Community Events

Monday, March 1 - Wednesday, March 31

Lander Valley Schools Art Show

Lander Art center - 224 Main Street, Lander

The Lander Art Center will host the Lander Valley Schools Art Show March 1-31. The reception will be March 5, 6-8 p.m. This exhibition of local talent is for Youth Art Month. This is always a popular show, displaying the artwork of high school and junior high school artists. A wide array of media is represented including oils, acrylics, printmaking, pottery, drawing, pastels, stained glass and computer-generated art.

For more information contact Lennie Poitras at 307-332-5772

Friday, March 12 - Saturday, March 13

Traditional Winter Tales with Willie Leclair

Headwaters Center in Dubois

Willie LeClair will tell traditional winter tales of the Eastern Shoshone Tribe at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 12 at the Headwaters Center in Dubois. The program is free and open to all ages. LeClair, a Riverton resident, is an enrolled member of the Eastern Shoshone Tribe who lectures extensively about the customs and traditions of his people.

On Saturday morning March 13 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., LeClair will talk about growing up in two cultures during an informal workshop session called "Astride two cultures: The Indian in the Cowboy and the Cowboy in the Indian." LeClair's goal is to dispel stereotypes that "encourage people to view American Indians as figures in the historical past, or, even worse, as the characters that Hollywood has created."

LeClair speaks from experience when he talks about living in two worlds. He has lived in two worlds since birth. He was born in Fort Washakie, the son of a Shoshone rancher and a white mother.  He attended college and was learned traditional teachings from elders of the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes. He served in the military and has worked as an air traffic controller in Denver He has also worked in construction in Wyoming and the Denver area, but ranching is his love.

Until recently, LeClair raised Texas Longhorn cattle on his small ranch near Riverton. The Friday lecture and Saturday morning workshop are sponsored by the Dubois Museum, Dubois Branch Library, and Central Wyoming College Dubois Outreach and funded by a grant from the Never Sweat Recreation Board.

For more information contact the Dubois Museum at 307-455-2284, the Dubois Branch Library at 307-455-2992 or the Central Wyoming College coordinator at 307-455-2625

Wednesday, March 17 - Sunday, March 21

The Wizard of Oz - Off Square Theatre

Off Square Theatre Company is the Resident Theatre Company at the Center for the Arts which is located one and a half blocks off the Town Square at 265 South Cache Street in Jackson, WY.

A JACKSON HOLE YOUTH PRODUCTION!

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is a children's novel written by L. Frank Baum and illustrated by W.W. Denslow. It was originally published by the George M. Hill Company in Chicago on May 17, 1900, and has since been reprinted countless times, most often under the name The Wizard of Oz, which is the name of both the 1902 stage play and the extremely popular, highly acclaimed 1939 film version. The story chronicles the adventures of a girl named Dorothy in the Land of Oz. Thanks in part to the 1939 MGM movie, it is one of the best-known stories in American popular culture and has been widely translated. Its initial success, and the success of the popular 1902 Broadway musical Baum adapted from his story, led to Baum writing thirteen more Oz books.

For more information contact the Center Box Office at 307.733.4900 or 877.733.4901. The Center Theater is an ADA accessible facility. Contact the Box Office By Phone: 307.733.4900 Monday - Friday, 9am to 5pm (MST) In Person: Center Box Office, 265 Cache Street, Jackson Wyoming

Friday, March 19 - Saturday, March 20

3rd Annual Wyoming Snow Run

Togwotee Mountain Lodge

Dubois, Wyoming - The Pink Ribbon Riders will come together with snowmobile riders from all over the west and as far as the east coast on March 19th and 20th for the 3rd Annual Wyoming Snow Run to raise funds for men and women diagnosed with breast cancer. The pink ribbon ride is on the Continental Divide Snowmobile Trail that runs from Yellowstone Park to Lander, Wyoming. Uniquely remote and accessible, the groomed trail system carves its way below the towering peaks of the Absaroka and Wind River mountain ranges through some of the most majestic and wildlife rich terrain in America.

The volunteer based non-profit organization's mission is to provide financial assistance for men and women diagnosed with breast cancer. The Pink Ribbon Riders financial assistance program is made available to help the patients with any financial needs they have while battling the disease.

The Fund raising event is called a " Snow Run" it is a two-part event that includes a Welcome Party and a snowmobile ride with a dinner banquet with contests and giveaways. Two of the signature contests that take place are a snowmobile awareness decorating contest and a vintage snow suit contest.

The Snow Run tour has taken place this winter in New York, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Dakota. The 3rd Annual Wyoming Snow Run at Togwotee Mountain Lodge is the last stop on the tour for 2010.

The Pink Ribbon Riders take pride in finding patients in the states in which the Snow Runs are held and even in the communities in which the event is held in to give back to those areas that support them. Patients of the local community are invited to be public recipients of a financial gift and and the families are invited for a night of fun and relaxation as the guests of honor.

The event is open to both men and women and is limited to space at this time as we are almost full! For more information on the event and or registering (the event does require pre-registration) please visit www.pinkribbonriders.com.

For more information contact Jody McKay at 269-744-5157

Saturday, March 27

Ultimate Miniature Bullriding

Lander Old Timer's Indoor Rodeo Arena

Lander, WY - Come experience Ultimate Miniature Bullriding March 27, 5 p.m. in the Lander Old Timer's Indoor Rodeo Arena, 2 Rodeo Drive.  Watch the always-entertaining Mutton Busting (Age 6 and under), PeeWee Bullriding (Ages 7-8), and Mini BullRiding (Ages 9-14).   Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for ages 12-17, and free for ages 11 and under.

Entry fees for the bullriding (9-14) are $65,  (7-8) $45, sheep riding (6 & under) $15 (limited to 6 entries.) Entries open March 11th, 7 - 9 p.m. No late entries accepted.

The UMB (Ultimate Miniature BullRiding) was founded for young bullriders, ages 9-14. These Professional Bull Riding style events allow members to accumulate points throughout the season to qualify for the UMB Finals, as well as represent Wyoming at the North West Miniature Bull Riding Finals (http://www.nwmbrfinals.com). Several states and organizations are represented at these finals. Last year competitors were afforded the chance at around $6000 in prize money, as well as a saddle, chaps, bronzes, and many other prizes.

Miniature bull riding is fast gaining popularity as an extreme sport and training aid for aspiring young bull riders. The livestock used, although small in size, buck similar to full size bulls. Trainers feel that this is more beneficial to riders than getting on roping cattle or calves. Professional bullriders are seeing the benefits of the mini's as well, with bull riding greats such as Wiley Peterson, Chris Shivers, and Matt Austin using them in their bull riding schools. The miniature bulls are a huge crowd pleaser. The ABBI (American Bucking Bull Inc.), the registry for bucking bulls has recently adopted the registration of miniature bucking bulls. Eventually we may see mini bull competitions right alongside the full size bulls at Professional Bull Riding events.

"At the UMB, we believe in helping youngsters from the very beginning," said Tim O'Neal, owner of the HOWL Rodeo Bulls.

Although they are not required to be members, ages 6 and under can enter the Mutton Bustin and the 7-8 year olds can enter the PeeWee BullRiding. There is a very special set of miniature bulls that allow the youngest bull riders the opportunity to learn skills in the chutes and develop confidence and riding skill, which will carry throughout their careers.

As the contestant's abilities grow, they are able to ride more challenging bulls. For those members making the Short-Go at a UMB event, bulls such as #K9 Canine and #15 WarParty, await. These bulls have power, speed, kick and spin, all the elements of their full size counterparts. The bulls range from #11 KingKong (billed as the World's Smallest Bucking Bull) at 32 inches tall to bulls measuring 48 inches tall. Bulls are available for any level rider, from "Never been on" to those ready to move on to full-size bulls.

For those interested in joining the UMB, attending an event, or just to learn more about our mini bucking bulls, please visit our website at http://www.howlrodeobulls.com

For more information contact Wind River Visitors Council at 800-645-6233 or go to http://www.wind-river.org

Thursday, April 8 - Sunday, April 11

Wyoming Association of Taxidermy Artists convention & show

Headwaters Community Arts & Conference Center

Dubois, WY - The western mountain town of Dubois, Wyoming is hosting the 22nd annual Wyoming Association of Taxidermy Artists (WATA) convention and show. Although this is a Wyoming show, exhibitors from a multi-state region will attend and display their taxidermy artwork at the Headwaters Convention Center during April 8-11. On Friday night there will be a banquet and awards ceremony after the artwork is judged by four nationally-known judges. Each judge specializes in a certain field of expertise and will also give seminars on Friday and Saturday.

On Saturday the show is open to the public with a $3 cover charge and children under 12 are free. The general public can vote Saturday on their favorite piece "The Peoples Choice". This show is not only a competition but also an educational tool for both taxidermist and the general public.

For more information contact Dubois Chamber at 307-455-2556