January
Ice Fishing Derby
Description: Prove your skills at Saratoga Lake in Saratoga, Wyoming while competing for over
$6000.00 in cash and prizes. Keep your eyes open for the bounty fish, a fish with a pink tag
behind the dorsal fin—the first bounty fish to be caught during the derby is worth $500!
Registration is $30 for adults and $10 for Small Fray (under 14). You may register at local
businesses that sell fishing licenses. You may also register at the Chamber office located at 106
N First Street Saratoga, WY.
The Annual Ice Fishing Derby is held at Saratoga Lake the third weekend
of January every year
For more information: Website
February
Donald E. Erickson Memorial Chariot Races
The Chariot races are one of the more exciting events in Saratoga. It is a join event sponsored
by the Saratoga Lions Club and the Saratoga Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce. The races
feature two-horse teams pulling chariots at top speed down a quarter-mile track. The weekend's
activities include Calcutta betting on Friday night at the Hotel Wolf and Saturday night after
the prime rib banquet at Fireman's Hall. Bets are also taken before each race! Races are held at
Buck Spring Rodeo Grounds, just 2 miles east of Saratoga. Post time is 1:00 pm on Saturday
and 11:00 am on Sunday. Get ready for hooves and hearts to pound!
This event is held annually on the weekend before President's Day
June
Kids Fishing Day
Located at the Saratoga Inn. This event is free for kids. Enjoy barbeques, fishing
events and lots of prizes.
Festival of Birds
Our Birders Float Trip will take floaters within view of bald eagle nesting sites while leaving the
birds undisturbed. The trip will go from Treasure Island to Veteran’s Island with opportunities
to see dozens of other species in route on one of the prettiest stretches of river everywhere.
For more experienced birders, you can enjoy a Mountain Birding Trip guided by local experts
and members of the Audubon Society. You will be sure to see Mountain Bluebirds, Sage
Thrashers, or a Rosy Finch. Steve Loose, from the US Forest Service will entertain us again
with a lively presentation at the Medicine Bow Lodge after the dinner buffet. On Sunday
morning, enjoy a nice hike on the “Bluebird Trail” or the “Cedar Canyon Trail” to see
entirely new habitat areas. Afterwards, enjoy a hearty breakfast buffet at Veteran’s Island,
where the Species Count Contest winner will be announced! For more information and
to register, call Frances at (307) 326-8073. The birding club "Wings Over Carbon County"
is the sponsor of this event.
July
Outdoor Concerts Series
Musical artists perform at the Outdoor Concert Series throughout July at the Saratoga
Museum Pavilion. For more information contact the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce or the
Saratoga Museum.
Platte Valley Festival of the Arts - held the first full weekend in July
Sponsored by the Platte Valley Arts Council, this 17th annual arts festival features the talents
of the region's top artists and crafter's in a juried art show and invitational craft show.
Activities also include various musical performances, cowboy poetry and storytelling, a
barbecue, Artist Quick Draw and auction, Independence Day parade, "Wild West Shoot-out",
a Children's Art Show, fireworks and a general all-around good time. Always held the first full
weekend in July in Saratoga, WY. For more information see www.plattevalleyarts.com or email
plattevalleyarts@yahoo.com
Independence Day - first full weekend in July
These events are held in conjunction with the Platte Valley Festival of the Arts held the first full
weekend in July. Join the gang together and enter a float in the old-fashioned parade complete
with patriotic music, candy, and lots of fun! At high-noon, pull up a curb seat in front of the
historic hotel downtown to watch the Wild West shoot-out. This short, humorous, melodrama
is complete with villains, heroes, saloon gals, and a village idiot or two and fun for the whole
family! Fireworks will be displayed in Saratoga at the "Old Baldy Club", Encampment at the
John McClure Memorial Ball Field, and at the Flying Diamond Ranch between Saratoga and
Encampment. All fireworks will begin at dusk. Parade: July 4 at 11:00 a.m. Shoot-Out: July 4
at high noon in front of the Hotel Wolf
July 25-26, 2008
Platte River Rodeo Association WRA Rodeo
A great two-day amateur rodeo featuring your favorite events: barrel racing, bronc riding, team
roping, steer wrestling and of course, bull riding, Activities for the kids include mutton bustin'
and steer riding. Held Friday and Saturday nights at the Buck Springs Rodeo grounds near
Saratoga, WY. This is the 10th anniversary of a great family event.
Call (307) 326-8825 for more information.
Saratoga Fun Fest
The ducks have run amuck! A full Saturday of activities include Crazy Daze bargains from
downtown merchants, the infamous Rubber Duck Races down the Hugus-Mullison irrigation
ditch, the Platte Valley Knights Car Show, carnival events such as face painting and a dunk
tank, plus the 5K fun walk/run known as the Toga Trot. Join the residents of Saratoga, WY
for one of the most unique weekends! For more information,
call Terri Hinkle 326-8825 for details.
Power at the Pavilion
Do you enjoy great music? Then be sure to attend Power at the Pavilion at the Saratoga
Museum Pavilion grounds. Various musical artists from the region as well as popular
artists entertain the crowd with gospel and contemporary Christian music.
For more information and schedule, please call (307) 326-5520.
August
Street Dance and Concert held in August
This free open air concert in the heart of downtown Saratoga, WY is sure to get your heart
pumping. Past performers include Janie Fricke, Bobby Bare, Gene Watson and Annie & Amy.
Enjoy the sounds, bring your lawn chairs, your family and make a great evening of it!
Official State Microbrewery Competition,
“Taste of the West” and Saratoga Bullfest
These events are held on Veterans Island in Saratoga and at Buck Springs outside town.
The 11th annual microbrew competition brings together the top professional microbreweries
in Wyoming in search of the coveted Saratoga Steinley Cup and is Wyoming’s official state
microbrewery competition. Live music and great eats complete the event. The “Taste of the
West” features the best in area cooks showcasing their specialties. Make a weekend of it,
with the 8TH Annual Saratoga Bullfest, a bull riders only event at Buck Springs. Calcutta
betting is held on Friday and the Bullfest is Saturday night.
Held on the 3rd full weekend of August.
September
Historical Trek held in September
This annual event is sponsored by the Saratoga Historical and Cultural Association.
Past treks included historical ranches, the Platte River crossing of the Overland Trail, gold
and silver mining camps, cemeteries and cabins. Reservations are required, so call the
Saratoga Museum at (307) 326-5511 or see their website www.saratoga-museum.org.
October
Halloween Walk, Haunted House October 31
and other scary activities to be announced. Held in downtown Saratoga, WY.
December
Christmas Parade and Winter Wonderland
December 1-2
Enjoy the spirit of the season with a parade showcasing floats entered by area clubs
and businesses--all decorated and lit for the evening and held in historic downtown Saratoga,
WY. Santa and Mrs. Claus visit children of all ages at Veteran's Island for the Soroptimist
International's "Winter Wonderland", Don’t forget to take in the Festival of Trees and Auction.
Local organizations and businesses decorate artificial trees that you will be able to take home
and enjoy the entire season. Reverse Drawing tickets (if your ticket is drawn LAST--you win
the $1000 shopping spree!) are on sale all month. The "giving tree" is for those who willingly
share with others and captures the true meaning of Christmas. |
