Mountain Man Country

Summer Events

Year-round residents can't quite understand it: there are people who wait all year just to visit Sublette County in the summer, as if great fun can't be had in the snow!

But even the most hard-bitten mountain man would agree that Sublette County reserves its greatest natural splendor, and biggest cultural events, for the balmy summer months. Visitors aren't wrong to want beautiful moderate days with their music festivals, fairs, fur trapper rendezvous, rodeos, ropings and barbecues. They know they can have it all right here.

Our community events are designed with both locals and visitors in mind. They are great places to meet people, have fun and get to know Sublette County. Admission to most events is either free or under $15 per person. Don't forget to check with local newspapers, online community calendars, or the Chamber of Commerce for details, because any year can bring changes to traditional events - and brand new "annual" events!

For outdoor happenings, be sure to bring a hat, sunblock and an extra layer of clothes in case the weather changes. Summer days often start clear, sunny and warm, then include a late afternoon thunderstorm during which temperatures can drop quickly.

For more events visit the Pinedale Online Calendar of Events

Green River Rendezvous

Date: Second Weekend in July
Location: Pinedale, Wyoming

Sublette County's most popular event commemorates the fur trade era of the early 1800s, when mountain men held regular summer gatherings to trade in their furs and celebrate their survival. Festivities include a parade through town, the Rendezvous Ramble walk/run, rodeos, the St. Andrew's Episcopal Church Pie Sale, and the Rendezvous Pageant re-enactment, held annually since 1936. The Museum of the Mountain Man hosts demonstrations, lectures, a buffalo feast fundraiser, and much more. Shop at Trader's Row, shoot a black powder rifle, enjoy people in period costume. For more information go to Rendezvous page.

Big Piney Chuckwagon Days

Date: July 1 - 4, 2007
Location: Big Piney & County Fair Grounds

Big Piney doesn't just observe Independence Day, it celebrates being an American town for two whole days, with a parade, free barbecue cookout, rodeo, street dance and fireworks. You never know who you might meet! Watch newspapers and online community calendars for details.

Sublette County Fair

Date: July 28 – August 5, 2007
Location: County Fairgrounds in Marbleton
More Information: http://www.sublette.com/countyfair/

For a real taste of rural Wyoming life, come stroll the fairgrounds with a piece of hot frybread dripping with honey and watch the talent contest, livestock shows and sales, and especially the Little Buckaroo Rodeo featuring our toughest - and youngest - mutton busters! There are also grown-up rodeos, clowns and other performers, a concert and dance, tractor pull, craft and art exhibits, 4-H displays and more.

Rodeo, Roping & Horse Events

Date: June - September
Location: Pinedale, Big Piney/Marbleton

High School and Adult Rodeos, Ropings and Team Ropings start in June and continue into September. Most weekends find a rodeo or roping at either the Sublette County Ag Center on the county fairgrounds outside Marbleton, or at the Pinedale Rodeo Grounds. Because of the indoor ag center, roping and horse events are now held year round. Major rodeos are held during Chuckwagon Days in Big Piney/Marbleton and during Rendezvous Days in Pinedale.

Cowboy Shop Classic Roping - August, at the Pinedale Rodeo Grounds
The Cowboy Shop in Pinedale has sponsored this local roping tradition for many years at the Pinedale Rodeo Grounds. Come watch the best ropers around! Buckles and saddles awarded.

Shaggy Pony Play Day - June, at the Pinedale Rodeo Arena.
$1 per event, ages 0 - 11; $2 per event, ages 12 - 100. Events include Musical Tires, Boot Race, TP Relay, Horse Biscuit Race, Cowhide Race, MORE! Come join the fun. Hosted by the Pinedale Lariats 4-H Horse Club.

Big Piney Barrel Racing Bonanza - June, at the Ag Center, County Fairgrounds north of Marbleton.
Weather permitting, Sunday events will be outside. Barrel racing for women and men, fun dog races too. Open to all and spectators get in free. Run by Barrel Racing Bonanza Productions of Blackfoot, Idaho and sanctioned by American West 4-D and the National Barrel Horse Association. Lots of cash prizes, triple points. Open, Peewee, Youth, Senior and Men's Divisions. For more information and to enter, e-mail brbcay@cs.com or call 208-785-5120.

Meadowlark Open Horse Show - June, Starts 8 a.m. at the Ag Center, County Fairgrounds.
Open to all breeds and ages. For more information call Taren Tolton at 307-276-4401.

Community Socials

Hard Hats & Stetsons - March, Annual Fundraiser for the Green River Valley Museum, Green River Valley Museum
The name of this fundraiser was inspired by the double heritage of the Big Piney community: mineral development and ranching. The fundraiser itself is also a combination of two things: supporting a great institution and FUN. It's probably the best party on the south side of Sublette County, with silent and live auctions, door prizes, tasty hors d'oeuvres, plus music and dancing into the wee hours. Tickets are only $10, available at the door or in advance from public libraries and other outlets. Come down and have a great time supporting the Green River Valley Museum and the preservation of Sublette County history.

Annual Daniel Chili Cookoff - Late March or Early April, at Daniel
This contest to see who in Sublette County makes the best red or green chili is also a great opportunity for the rest of us to do some serious eating. A friendly competition sponsored by the Daniel Community Center, the Aniel Daniel takes place at the old Daniel schoolhouse and features local judges and a cake auction fundraiser for schoolhouse upkeep and other local charities.

Bondurant Barbecue - June 24, 2007, Bondurant
The first Bondurant Barbecue was held in 1941 to celebrate the completion of St. Hubert the Hunter Church, a log structure built by locals. Ever since, Bondurant citizens have hosted the feast and welcomed everyone to enjoy their history and their community. The fun starts at noon, but come early to avoid long lines. Live music and lots of visiting! St. Hubert the Hunter Church was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.

Old Timers' Picnic - July 29, 2007, Daniel
Originally a tribute to the county's long-time residents, today any "old timer," regardless of where they're from, is considered an honored guest. Free picnic sponsored by the Daniel Community Center and served at the old Daniel schoolhouse. Absolutely everyone is invited to enjoy lunch and pay their respects to our most experienced citizens. All musicians are welcome to jam and help form an impromptu "sagebrush band" at this fun get-together.

Pinedale Boat Club Picnic - Pinedale
Come to the American Legion Park in Pinedale from noon to 2 p.m. and feast on salmon, king crab, artichokes, salad and corn on the cob. You can join the Boat Club and get in free, or pay $10 per person to eat.

Fishing & Sailing

Half Moon Lake Resort Fishing Derby - June, at Half Moon Lake, Pinedale
Kids and adults can win cash and prizes at this two-day fishing extravaganza. Register at the resort lodge at 7 a.m. and start fishing at 8 a.m. Meals available at the lodge restaurant for around $10 or less; bait and tackle shop open for participants' fishing needs. Call Half Moon Lake Resort at 307-367-6373 for more information.

Father's Day Fishing Derby - June 17, 2007, at Fremont Lake, Pinedale
Sponsored by the Pinedale Boat Club, this is a great day for dads, granddads and kids to get out and have fun. Hours are 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. and registration takes place at Lakeside Lodge. Membership in the boat club is required and can be purchased for $10/person or $20/family. Entry fee is $10. There are cash prizes and 100% payback.

Kids' Fishing Day - June, at the CCC Ponds near Fremont Lake, Pinedale
Usually held in conjunction with National Fishing Week, Kids' Fishing Day gathers children and their parents at the CCC Ponds near Fremont Lake for a day of workshops, prizes, lunch and refreshments. Kids learn about fish identification and habitat, fishing techniques, fishing ethics and safety. A great way to get young anglers started. To pre-register for this event, call the Wyoming Game and Fish office in Pinedale: 307-367-4352, or the USFS Pinedale Ranger District: 307-367-4326. To reach the CCC Ponds, take Fremont Lake Road 3.2 miles, turn left at the sign for Fremont Lake, and turn left at the sign for CCC Ponds, just past Lakeside Lodge (the sign is on the right, but the entrance is on the left). Sponsored by Trout Unlimited, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and the US Forest Service.

Sailing Regatta on Fremont Lake - August 11 & 12, 2007, Fremont Lake
Sponsored by the Fremont Lake Yacht Club and Pinedale Boat Club
Whether you're racing or watching, the Regatta is an elegant spectacle and a challenging event for savvy sailors, given the windy conditions on Fremont Lake. There are some rules, but the emphasis is on fun, with minimal fees and minimal prizes. Three races take place Saturday and two on Sunday, guaranteeing stately groups of bright triangular sails crossing the dark blue expanse of Fremont. Yachting classes range from small single boats to cruisers and multi-hulls. The action starts at the Lakeside Lodge marina (follow the signs from Fremont Lake Rd.) at 9 a.m. with pre-registration. Skippers meet at 10 a.m. and the first race blasts off at 11. All sailing friends, from any port, are welcome.

The main goal of the Fremont Lake Yacht Club is to have fun and to sail. To that end, the club offers free sailing lessons every Saturday morning during the summer prior to Regatta. All of the neophyte sailors get a chance to sail in the Regatta, so sailors old and new get to race together.

For more information, call 888-285-7282.

Golf Tournaments

Rendezvous Scramble Golf Tournament and Fundraiser
Rendezvous Meadows Golf Course, Pinedale
This all-day golf gala features an open golf tournament, 9-hole scrambles, and golf games at every hole in the course. Ever actually try to drive a golf ball into a water tower? Now it makes you a winner! Food, fun, refreshments and friendly people make this fundraiser for the county golf course a great playday.

Golf Tournaments
Refer to the Rendezvous Meadows Golf Course website for dates.

Other Events

Pinedale Social Club Poker Run - August, Sublette County
Besides being the most entertaining way to circumnavigate Sublette County, this poker run benefits the Pinedale Social Club Scholarship Fund for local youth. The route starts in Pinedale and proceeds to Boulder, Eden, LaBarge, Marbleton and the Daniel Junction before heading back to Pinedale - unless they do it backwards. All vehicles are welcome. Organizer Carmen Hittle says, "You're welcome to do it on a bicycle - if you can pedal that fast." There is no entry fee. Poker hands cost $10 each, and you can buy as many as you want. If you can't attend on Poker Run day, the Social Club can arrange for someone else to run the hand for you. Prizes include 1st, 2nd, "Booby" and door prizes.

Wind River Archers 3-D Shoot - May/June
Half Moon Lake Resort. Compound, Traditional and Kids' divisions, prizes, 30 animal rounds, barbecue. For information call Dave 307-367-6373, Wed 307-537-3060, or Mark 307-367-6521.

Pinedale Half Marathon
September 22, 2007
www.pinedalehalfmarathon.com
Call 888-285-7282 for more information.

Family friendly half marathon, 10k and 1 mile walk events in a beautiful mountain setting. Free community picnic and entertainment following.

Pinedale Cowboy Roundup - Cowboy Poetry and Music
An evening of good family entertainment by Yvonne Hollenbeck, Lorraine Rawls, Chris Isaacs, Jerry Hall & Trick Shot, Jesse Smith, and Andy Nelson

Saturday, Oct 14, 7pm
Pinedale High School Auditorium
Tickets $10 at the door or through the Cowboy Shop, Spirits of the West and Sharper Edge Nail Salon in Pinedale
Website www.pinedalecowboyroundup.com

All proceeds benefit Kickin’ Cancer in Sublette County and the Small Miracle Foundation

• "Kickin' Cancer" helps provide resources for families in Sublette County, Wyoming to help with the cost of travel, food and lodging while receiving cancer treatment.
• "Small Miracles Foundation" strives to provide assistance for the brave little folks with childhood cancer and their families.