Busy lineup

Action packed Pioneer Day celebration this weekend in Cowley

Following on the heels of Byron Days, the third of North Big Horn County’s summer festivals will take place in Cowley this weekend, July 17-18.

Liberty Bell to Sidon Canal is the theme of the 2026 Pioneer Day celebration, according to Pioneer Day board committee chairman Mitch Kinser, with just a few minor tweaks this year.

“We’ve kind of followed the same format for a number of years now, and this year is no different,” Kinser said.

According to Kinser, the celebration begins Friday evening with a Cornhole in the Park event along with Pickleball in the Log Gym. Each activity starts at 6 p.m.

Teams may sign up for cornhole on the Scoreholio app for $20 per team, and the pickleball event at the log gym is being run pickup style from 6 to 8 p.m. Participants may just show up and should bring their own paddles.

Food trucks will begin to gather Friday, Kinser said, and will be on hand Friday evening and Saturday. Kinser said 10 to 12 food trucks are expected.

“The Town of Cowley has installed power pedestals for vendors to plug into at the park,” Kinser said. “That’s a recent improvement we’re grateful for.”

Later that evening, a family music and kickoff gathering will be held at the park featuring the Cowley Boys. The Family Music event begins at 8 p.m. and continues until 10 p.m. Organizers are requesting that no alcohol be brought to the park.

The rodeo Calcutta will take place at the Bull Pub at 8 p.m.

A Teen Decades Dance will take place from 9 to 11:30 p.m. at the Cowley Community Center, sponsored by GK Construction. The dance is for teens age 14-18.

Saturday schedule

The Saturday Pioneer Day schedule begins with the fun run at 7 a.m. featuring both a 5K and a mile run. There is a $10 entry fee, with registration beginning at 6:30 a.m. on the church lawn. The race begins and ends on Main Street in front of the church.

Call Charlie Monk for more information at 307-272-3810.

The pancake breakfast will be held at the town park pavilion from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Tickets for the Pioneer Day fundraiser are $5 for adults and children. Pancakes, eggs, ham and juice will be offered.

“We started this a couple of years ago, and more and more people are participating,” Kinser said. “It’s a chance for people to come and visit.”

The Cowley Heritage Center and Museum will open at 9 a.m. and remain open until 4 p.m. Visitors can see new acquisitions, and a scavenger hunt activity will be offered. The former Cowley lockup cell will be offered as a photo op. For more information go to cowleymuseum.org on the internet.

In the same vein, a self-guided historic home tour will be offered throughout the day. Pick up a brochure and map at the Heritage Center (former town hall) to see the homes built between 1900 and 1910.

Parades are up next, with the kiddie parade at 9:30 a.m. Participants will line up at the heritage center at 9:15 a.m. No motorized vehicles will be allowed.

The main Pioneer Day Parade begins at 10 a.m. with lineup at 9 a.m. at the city and county shop buildings on the west edge of town. To enter, call Janeen Blackburn at 307-254-1332.

The annual Pioneer Heritage Program follows the parade at 11 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with word and music honoring the Cowley’s pioneer heritage. Everyone is invited.

Fun in the Park

The popular Fun in the Park event begins immediately after the parade featuring food and craft vendors until 5 p.m. and kids races in the park for ages 3 and up. Inflatables will open at noon and be offered until 5 p.m. with a $5 wristband for each child. A Super Jumper can be accessed for $1.

Interested food vendors may call Kinser to make arrangements at 307-388-9871. Craft vendors may call Stacey Tippetts at 562-243-9905.

The annual Pioneer Day volleyball tournament begins at noon in the park. The registration fee is $60 per team, and teams may be entered by calling Kay Townsend at 307-272-2971.

The Cowley pool will offer free swimming from 1 to 4 p.m.

The main Pioneer Day Rodeo begins at 2 p.m. Call the Cowley Riding Club at 307-254-9616 for information. The slack events precede the rodeo at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Tickets for the rodeo are $10 for attendees age 13 and up and $5 for kids 7-12. Kids 6 and under are free.

Saturday evening

The annual Pioneer Day Variety Show has moved to the Rocky Mountain Middle/High School Commons at 7 p.m. and includes a karaoke competition this year at $10 per entry. Call Ray Peterson to enter at 272-9705.

An ice cream social will follow the variety show at 8:30 p.m. at the RMMHS back patio. Fireworks will begin at dusk near the Rocky Mountain football field, choreographed by Caleb and Joshua Sanders and their hobbyist group Pyro Up Wyoming.

For more information on any Pioneer Day event, contact Kinser at 307-388-9871.