Byron to celebrate ‘Stronger Together’ next week

There will be a few new wrinkles in the offing as the North Big Horn County summer festival season continues next week, July 11-12, with the annual Byron Days celebration.

According to committee chairwoman Rebecca Bates, the 2025 celebration will bear the theme Stronger Together representing a community coming together in the wake of the shootings that claimed the lives of four young girls and their mother in February.

“This is in light of the sadness at the beginning of the year and trying to pull together as a community,” Bates said.

As part of this year’s event, a sign will be unveiled at Riverview Park on Friday, July 11, at noon in memory of sisters Brailey and Olivia Blackmer and Jordan and Brooke Harshman.

Bates said there are a few other additions and changes to the Byron Days festivities this year.

“We’re bringing back the teen dance,” she said, adding that several volunteers are needed to serve as chaperones. The dance will run from 8 to 11 p.m. at Jones Park featuring the music of Michael Bernard and Chris Bickford of My Custom DJ.

The teen dance replaces the Family Dance on the schedule.

The evening will begin Friday with a Family Fun Night from 5 to 7 p.m. at Jones Park (formerly called the Family Carnival) featuring booths, games, inflatables, water slides, face painting, a photo booth, cake walk and more. Admission is $2. Sara Davidson is in charge.

Last year’s food truck war is no more, but there will be plenty of food trucks on site Friday evening and all-day Saturday, starting at 5 p.m. Friday. Bates anticipates that 15 food trucks from around the area will be on hand.

Saturday schedule

The annual fun run will kick off the Saturday events at 7 a.m., sponsored by Club Dauntless. There is no entry fee, and runners can simply register at the starting and finish line at Jones Park. Both a one mile and a 5K race will be offered heading north on Road 5 out of Byron. Brandon and Serena Hessenthaler are the organizers. Registration begins at 6:30 a.m.

The Byron Days Parade will follow at 10 a.m. with lineup at the east end of town on Mountain View Avenue. Those wishing to enter the parade may do so on the town website, byronwyoming.org, or call Gilbert Cordova at 307-272-8788.

Dwain and Harriet Jackson are this year’s parade marshals.

Following the parade, Jones Park will come alive with the annual marketplace starting at 11 a.m. featuring numerous vendors plus the food trucks from the night before.

Those wishing to set up in the park may fill out an application on the town website or call Bates (272-6645) or Byron Town Hall (548-7490).

Also starting at 11 a.m. will be the annual co-ed volleyball tournament and the cornhole tournament. Natalie Collins is again in charge of the volleyball tournament, and the registration fee is $60 for a six-person team. Teams may register online or call Collins at 307-760-1557.

The cornhole tournament is being organized once again by the Powell American Legion post. For information or to sign up, call Greg Bessler at 307-254-2837.

Numerous activities for kids in the park will be offered including inflatables, water slides, games and more. New this year, the Wyoming Department of Transportation will be on hand to promote bike safety Saturday and will be giving away 50 bike helmets during the day. Recipients will be able to decorate their helmet at the park.

A classic car show will be held Saturday on North Center Street near Jones Park, starting at 11 a.m., and those wishing to participate may simply show up or call Bates.

The annual Byron High School alumni gathering is also planned for July 12 at Town Hall with registration at 5 p.m., followed by a dinner and program. The museum will be open during the evening.

Live music performed by the band The Tinderwoods will begin at 8 p.m. in the park, and the annual Byron Days fireworks will light up the sky at 10 p.m. on the baseball field choreographed by Caleb and Joshua Sanders and their hobbyist group Pyro Up Wyoming. A 24x24-foot square for VIP seating may be reserved for $100 on the town website or by calling town hall at 548-7490.