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The National Historic Trails Interpretive Center will celebrate their 10th anniversary with pioneer reenactments, Ten Sleep troubadour Jalan Crossland and a lot more. You can ride in a wagon, push a handcart, explore a homestead, check out a tipi, and more.


The family-friendly event, free and open to the public, takes place Aug. 4th from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and on Aug. 5 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The following is a schedule of events:

August 4:

  • 9 a.m.: Frontier military reenactors will raise the colors during a special ceremony.
  • 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Reenactors and living historians from throughout Wyoming will perform demonstrations of pioneer life. Ride in a restored 1866 military wagon used at Fort Fetterman, cheer on Pony Express reenactors, or push a fully-loaded Mormon handcart. Demonstrations include: traditional children’s games, frontier military, traditional panning for gold, whiskey tent, homestead life, and performances by a snake oil salesman.
  • 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Trails Center’s 10th Anniversary Quilt:
    Help the Casper Needle Guild and friends put the finishing touches on the Trails Center’s 10th anniversary quilt. The quilt will be constructed from blocks that would have been popular in the mid-to-late 1800s. The anniversary quilt will be donated to the Trails Center. The activity will take place in the Trails Center’s lobby.
  • 1 p.m.: NHTIC 10th Anniversary recognition program. A 20-minute program will take place in the Trails Center’s theater.
  • 1:30 p.m.: Taking the Path Less Traveled: A Modern Day Pioneer on Our Historic Trails:
    April Whitten can relate to the experiences of emigrants on our historic trails like few others. In 1999, she joined a wagon train and traveled from Nebraska to California, walking most of the way. Her responsibilities included gathering terrain, location, weather and environmental data, and documenting her journey through journals and photographs. During her travels, she maintained detailed journals and took thousands of photographs. Whitten will present a one-hour program about her journey. She will also discuss the importance of protecting and preserving the remaining traces of historic trails. Following a break, participants will be encouraged to ask this modern-day pioneer questions about her adventure. The program will take place in the Trails Center’s theater.
  • 3 p.m.: Pioneer music, featuring Ana, Rachel and Friends
    Clap your hands and tap your feet as local musicians perform traditional music of the pioneer era.
  • 6 p.m.: Outdoor concert featuring “Buffalo Bill” Boycott
    “Buffalo Bill Boycott,” from Lander, is an award-winning singer and yodeler. He will perform traditional tunes and original songs about the West, the Oregon Trail, and Wyoming. Bullwhip Catering will provide a concession stand for BBQ. Bring lawn chairs.
  • 7 p.m.: Outdoor concert featuring Jalan Crossland
    Jalan Crossland will spin yarns and paint portraits of the lives and people of the rural Rocky Mountain West. Crossland is an award-winning guitarist and a banjo virtuoso. He has performed throughout the United States. Bring lawn chairs.

August 5:

  • 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Reenactors and living historians from throughout Wyoming will perform demonstrations of pioneer life. Ride in a restored 1866 military wagon used at Fort Fetterman, cheer on Pony Express reenactors, or push a fully-loaded Mormon handcart. Demonstrations include: traditional children’s games, frontier military, whiskey tent, homestead life, and performances by a snake oil salesman.
  • 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Trails Center’s 10th Anniversary Quilt
    Help the Casper Needle Guild and friends put the finishing touches on the Trails Center’s 10th anniversary quilt. The quilt will be constructed from blocks that would have been popular in the mid-to-late 1800s. The anniversary quilt will be donated to the Trails Center. The activity will take place in the Trails Center’s lobby.

For more information, please contact Alex Rose at (307) 261-7780

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