2012

"Salt of the Red Earth: A Century of Wit and Wisdom from Oklahoma's Elders"

Art Exhibit by MJ Alexander

"Calendars of Carbon County 1850s-1990s"

Exhibit at Carbon County Museum

Highlights include leather-bound diary-style planners dating to the 1850s, New Years postcards spanning the 20th century, and 1940s pin-up calendars.  Exhibit shown Tuesday through Saturday, 1-5 pm.  Opening reception on Friday, January 20, 5-8 pm.  Refreshments will be served at the reception.  Please call the Carbon County Museum for more information 307-328-2740.

CCEDC Information Fair

Preparing for the Medicine Bow Fuel & Power Industrial Gasification & Liquefaction Facility

Information booths will be set up to learn about various programs available through state agencies on starting up a business, housing programs and other business resources.  Agencies represented will be Wyoming Business Council, USDA, Smart Capital Network, Wyoming Small Business Development Center, and Wyoming Housing Network, Inc.  You can come and go anytime from 1:30 to 4 pm at Medicine Bow Community Hall.  For more information, please call 307-324-3836 or email info@ccywed.net.  Sponsored by Carbon County Economic Development Corporation. 

Valentine Celebration at Historic Elk Mountain Hotel

Make this St. Valentine's Day one to remember.  Join Chef Susan Havers at the Historic Elk Mountain Hotel for an extraordinary gourmet meal prepared for you and your loved one.  Held Friday and Saturday from 6 pm, Sunday from noon until 2 pm, and Valentine's Day from 6 pm.  Reservation only, so please call today to make yours 307-348-7774.

College Goal Sunday

$2500 in scholarships being given away!  This statewide program is designed to help high school seniors and their parents as well as first-time college students complete the FAFSA form.  Students are encouraged to attend with a parent.  Please bring the parents' and student's estimated or completed 2010 1040 tax return, W-2 forms, or other income and benefits information.  Free to the public.  Held 2-4 pm, come and go, at Carbon County Higher Education Center Main Campus in Rawlins.  Sponsored by CCHEC.

From the Brink of Extinction: The Black-Footed Ferret Story

Part of the Wyoming Historical Society and international award-winning Power of Place series.  Free to the public.  Held 7-8:30 pm at Carbon County Higher Education Center Main Campus in Rawlins.  Sponsored by CCHEC.

Brush Creek Presents

Don E. Erickson Memorial Chariot Races

Held every Presidents Day Weekend, the 32nd annual Chariot Races are among the most exciting events in Saratoga.  It is a joint event sponsored by the Saratoga Lions Club and the 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 and a banquet.  Races are held on Saturday and Sunday at Buck Springs Rodeo Arena.  Get ready for hooves and hearts to pound!  Please call the Chamber of Commerce 307-326-8855 for more info.

Upper Platte Valley Search and Rescue/Ben Romios Memorial Poker Run

Poker run fun is here for this event held annually on the Sunday of Presidents Day weekend!  Registration 9 am-12 noon at the upper snowmobile parking lot on Hwy 70 past Encampment.  Participants can ride snow machines on the groomed snow machine trails or ski or snowshoe a course on the ski trails.  You can also just drive up to the lot and buy a poker hand in support of the event.  A barbeque will be held, and the price is included in the purchase of the poker hand at $10 each.  A number of door prizes will be awarded to those that attend.  Proceeds to benefit the Upper Platte Valley Search and Rescue and the Ben Romios Memorial Scholarship.  For more info, please call Cory Nuhn 307-329-7055.

Wyoming Game and Fish Public Meeting

BLM/Wyoming Honor Farm Wild Horse

Part of the Wyoming Historical Society and international award-winning Power of Place series.  Free to the public.  Held 7-8:30 pm at Carbon County Higher Education Center Main Campus in Rawlins.  Sponsored by CCHEC.

Scandinavian Menu at Historic Elk Mountain Hotel

Chef Susan Havers is presenting a Scandinavian feast.  Price is $25 to include marinated herring taster, Finnish sauerkraut soup, apricot prune and pork loin with fingerling potatoes, red cabbage, or salmon with creamy dill sauce, and blueberry soufflé for dessert.  Reservation only, so please call today to make yours 307-348-7774.

Avalanche Awareness, Avoidance, and Rescue Class

Instructor Mike Duffy will present a comprehensive course on avalanches, including statistics and contributing factors, signs of instability and stability analysis, equipment, what to carry, fast and effective single and multiple burial searches, and much more.  Class is $40.  Held 6-10 pm at Saratoga Resort & Spa.  Please register by February 18 by calling Cassie 307-326-9101 or emailing cpeterson@saratogaresortandspa.com.  Presented by Saratoga Resort & Spa. 

"Inspiring Quality Customer Service" Customer Service Training

Provides employees with tools to positively impact the work culture, addressing both internal and external customer service.  Teaches skills for increasing communication flow, building stronger teams, and increasing capacity for problem solving in a variety of situations.  Cost $30; preregistration required by calling 307-328-9274.  Held 8:30 am-12 noon at Carbon County Higher Education Center Vocational Campus in Rawlins.  Sponsored by CCHEC.

Hybridization of Birds

Part of the Wyoming Historical Society and international award-winning Power of Place series.  Free to the public.  Held 7-8:30 pm at Carbon County Higher Education Center Main Campus in Rawlins.  Sponsored by CCHEC.

Men of Worth Concert

"Wyoming Places" at Saratoga Library

Venice Beske, Special Projects Librarian for the Wyoming State Library, discusses specific place names in Wyoming, relating their sources to archaeology, biology, folklore, geography, geology, history, or language.  Held 7-9 pm at Saratoga Library.  Free and open to the public.  Please call the Library for more info 307-326-8209.  Sponsored by the Friends of the Saratoga Library in conjunction with the Wyoming Humanities Council.

Brush Creek Presents

Forest Film Festival

PVCC and the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Office will present an evening film festival celebrating World Forest Day.  Documentaries and short films will be shown that raise awareness of the importance of forests and inspire a sense of personal responsibility for a sustainable future.  Please check with PVCC for actual time of event 307-326-7822 or visit www.pvcenter.org.  Free admission.   

Murder Mystery Weekend at Historic Elk Mountain Hotel

The murder mystery takes place in England 1920 in a country house called Poetic Justice.  Dinner will be themed, and guests will be informed in advance what part they are to play so that guests can prepare their costumes.  The Hotel will supply any additional props.  Fancy dress recommended.  Weekend includes briefing, dinner Friday, breakfast, dinner, and participation Saturday night, and breakfast prior to Sunday departure.  Cost $220.  Reservation only, so please call today to make yours 307-348-7774.

Scottish Menu at Historic Elk Mountain Hotel

Chef Susan Havers is presenting a Scottish meal to savour.  Price is $25 to include smoked salmon taster, cock-a-leekie soup, Beef Collops with horseradish sauce, mashed potatoes, and turnips or oatmeal-coated trout with lemon herb butter and fingerling potatoes.  Dessert is heather honey ice cream with mocha shortbread.  Reservation only, so please call today to make yours 307-348-7774.

Platte Valley Open Pool Tournament

Enter this 5th annual tournament as a Sportsman, Classic or Master, and watch pro-players such as Rodney Morris and Frank Alvarez show their stuff.  Silent calcutta betting on Friday and Saturday nights. All events held at the Platte Valley Community Center and sponsored by the Saratoga Lions Club and CCVC.  For more information, please call 307-329-8924 or email ejglode@yahoo.com.

Easter Sunday Lunch at Historic Elk Mountain Hotel

Reservation only, so please call today to make yours 307-348-7774.

April 18-19

Blood Draw

Sponsored by Valley Service Organization.  Held at PVCC.

Brush Creek Presents

April 20

Saratoga Museum Annual Dinner and Meeting

Saratoga High School Prom

Held at PVCC.

April 28

Platte Valley Trout Unlimited Banquet

Groucho Marx Evening at Historic Elk Mountain Hotel

Join the fun where the men dress like Groucho Marx and the ladies - well, they just dress to kill!  Prize for the best dressed, and anyone who wants to impersonated and participate in a talent show will have the chance to show off.  Dinner will be themed accordingly.  Price is $45, with overnight stays extra.  Includes cocktail and canapé, sweet corn and cipollini onion soup, house salad, pecan chicken with bourbon molasses glaze or lollypop pork chop with buttery mashed potato.  For dessert - red velvet cake and champagne sorbet.  Reservation only, so please call today to make yours 307-348-7774.

Health Fair

Held 7 am-3 pm in PVCC Great Hall.  Please call PVCC for more info 307-326-7822.

Cinco de Mayo at Historic Elk Mountain Hotel

Chef Susan Havers is presenting a flavorful Cinco de Mayo dinner.  Price is $25 to include chips and salsa, cold avocado soup, fish tacos or molé poblano with chicken and mexican rice, finishing with churros with mocha dip.  Reservation only, so please call today to make yours 307-348-7774.

Puppeteer Hobey Ford at PVCC

The Saratoga HUB presents Hobey Ford, an internationally award-winning performer, Kennedy Center Partner in Education teaching artist, and recognized master puppeteer.  Ford has brought his amazing talent to family audiences all over the world for over two decades and has received the highest awards for his priceless contributions to the world of puppetry.  Please call PVCC 307-326-7822 for more information.

3rd Annual Community Rummage Sale

Held in PVCC Great Hall.  Please call PVCC for more info 307-326-7822.

Mothers Day Luncheon at Historic Elk Mountain Hotel

Celebrate Mothers Day in a truly special way by experiencing an extraordinary luncheon prepared by Chef Susan Havers.  Menu includes prime rib and salmon.  Reservation only, so please call today to make yours 307-348-7774.

Brush Creek Presents

3rd Annual Belgium Beer Pairing Dinner at Historic Elk Mountain Hotel

A truly exquisite treat, Chef Susan Havers is offering superb authentic Belgium cuisine and suggested beers from New Belgium Brewery that pair well with the dishes.  Reservation only, so please call today to make yours 307-348-7774.

6th Annual Tastes of Carbon County

You're invited to this popular fundraising event to benefit United Way of Carbon County.  More than a dozen area food vendors from all over Carbon County have unlimited samples and treats to share with you.  Family fun for all ages.  Advance tickets $8 or 2/$15 and at the door tickets $10.  Kids five and under are free.  Held 4-6 pm at the Jeffrey Center in Rawlins.  Please call Chris Blaize for more information 307-324-2454 or email chrisblaize@hotmail.com. 

Memorial Day Weekend  Feasting at Historic Elk Mountain Hotel

Chef Susan Havers invites you to enjoy "German Food Fest: Beyond Boiling and Beer."  Price is $30 and includes dark bread soup, house salad, fruit-stuffed pork loin with fingerling potatoes or buttered filet of trout, ending in the pièce de résistance - black forest cherry cake.  Reservation only, so please call today to make yours 307-348-7774.

June 8

Grand Encampment Museum After Hours Chamber Social

Mark your calendar now....details to follow!

Outdoor Movie Night in Encampment

Great family event with a movie and snacks.  Bring your chairs or blankets to the Grand Encampment Museum lawn.  Held 8:30 pm.  Sponsored by the Town of Encampment and the Grand Encampment Museum. 

Woodchoppers Jamboree and Rodeo

For this 52nd annual event, the chips fly during Father's Day weekend in Encampment as loggers come from all over the country to compete for the title of Rocky Mountain Champion Lumberjack.  Using power saws, axes and hand saws, men and women competitors cut down “trees”, chop logs and saw squared wood blocks in half, racing the clock for the fastest time.  Cowboys ride bulls and broncs.  This unique Wyoming event assures a good time will be had by all.  Sponsored by Encampment-Riverside Lions Club.  For general questions, please call Jim Johnson 307-710-5558.  For more info about the Jamboree, please call Ron Harvey 970-210-2955 or email woodchoppersjamboree@yahoo.com.  For more info about the Rodeo, please call Jerry Kraft 307-327-5374.

Bicycle Tours of Colorado

June 23

Carbon Power & Light Annual Meeting

Held at PVCC.

June 24

Glenn Miller Orchestra in Concert

Held 7 pm in PVCC Theater.  Tickets can be purchased online.  Please visit www.pvcenter.org for ticket sale information.

July 3

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in Concert

Held 7 pm in PVCC Theater.  Tickets can be purchased online.  Please visit www.pvcenter.org for ticket sale information.

Independence Day Celebration

An old-fashioned parade with vintage cars, silly costumes, fire trucks, and political candidates wanders through downtown Saratoga beginning at 11 am.  After the parade,  enjoy an afternoon of shopping, see artists and crafters displaying their talents, and eat some great food. The best part of the day begins at dusk with a fantastic fireworks display.  Fun for the entire family!

Blackhawk Gallery's Art in the Valley

Many excellent artists - paintings, bronzes, prints, furniture and lots more!  Held downtown on Bridge Street.  Please call Gwen 307-326-5063 for more info.

Outdoor Movie Night in Encampment

Great family event with a movie and snacks.  Bring your chairs or blankets to the Grand Encampment Museum lawn.  Held 8:30 pm.  Sponsored by the Town of Encampment and the Grand Encampment Museum. 

Grand Encampment Cowboy Gathering

This 10th annual event is held in Encampment on the third full weekend in July.  Families of all ages can come and enjoy an entertaining and action-packed weekend.  Dutch oven cook-off, stick horse rodeo, and cowboy jam sessions featuring artists and locals from the region.  Chuck wagon breakfast served on Sunday morning, and stay for Cowboy Church.  Please visit www.grandencampmentgathering.org or call Steve 307-327-5465.

Sierra Madre Muzzleloaders Mountain Man Rendezvous and Black Powder Shoot / Living History Days  Located on the Grand Encampment Museum grounds, local black powder enthusiasts recreate the days of the Mountain Men with primitive camping, authentic costuming, traders row, and black powder shoots and tomahawk throws.  Kids games will be held each day.  The museum will be presenting Living History reenactments and demonstrations.  For more info, please call Josh Saier 307-326-5503 or Joe Morrison 307-329-7944 or email dmorrison@union-tel.com.  Sponsored by the Town of Encampment.

Power at the Pavilion

An interdenominational Christian music gathering held each summer.  Friday evening, enjoy great gospel music by local talent from the Valley and special guests.  Saturday afternoon offers Christian contemporary and rock music.  Sunday morning holds a community church service with a free lunch following.  Held at Saratoga Museum Pavilion.  Please call Platte Valley Christian Center for more info 307-326-5520.

Platte River Rodeo Association Rodeo

The 16th annual, two-day amateur rodeo features your favorite events: barrel racing, bronc riding, team roping, steer wrestling and bull riding.  Activities for the kids include mutton bustin' and steer riding.  Held Friday and Saturday nights at the Buck Springs Rodeo Arena.  Please call Terri Hinkle for more information 307-326-8825.

Carbon County Fair in Rawlins

Pieces of History Quilt Show

You must see this wide assortment of beautiful quilts, both historic and new.  Sponsored by Saratoga Historical & Cultural Association and Carbon County Visitors Council.  Please call 307-326-5511 for more information.

Outdoor Movie Night in Encampment

Steinley Cup Microbrewery Competition and Saratoga Bullfest

The 17th annual microbrewery 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, including a chili cook-off, complete the event.  Make a weekend of it with the 12th annual Saratoga Bullfest, a bull riders-only event at Buck Springs Rodeo Arena.  For info on the Steinley Cup, please call the Chamber of Commerce.  For info on the Saratoga Bullfest, please call Bo 307-326-7991.

Wyoming Film Festival

You won’t want to miss this 5th annual festival.  Participate in screenings of new films, discussion groups, and workshops by the pros.  The Wyoming Film Festival aspires to present films and video productions that interpret the American West in ways that embrace the festival themes of environment, equality, and family. For more information or to purchase tickets, please call Carbon County Higher Education Center 307-328-9274.

Ryan Park Fundraiser

Talk about a great cause!  Live and silent auctions and lots of food, including home-smoked beef brisket and a terrific assortment of sides and salads, homemade pies and cupcakes.  Cost $6 adults, which includes food, drink and auction attendance, and $4 kids, which includes food and pop.  Under age 6 is free.  Doors open at 11 am at Ryan Park Firehouse, with lunch being served at noon and auction beginning at 2 pm.  Proceeds to benefit the Ryan Park Volunteers - Fire, EMS, Search and Rescue. Please come out and support these dedicated men and women!

Conquistadors Weekend

Copper Days Festival

Antique tractors on display, tractor pulls, and a parade make this 37th annual September event in Encampment a family favorite.  Sponsored in part by the Encampment Chug 'N Tug tractor club, this event is held the weekend after Labor Day at the Encampment-Riverside Lions Club Arena.

Wyoming State Historical Society Meeting

Platte Valley Community Center Annual Fundraiser

Halloween Walk

Held in downtown Saratoga, kids can trick-or-treat at local retail shops.  It’s convenient and safe for everyone!  Please call the Chamber of Commerce 307-326-8855 for more information.

Festival of the Trees Gala and Auction

This special 10th annual event is a terrific way to begin your holidays.  Local organizations, businesses and individuals donate decorated trees, wreaths, centerpieces, gift baskets and other holiday items for you to take home and enjoy the entire season.  Auction is Friday, December 2, with proceeds going to local charities and organizations.  Sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce.

Christmas Parade and Winter Wonderland

Enjoy the spirit of the season with the 22nd annual Christmas Parade showcasing floats entered by area clubs and businesses--all decorated and lit for the evening and held in historic downtown Saratoga.  Santa and Mrs. Claus visit children of all ages at Platte Valley Community Center for the Valley Service Organization’s 32nd annual "Winter Wonderland".  Cookies, hot chocolate, chili, hot dogs and more!  Please call the Chamber of Commerce 307-326-8855 for more information.

2013

Annual Dinner and Meeting   "Business of the Year" will be awarded along with "New Business of the Year" and "Organization of the Year".  The "Volunteer of the Year" will be given the Pam Lebeda Award a.k.a. the Chamber Pot.  Cocktails begin at 6 pm with dinner following.  For more information, please call the Chamber 307-326-8855.

Ice Fishing Derby

The 30th annual Ice Fishing Derby attracts ice anglers from several states to Saratoga Lake hoping to make “the catch of the day”!  Cash prizes will be awarded, including $2,000 cash for the largest game fish caught during the derby and $100 cash for the largest fish caught each hour.  The weekend (always the third in January) includes a special Small Fry Derby for children under age 14.  Sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce 307-326-8855.