A Splash of Fun

Mike Moore photo
Oakley Lamb (from left to right), Jayden Pittsley, and Francisco Fernandez navigate frigid water being sprayed from a passing float as they fill their bags with candy during the Deer Creek Days parade June 22.

By: 
Mike Moore mike@glenrockind.com

When organizers opted to make a massive change to Deer Creek Days by moving the date from the third weekend in August to the third one in June, it was a big risk.
Folks had become accustomed to the late summer dates, and when the decision was made in January of this year, the choice gave them two fewer months to prepare.
Various reasons, including moving away from sharing the weekend with nearby attractions such as the Beartrap Summer Festival in Casper and attracting people early in the summer when they still have money in their pockets were two major factors with the date change.
So, with less time to get it all pulled together for the first year with a new date, Deer Creek Days roared into town last weekend with a long list of new offerings in attempt to revitalize town’s biggest event of the year to its former glory.
So, how did it go?
According to Glenrock Chamber of Commerce Director Kristy Grant, things went well for the most part, although wet weather did put a damper on a few events scheduled for Sunday morning.
“I would gauge it very successful because of the changes and moving the date forward,” Grant explained. “We had a very good turnout for our major events.”
Ranch Rodeo organizer Jim Schell noted this year saw the best attendance in the event’s history.
Grant says the craft fair’s rise in success is directly related to the new date change, as the early summer window allowed them to make it to Glenrock this year.
“(Vendors) were very thrilled with sales and the overall experience,” Grant said.
In attempt to offer more options for attendees, new additions including bounce houses benefitting local American Legion baseball, and smash ball gave the Rec Center park more kid-friendly options downtown, while the Hope Center had a series of games on tap at the town park, where 40 vendors were also selling their wares.
The parade had 45 entries this year, with the best float going to Glenrock Baptist Church, while best theme went to Pony Express riders.
Over at South Rec, Weston Allen won the short round of the mutton bustin’ competition, while Layton Single took top honors for the long round.
Events, including the ice cream social, Lions Club cookout, vendor fair and the newly added brewfest brought live music, something that previously hadn’t been done to enrich the overall experience. Attendees also complimented Grant on the shuttle rides between the town park and downtown to make getting around to see all things Deer Creek Days a little more convenient.
With less time to get the weekend event ready this year, Grant is hopeful for what they will be able to do next year with a full year to plan.
“We’re really happy with the date change,” she said. “The issue this year with Deer Creek Days was having seven less weeks to do it.”
With a full year and strong direction ahead of organizers, Grant is hopeful they can turn Deer Creek Days around in a big way down the line.
“New people stepped forward and took on projects with gusto and made a big difference,” she said of this year’s planning. “We want to build up on it and grow it further.”

Category:

Glenrock Independent

Physical Address:506 W. Birch, Glenrock, WY 82637 Mailing Address: PO Box 109, Douglas, WY 82633 Phone: (307) 436-2211

The Glenrock Independent is located in the Bronco Building

Office hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday - 10:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday - 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Subscriber Login