Spectators and participants alike will find something to their liking in this event-packed week, June 24-28, of authentic Western events, similar to when Buffalo Bill was in residence in Sheridan, Wyoming.

 

Participating in Buffalo Bill Days is like stepping back into a Western Brigadoon where time has stopped and the past is vivid and alive.  Sheridan Wyoming, voted the #1 Western Town in the U.S. by True West Magazine, was home to Buffalo Bill, who leased the Sheridan Inn and took up residence there in 1893.  Here he was known for entertaining dignitaries from around the world, as well as auditioning and hiring his Wild West Show performers from the front porch of the hotel.

The festival’s main attraction is held Saturday evening at 7:00 pm at the Sheridan Fair Grounds bringing to life Buffalo Bill’s Original Wild West Show.  Hold onto your hat for the trick ropers and Roman Riders.  And watch in amazement at the precision and mastery of the Westernaires, who make synchronized horse riding look easy.   The grand entry parade, lead by Buffalo Bill into the arena, is not to be missed.   Accompanying music, performed by the New Sheridan Cornet Band, will play authentic period tunes from the time of Buffalo Bill’s Cowboy Band.

A host of events, depicting Wyoming in the late-1800s, pack the week.  For the first time ever, Buffalo Bill Days kicks off beginning Tuesday night with the Wild West Serenade and Prairie Picnic with free Bluegrass music on the Inn’s lawn.  A Living History Family Night has also been added to the week’s festivities and is scheduled for Wednesday evening.  Beginning at 5 PM you’ll be able to get a glimpse into history and try your hand at churning butter, participate in a pie eating contest, or observe demonstrations of the lifestyles, weapons and tools of the frontier infantry and cavalry.

Thursday through Saturday features yet another new event for 2008 – the Cowboy Mounted Shooters and the Super Horse Competition!  Be sure to take in the events daily at the Sheridan County Fairgrounds, starting at 2.00 pm Thursday. Who knows, you may even run into Buffalo Bill, Annie Oakley or Calamity Jane . . .   And don’t miss the Showcase for the Cowboy Mounted Shooters at 5.00 pm on Saturday.

The celebration continues on Friday night at 7:00 p.m. with an 1890′s-period Grand Victorian Ball. Participants dress up in period attire and dance the jigs of the late 1800′s (dance lessons earlier in the week are included in the ticket price; Victorian garb for both the ladies and gents are available for rent from the local haberdasheries.)

Early Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m., if you can get up after all of that two-stepping the night before, Mosey on out to Wyarno Wy. and hail the start of the Pony Express reenactment as horse and rider sprint off on the first leg of this historic ride en-route to Sheridan.  Spectators will be on hand at 9:00 a.m. as the final rider and horse is anticipated to arrive in Sheridan at the Sheridan Inn with mail in hand to be delivered to Buffalo Bill and the Sheridan Post Master.

The Pony Express reenactment is followed by an old fashion Western-style parade down Sheridan’s Main Street starting at 10:00 a.m., which swings its way back to the Sheridan Inn just in time for the annual Chuck Wagon lunch that starts at 11:30 a.m…  The public is invited to partake in good grub and to help celebrate the Historic Sheridan Inn’s 115th anniversary.

This year events are held at the Sheridan County Fairgrounds as well as the Sheridan Inn even as the Inn undergoes a comprehensive restoration project, including the exciting restoration of the second and third floor into 22 hotel suites, unused for over forty years.

For ticket information and more details on the Buffalo Bill Days and Wild West Show, go to www.buffalobilldays.org .  For accommodations and other activities in and around the Sheridan area, go to www.sheridanwyoming.org .