowledge that otherwise could disappear.

That commitment has helped the Sierra Madre Rifle Club build one of Carbon County’s longest-running living history events. Now celebrating its 45th year, the rendezvous continues to attract families from throughout Wyoming and neighboring states who return every summer.

Many of those families now represent three or even four generations of participants.

Children who once searched for coins in the sawdust pit now bring children of their own.

Among those carrying on that tradition is Natalie Adams.

A familiar face around rendezvous camp, Adams has become known for her skill with a knife, tomahawk, flint and steel and muzzleloading firearms.

This year she earned first place in the women’s knife throwing competition, adding another accomplishment to an already impressive list of frontier skills.

Adams is also recognized as a champion fire starter using only flint and steel, a method mountain men relied upon long before modern matches.

But perhaps her greatest accomplishment has been passing those skills to the next generation.

Her daughters, Zeva, 14, and Amelia, 8, have attended rendezvous since they were babies.

What began as childhood adventures has grown into genuine participation.

Today both girls compete in muzzleloading shooting events and have spent years enjoying nearly every youth activity offered during rendezvous, from searching for treasure in the sawdust pile to participating in the popular trading blanket.

Adams believes the value extends well beyond learning historical skills.

Under the guidance of family members, her daughters have learned to safely handle a .50-caliber muzzleloader, throw knives and tomahawks responsibly and build fires the way mountain men once did.

The lessons teach patience, responsibility and respect alongside marksmanship and outdoor skills.

For the girls, rendezvous is more than a weekend event.

It is part of growing up.

Trader’s Row has long been one of rendezvous’s biggest attractions.

Visitors browse handcrafted goods while vendors spend hours explaining traditional methods and materials used in their work.

One of those vendors was trapper Tim Kilper, whose display featured coyote pelts, beaver hides and other fur products harvested through traditional trapping.

Business, he said, started almost immediately.

Before he had even finished unloading his truck or setting up his booth, customers were already making purchases.

“The first two people spent about $745,” Kilper said with a laugh. “That was probably the best start I’ve had in six years.”

The early rush surprised him.

Most neighboring booths had not even been erected when buyers began arriving.

Since then, traffic had slowed somewhat, but he remained pleased with the strong opening.

Kilper traps many of the pelts himself.

Coyotes make up much of his display, although beaver remains one of his specialties.

He often traps nuisance beavers for landowners before sending the hides to a tannery in Idaho.

Many of the beaver hides he harvested during the past winter were still being processed and had not yet returned in time for rendezvous.

While trapping has become more of a hobby than a business, Kilper continues to enjoy sharing his knowledge with visitors curious about an occupation that once shaped the history of the American West.

While black powder shooting competitions remain central to the weekend, rendezvous includes much more than marksmanship.

Knife throwing on Friday challenged competitors to test accuracy and consistency from measured distances.

Tomahawk throwing followed on Saturday, drawing experienced throwers and first-time participants alike.

The competitions emphasize safe handling and historical technique rather than speed or spectacle.

Nearby, muzzleloading events highlighted the patience required to fire traditional firearms.

Unlike modern rifles, every shot requires a careful sequence of loading black powder, patching the round ball, seating the projectile and priming the lock before firing.

Each successful shot reminds participants just how much technology has changed over the past two centuries.

The competitions also demonstrate why mountain men valued precision.

In the wilderness, a missed shot could mean going hungry.

Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the Sierra Madre Rifle Club’s rendezvous is not the authenticity of the camp or the craftsmanship displayed throughout Trader’s Row.

It is the people.

Many participants can trace decades of involvement with the event.

Parents who attended as children now watch their sons and daughters compete in the same events.

Grandparents share stories of earlier rendezvous while helping youngsters lace moccasins, load muzzleloaders or practice knife throwing under careful supervision.

Those traditions create an atmosphere that feels more like an extended family reunion than a public event.

Visitors are welcomed into conversations around campfires.

Children quickly become part of games and activities.

Experienced mountain men happily answer questions about clothing, cooking, firearms and frontier survival.

For newcomers, the event offers an opportunity to step into another century.

Carbon County’s connection to mountain man history runs deep.

Long before permanent settlements appeared, trappers and traders crossed the region’s rivers and mountain passes in search of valuable beaver pelts.

Encampment itself owes much of its identity to those frontier beginnings.

The annual rendezvous serves as a reminder of that heritage.

Unlike museums where artifacts remain behind glass, participants bring history to life through demonstration and conversation.

Children can watch sparks fly from flint and steel before trying the technique themselves.

Visitors can examine handcrafted leather goods, observe black powder shooting or simply sit beneath the shade of canvas flys listening to stories.

The Grand Encampment Museum provides the perfect setting, allowing visitors to experience both living history and the museum’s permanent exhibits in one location.

For 45 years, the Sierra Madre Rifle Club has preserved an important piece of Wyoming’s frontier heritage by allowing people to experience history rather than simply read about it.

Each year new children discover the excitement of finding treasure in a trade, making their first successful knife throw or watching sparks from flint and steel ignite dry tinder.

Many of those children will likely return years from now with families of their own.

That continuity may be the rendezvous’s greatest success.

In an age of smartphones and streaming video, the annual gathering continues to prove there is still tremendous value in slowing down, gathering around a campfire and remembering the people whose determination, craftsmanship and self-reliance helped shape the American West.

100 Years of Fair Fun Awaits at the Carbon County Fair

Publisher — Sat, 01 Aug 2026 13:00:00 +0000

100 Years of Fair Fun Awaits at the Carbon County Fair

Publisher Sat, 08/01/2026 - 15:00

Rawlins Chamber Brings Back Cow Plop

Publisher — Sat, 01 Aug 2026 13:00:00 +0000

Rawlins Chamber Brings Back Cow Plop

Publisher Sat, 08/01/2026 - 15:00

By Mike Armstrong

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

On Saturday, August 1, the Carbon County Fair Parade will start at 10 a.m. It will not be the only tradition happening around that time.

The Rawlins Chamber is putting on the 25th Annual Cow Plop at the Tractor Supply Company store in Rawlins.

The Cow Plop will officially start at 10 a.m.

Each square is $10.

If your square is lucky enough to be hit, money is to be won.

There was a couple-year break, but the Rawlins have brought it back.

Dori Fritz, the Rawlins Chamber president and T.J. White, the CEO of the Rawlins Chamber, are raising the profile of what used to be the Rawlins Chamber of Commerce, but now is referred to as the Rawlins Chamber officially.

The Cow Plop was last done in 2021 and Fritz and White felt it was important to bring it back.

“It is a community event,” Fritz said. “Just like the basketball games.”

On the same day, there will be a 3-on-3 basketball tournament presented by Rawlins Boys AAU.

It will go on for a good part of the day. There are cash prizes for the winners.

The Rawlins Chamber is open to all businesses in Carbon County, not just Rawlins and this is a key point. Many of the smaller communities in the North of Carbon County and Little Snake River Valley do not have enough businesses to support a local chamber, but they can join the Rawlins Chamber.

Fritz and White say this is an opportunity for businesses to help each other with a networking system that the Rawlins Chamber provides.

The Rawlins Chamber was formed in 2025.

It is not the same as the Rawlins Chamber of Commerce, which existed prior.

“We are not the same board,” Fritz said. “We focus on all businesses all over the County. We are able to cheerlead for businesses with our website and promotions like we are doing this Saturday. We do ribbon cutting ceremonies for businesses that open or renovate.”

Helping a business succeed is the goal of the Rawlins Chamber.

Another contest happening on Saturday that involves a bit of animal waste is the Chicken Drop. Those tickets are only a dollar.

Immediately following the Cow Plop and Chicken Drop Contest is the Hot Dog eating contest. The fastest to finish wins.

The County Fair may be kicking off Saturday morning, but in the Tractor Supply Company store parking lot, the Rawlins Chamber is going to have fun family events most of the day.

New York Hiker Brings Laughter, Lessons and Oreos to Rawlins Half-Way Days

Publisher — Sat, 25 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000

New York Hiker Brings Laughter, Lessons and Oreos to Rawlins Half-Way Days

Publisher Sat, 07/25/2026 - 11:00

By Dana Davis

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

It did not take long for Triple Crown hiker and author Derick Lugo to win over the crowd at Rawlins Half-Way Days.

Within minutes of stepping to the podium on July 11, Lugo had hikers, volunteers and local residents laughing as he mixed practical backcountry advice with self-deprecating humor, unforgettable trail stories and an enthusiasm for the Continental Divide Trail that was as contagious as his well-documented addiction to Oreos.

Sponsored by Farm to Feet and held as one of the signature events of Rawlins Half-Way Days, Lugo’s presentation celebrated much more than hiking. It highlighted the friendships formed along America’s long-distance trails, the generosity of Wyoming communities, and the volunteers who help make the Continental Divide Trail one of the country’s premier outdoor experiences.

For nearly two hours, Lugo kept the audience entertained with stories from his thru-hikes of the Appalachian Trail, Continental Divide Trail and Pacific Crest Trail while sprinkling in practical advice for aspiring hikers.

“If you’re writing notes,” he joked early in the presentation, “everyone should use a sun umbrella. I don’t care what anybody says.”

The audience laughed as he described proudly carrying his umbrella while other hikers insisted they did not need one, only to later admit they wished they had followed his example.

He also encouraged hikers to protect themselves from the relentless western sun with gloves, sunglasses and plenty of water while learning to embrace night hiking during the hottest stretches of the trail.

Unlike hiking through the forests of the Appalachian Trail, Lugo said hiking beneath a full moon in the deserts of New Mexico became one of his favorite memories.

“It was beautiful,” he said. “I finally felt like I was getting back into thru-hiking.”

One of the first major lessons came during New Mexico’s famous Gila River section.

Hikers often joke about crossing the river “hundreds of times,” and Lugo decided to find out exactly how many.

“I counted,” he said with a grin. “Two hundred forty-nine.”

Determined to keep his hiking shoes dry, Lugo switched into Crocs for the crossings.

That plan quickly unraveled.

After repeatedly changing footwear, he eventually hiked several miles wearing only Crocs before attempting what appeared to be an easy crossing near camp.

Instead, he leaped directly into waist-deep mud.

“I looked around and thought, ‘Well, at least nobody saw me.’”

Then someone on the opposite bank called out.

“I told them, ‘There’s nothing to see here!’”

He eventually lost one Croc, soaked the shoes he had worked all day to keep dry, and learned a valuable lesson.

“Just walk through the river with your shoes on,” he said. “They’re going to dry.”

Throughout the presentation, Lugo repeatedly reminded the audience that many of the hardest moments eventually become the best stories.

He described what hikers call the “three types of fun.”

Type One is enjoyable in the moment.

Type Two is difficult but rewarding.

Type Three, he explained, is when “something has gone terribly wrong.”

“You never want to do it again,” he laughed. “But now you’ve got a story.”

One of those stories nearly became much more serious.

Despite repeated warnings from fellow hikers to leave camp before sunrise in Colorado’s high country, Lugo stayed true to his New York City habit of sleeping in.

On the Appalachian Trail, he often left camp around 9 or 10 a.m.

That routine nearly proved disastrous on the Continental Divide Trail.

Afternoon thunderstorms routinely build over Colorado’s peaks, creating dangerous conditions above timberline.

Ignoring advice to start early, Lugo found himself hiking more than 13,000 feet above sea level as rain quickly turned into hail.

His fingers became numb.

He struggled to operate his phone.

The wind pushed against him as visibility disappeared.

At one point he sheltered behind a trail sign that barely blocked the wind from his upper body while hail continued pounding his legs.

Trying to encourage himself, he remembered a quote from Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning.

“Suffer proudly, but not miserably.”

He laughed as he recalled trying to bravely step away from the sign before immediately retreating.

“I proudly stumbled away,” he told the audience. “Then I thought, ‘Nope. It’s too miserable.’”

Eventually he forced himself to continue hiking.

Only minutes later the storm ended almost as suddenly as it had begun.

“Within about 45 minutes I was completely dry,” he said. “Like nothing had happened.”

The experience permanently changed his hiking routine.

The following day he rose before dawn to avoid another storm while climbing another Colorado peak.

That lesson came at a cost.

Racing downhill to outrun another approaching storm, Lugo bounded down enormous stone steps, eventually developing painful shin splints.

“The right answer is to rest for a week,” he joked.

“When you’re thru-hiking, you’re not taking a week off.”

Lugo also shared one of the realities many hikers overlook—the emotional bonds formed on the trail.

He described how strangers gradually become family.

Age, nationality and background disappear after enough shared miles.

He recalled hiking hundreds of miles alongside fellow hikers, including a 63-year-old woman, two English hikers affectionately known as “Pirate Dan” and others who became part of his trail family.

Some hiked faster.

Others slower.

The group often separated before unexpectedly reuniting days or even weeks later farther up the trail.

Those friendships, Lugo said, remain among the most rewarding parts of long-distance hiking.

His presentation also included breathtaking photographs from New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana.

Images of the Gila Cliff Dwellings, sweeping alpine ridges, Wyoming’s open country and Montana’s famous Chinese Wall drew audible reactions from the audience.

Looking at one especially dramatic landscape, Lugo laughed.

“It looks fake,” he said. “Like somebody put me in front of a backdrop.”

It was anything but.

Lugo spoke openly about another challenge many hikers face—fear.

For him, that fear is vertigo.

While climbing Colorado’s 14,000-foot peaks, steep drop-offs on either side often triggered dizziness.

His solution was surprisingly simple.

Having another hiker nearby, and sometimes wearing an earbud on the side facing the drop, helped him convince his brain he was safe.

The audience also enjoyed his discussion of wildlife.

After spending his entire Appalachian Trail hike hoping to see a moose without success, Lugo finally encountered one a decade later on the Continental Divide Trail.

“Then,” he laughed, “I started seeing moose everywhere.”

His discussion eventually shifted to grizzly country and bear spray.

Many hikers, he observed, incorrectly store bear spray inside their backpacks.

“What are you going to do?” he joked. “’Hold on, Mr. Bear. Let me get my backpack off.’”

Instead, he kept his spray strapped across his chest where it could be reached instantly.

He also admitted he initially misunderstood how bear spray should be used.

Rather than spraying directly at an approaching bear, hikers should create a cloud between themselves and the animal.

“The picture they showed,” he laughed, “the bear was already way too close.”

No subject generated more laughter than Lugo’s food.

As a vegan, he said many people insisted he would never successfully complete a thru-hike.

Instead, he demonstrated just how simple trail meals can be.

Oatmeal with peanut butter.

Ramen.

Tortillas.

Trail mix.

Bagels.

Peanut butter.

Mail drops packed with vegan jerky, bars and coffee.

Then came the Oreos.

“When I found out Oreos were vegan,” Lugo said, “that became my thing.”

Along with Dr Pepper, Oreos became his signature trail craving.

He even read a humorous passage from one of his books comparing Oreo addiction to cocaine after another hiker jokingly replaced the word “cocaine” with “Oreos” while reading a list of addiction symptoms.

The audience erupted with laughter as each symptom became increasingly ridiculous.

“Intense cravings for Oreos.”

“Spending significant amounts of time obtaining Oreos.”

“Hiding or hoarding Oreos.”

“I’ve definitely done that,” Lugo admitted.

The jokes continued throughout the afternoon, but underneath the humor was a genuine appreciation for the kindness shown by complete strangers.

Growing up in New York City, Lugo admitted he was suspicious whenever someone offered help.

“When people were nice to me,” he said, “I wondered what they wanted.”

That changed on the trail.

Trail angels, volunteers who provide rides, food, water or encouragement, helped transform both his hiking experience and his outlook on life.

Rather than wondering why strangers were helping, he eventually looked for ways to give something back.

Sometimes that meant sharing stories.

Sometimes it meant simply spending time talking with people who wanted to hear about life on the trail.

Those experiences ultimately inspired him to become an author.

“I didn’t even know if I liked hiking,” he said.

Melodic Storytelling in Sinclair

Publisher — Sat, 25 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Melodic Storytelling in Sinclair

Publisher Sat, 07/25/2026 - 11:00

By Mike Armstrong

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

The Parco/Sinclair Theater had another free concert on Saturday, July 18 at 6 p.m. with an artist from Japan. Hiroya Tsukamoto came to Sinclair by way of the Rawlins Music Academy (RMA).

Damein Cesko, the director of the RMA was at the historic theater to introduce Tsukamoto, who had played for the Academy in prior years.

Cesko assured the audience they were in for a treat.

He was absolutely correct.

Tsukamoto spoke softly as he explained that each piece he performed in concert told a story. He played guitar that worked in sync with a pedal that could echo his voice or guitar. It was all live.

Tsukamoto’s first song set the mood by explaining he and his wife were driving in Utah and he was inspired by the deep canyons they drove through,

“I was not comfortable driving a jeep through them, but fortunately she was,” Tsukamoto laughed a little. “We came across this beautiful natural stone bridge and I went ‘Wow,’ and the music came to me while looking at it.”

The music was gentle and meandered along as he strummed notes to the audience’s enchantment.

His words before had set the scene and his music painted a picture of walking around this scenic wonder. When he sang the words to the song, they were haunting with the echo effect of the pedal.

Once he finished his first song, the crowd was hooked.

The next song was from a recently released album. He said he got inspired to write this song while visiting Cape Cod last summer.

It was again melodic and was purely instrumental.

Tsukamoto explained his third musical entry was going to be a folk song from Okinawa.

“Okinawa was given back to Japan in the 1960s from the United States,” Tsukamoto explained as he strummed his guitar. “Okinawa was actually its own country that lasted 500 years. These people developed their own culture. This song is about a beautiful lady who turns down a powerful king. This song is a little difficult because it is in a language I don’t speak, but you are welcome to sing along if you wish.”

The audience laughed at Tsukamoto’s sense of humor.

He explained that the instrument originally used to create this song was three-stringed, and that he would play his guitar that way.

The music could be immediately identified as Asian with its plucking tones coming from the guitar.

Tsukamoto played a song inspired by his drive in Kansas and seeing the small towns that were dying. He said he came from a small town in Kyoto Prefecture that was similar to many of the towns he came across

“I enjoyed the small towns and the people there,” Tsukamoto said. “There was a real sense of community. So it will start slow like driving through the town when you are in it and it will get stronger and faster once you leave and then get slow again once you come to another town.”

Tsukamoto explaining what he was doing made the song that much more enjoyable.

The storytelling before each song was an intricate part of the concert and Tsukamoto was getting the audience involved with each song.

The song Petrichor was named by a friend when Tsukamoto made it up in Michigan. The term petrichor refers to the smell of the earth after it rains. It is a relatively new word in linguistics, having been invented in 1964 by Australian researchers. It comes from the Greek words petros (stone) and ichor (the fluid that flows in the veins of the gods).

The song did start out like raindrops falling and then went into gentle tones of Tsukamoto’s voice. Then it finished with its raindrop tunes.

His song Coastline Remembrance came from when he visited Virginia’s coast.

It was another pleasant, lyrical tune.

After this song, he explained the pedal he used to amplify his voice and guitar. None of his music is pre-recorded and is merged with live playing and seeing. The pedal makes the echo, but it is live and happening as Tsukamoto performs.

Tsukamoto’s first instrument he learned to play was a banjo. His father bought him one while he was growing up in Japan. That is when Tsukamoto started learning bluegrass. He practiced all during his high school years. He then played his guitar like a banjo for his next musical choice.

Once done, he said most of his songs had been written and inspired by living in the United States.

The song he did next was inspired by his grandparents’ home in Japan.

“Their home was in the mountains and it is a beautiful place,” Tsukamoto said. “This setting inspired this song because it reminded me of my childhood.”

His last song had one of the most interesting stories.

While visiting New Hampshire, he saw the mountain, which is actually two mountains, that forms an area locals call “The Sleeping Giant.” A friend who was a teacher at a nearby college invited him to hike the mountain together. Then his friend insisted he write a song about the experience, so Tsukamoto did exactly that.

“I want to finish my night with this song I composed for my friend and enjoying the beautiful place that I hiked,” Tsukamoto said. “I named the song after the indigenous people’s name for “The Sleeping Giant”, which is called Hobbomock.”

The song was powerful and an excellent way to end the concert.

The audience understood why Cesko found Tsukamoto an amazing artist who should be enjoyed.

Tsukamoto lived in Japan until he was in his early 20s.

He came to the United States to study music. He went to Boston and studied at the Berklee College of Music and ended up staying. He has been in a group that enjoyed success and was a studio musician for some time.

“Twelve ago I decided to be a solo artist,” Tsukamoto said. “I tour and play small theaters like this and I enjoy being able to talk to the audience. It is important in my concerts.”

He met Cesko three years ago and played for the RMA.

They became friends.

Tsukamoto enjoys coming to Carbon County and playing. Most of this tour is in Colorado but he finds Wyoming extremely welcoming and beautiful.

“I have lived in America for 24 years and have seen many amazing places,” Tsukamoto said. “Wyoming is definitely one of the most beautiful.”

Cesko said the reason he enjoys Tsukamoto is his ability to connect with the audience with his storytelling before going into the music.

“The musical talent is there, but the storytelling is fantastic,” Cesko said. “Hiroya gives amazing concerts; it is that simple.”

Grand Encampment Cowboy Gathering Celebrates the West Through Music, Poetry and Tradition

Publisher — Sat, 25 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Grand Encampment Cowboy Gathering Celebrates the West Through Music, Poetry and Tradition

Publisher Sat, 07/25/2026 - 11:00

By Dana Davis

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

There are few places where the traditions of the American West remain as authentic as they do in Encampment, and for three days the Grand Encampment Cowboy Gathering once again proved why it has become one of Wyoming’s treasured celebrations of cowboy culture.

From July 17-19, Grand View Park and the Encampment School welcomed visitors from across Wyoming and well beyond for a weekend filled with cowboy poetry, music, storytelling, Dutch oven cooking, youth competitions and fellowship. This year’s theme, “Heritage of the Cowboys – Celebrating America’s 250,” tied the event to the nation’s semiquincentennial while honoring the ranching traditions that helped shape both Wyoming and the United States.

The weekend began Friday evening beneath the cottonwoods of Grand View Park as Steve Moulton, Ken Kreusel, Jason Swedlund and Mika Petty opened the gathering with music and poetry before acclaimed historian and performer Andy Hedges presented Heritage of the Cowboys. As darkness settled over the valley, the campfire open mic drew performers and audience members together in a traditional cowboy jam session directed by Kreusel, where songs, stories and laughter carried late into the night.

Saturday offered a full day of activities, beginning with Jack Schmidt’s Dutch oven cooking demonstration before attendees gathered for “Coffee with the Cowboys.” Moderated by Candy Moulton, the discussion featured Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame inductees Lua Kelly, Jim Johnson and Tim Barkhurst sharing memories of ranch life, the lessons learned on horseback and the importance of preserving cowboy heritage for future generations.

The Encampment-Riverside Lions Club served lunch before attention turned to the next generation of storytellers during recognition of the Grand Encampment Cowboy Gathering Youth Cowboy Poetry Contest winners.

This year’s winners included:

Second Grade

• First Place: Bracyen Berger, What if Cowboys Had Trading Cards

Fourth Grade

• First Place: Bexton Berger, Big Nose George

• Second Place: Alaina Pantel, Young Wyoming Ranchers

• Third Place: Claire Romios, Ranching Life

Fifth Grade

• First Place: Dawson Stern, Being a Cowboy

• Second Place: Anna McLinskey, A Cowgirl’s Job

• Third Place: Alex Jones, Cowboys

Eighth Grade

• First Place: Bayla Berger, Tiny Spurs

• Second Place: Hoytt McKinney, From Wanted to Missing

• Third Place: Lexi Horn, Cowgirl’s Life

The contest highlighted one of the gathering’s central missions—ensuring cowboy poetry remains a living tradition rather than simply a historical art form.

Throughout Saturday afternoon, Grand View Park transformed into an outdoor concert venue as Terry Nash, Andy Hedges, Kaycey and Jenna, Jack Schmidt, Dave Stamey, Many Strings, Caitlyn Taussig, Kenny and Ivy Raymond, Doug Figgs, Darrel Holden and Floyd and Valerie Beard entertained audiences with a steady stream of western music and cowboy poetry.

While each performer brought a unique style, all shared a deep appreciation for ranch life and the stories that come with it.

Among the crowd favorites was veteran cowboy poet Terry Nash, whose easygoing humor had the audience laughing throughout his performance.

Introducing one poem, Nash joked that it originated after his aerospace engineer cousin described solving the Pythagorean theorem in a dream.

“I never knew what a Pythagorean was,” Nash quipped, drawing immediate laughter from the crowd before launching into an elaborate parody that transformed geometry into the challenge of moving stubborn cattle across open country.

Using triangles, hypotenuses and cattle traps as unlikely ingredients, Nash’s poem illustrated a lesson every rancher understands—that cattle rarely cooperate with carefully made plans.

His conclusion summed up the reality of working livestock with a smile.

“This theorem ain’t so watertight that man and horse are always right,” Nash recited. “Cows can make your brags look thin, and leave you eating crow.”

If the mock geometry lesson had the audience smiling, Nash’s closing selection had them roaring with laughter.

He paid tribute to longtime friend and cowboy poet Al Iverson by performing Spring Cleanup, a humorous tale centered around relocating an old outhouse during a Grange cleanup day. Complete with mistaken identities, colorful ranch humor and an unfortunate mother-in-law, the poem reminded listeners why cowboy poetry has endured for generations, not simply because it celebrates ranch life, but because it captures its humor as well.

As laughter echoed in the gym, Nash encouraged everyone to visit the performers’ tables during intermission and support western artists who continue to keep these traditions alive.

Despite summer temperatures, the gym filled to capacity as locals and visitors packed the bleachers to hear Dave Stamey, Andy Hedges and Terry Nash headline the concert. Volunteers even brought out additional bleachers to accommodate the growing crowd.

The enthusiasm did not go unnoticed.

“It warmed my heart, while sitting waiting for the big stage to start, when I saw y’all had to pull out and set up two more bleachers for all the people coming in,” attendee Dan Phillips later wrote on Facebook.

Phillips had traveled all the way from Portland, Oregon, to attend his first Grand Encampment Cowboy Gathering.

“My first time here, came from Portland, OR, and enjoyed the whole event, the area, and friendly locals.”

That welcoming atmosphere was evident throughout the evening. Between performances, audience members visited with friends, browsed western books, music and artwork, and afterward many remained to speak personally with the performers.

Concertgoer Pam Meyer said hearing one of her favorite cowboy entertainers, Dave Stamey, made the trip worthwhile.

“I only got to hear two or three of my favorites,” Meyer said with a smile, wishing the evening could have lasted even longer.

Beyond music and poetry, Saturday’s show also helped secure the future of the gathering through fundraising efforts.

A rare artwork donated by the estate of Cowboy Bill Wadsworth, Charles M. Russell’s When Horse Flesh Comes High, was auctioned during the evening.

Another western artwork, Rocky Mountain Coolaid by Riverside artist R.G. Finney, was raffled with proceeds supporting future Grand Encampment Cowboy Gatherings. Finney is widely recognized throughout the region for his western and wildlife artwork, making the raffle another popular attraction.

Sunday morning brought the weekend to a peaceful conclusion with Cowboy Church under the tent at Grand View Park.

Led by Ken and Becky Kreusel and joined by members of the Berger family and others, the service reflected the same sense of community that had defined the gathering from beginning to end.

More than simply a weekend of entertainment, the Grand Encampment Cowboy Gathering continues to bridge generations.

Children stood proudly to read original cowboy poems. Veteran ranchers shared stories from decades in the saddle. Award-winning musicians and poets reminded audiences that the cowboy way of life is filled with both hardship and humor. Visitors from across the country experienced Wyoming hospitality firsthand.

In an era increasingly dominated by technology and fast-paced living, the gathering offered something refreshingly different—a chance to slow down, listen to stories, shake hands with strangers who quickly became friends and celebrate a culture built on honesty and perseverance.

Judging by the overflowing bleachers, the laughter that filled both the park and the school gym, and the visitors already talking about returning next year, the Grand Encampment Cowboy Gathering remains one of Carbon County’s signature events.

For one memorable weekend, poetry wasn’t confined to books, music wasn’t limited to a stage, and the spirit of the American cowboy was very much alive in Encampment.

Turn Up the Volume in Carbon Coutny

Publisher — Sat, 25 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Turn Up the Volume in Carbon Coutny

Publisher Sat, 07/25/2026 - 11:00