Jackson Hole Old West Days Celebration Returns to the Town Known as the Last of the Old West for Memorial Day Weekend
Jackson Hole, Wyo. (PRWEB) April 08, 2015 -- Commonly referred to as “The Last of the Old West,” Jackson Hole, Wyo., plays up its Western heritage each May with a four-day Old West Days celebration. Jackson’s latest installment, the 34th annual Old West Days, is set to take place over Memorial Day weekend, May 22 - 25, 2015, with visitors from all over the country enjoying a roundup of exciting Wild West events, including live music, theatrical entertainment, arts and crafts, delicious food and drink and the rodeo. From a chuckwagon dinner with cowboy songs to a craft beer fest to mountain men competing with the ancient spear-throwing technology of the atlatl, Old West Days offers a wide variety of experiential travel activities that are fun for families and open to all, making it a great road trip for the long weekend.
“While Jackson has become a world-class resort town known for its sophisticated cultural attractions, cuisine, and proximity to outdoor adventure and national parks, it remains an authentically Western town as well, with an ongoing ranching tradition and a rich history that dates back to its early days as a trading center for mountain men,” says Maureen Murphy, director of special events for the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce. “Old West Days is a fun opportunity for locals and visitors alike to experience our Wild West side – including more recent updates such as the craft beer fest.”
The Mountain Man Rendezvous and Traders’ Row are the backbone of Old West Days, running for the whole four days at the Teton County Fairgrounds and including such favorites as the Candy Cannon, as well as bow and arrow, hawk and knife and atlatl competitions among the costumed mountain men. Visitors can further step back into the past with a free walking tour sponsored by the Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum that will stroll the wooden sidewalks of the historic downtown pointing out significant sites and buildings.
Food and drink-related events include the Bar J Western-style chuckwagon dinner and cowboy entertainment on Friday, May 22. Also on Friday, the Jackson Hole Rotary Wine Fest at Snow King Resort features tastings from more than 100 wineries and a food court. And on Saturday, Jackson’s Town Square turns into the Old West Brew Fest, where attendees can sample craft beer from more than a dozen area breweries.
On Saturday morning, the annual Old West Days Parade returns to Jackson Hole’s Town Square – one of the West’s last true horse-drawn parades with mountain men, vintage vehicles, covered wagons, and a legendary gathering of gunslingers. A live Jackson Hole Shootout dramatization takes place that evening along with a Shootout Gang Street Dance on the Jackson Town Square and the Jackson Hole Rodeo at the Teton County Fairgrounds. Sunday offers a special Wyoming Cowboy Church service in a tent and Monday events include the American Legion Memorial Service. Visit http://www.jacksonholechamber.com/old_west_days/ for the full Old West Days calendar of events.
Conveniently located just 20 minutes from the Jackson Hole Airport, Jackson, Wyo., is served by major airlines including Delta, United, American and SkyWest. Reservation information for Jackson’s numerous hotels and schedules for events and activities year-round may be found at http://www.jacksonholechamber.com. For additional information, contact Maureen Murphy at Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce, 307.733.3316.
Media Contact: Amy Stark, WordenGroup Strategic Public Relations, amy(at)wordenpr(dot).com, 307.734.5335
Darla Worden, WordenGroup, http://www.wordenpr.com, +1 303.777.7667, [email protected]
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