By David Peck
Lovell and Byron have had their festivals, and now it’s Cowley’s turn to celebrate.
Cowley’s annual Pioneer Day celebration is scheduled for today (Thursday) through Saturday, July 24-26, and the community will celebrate to the theme of “Home is where the heart is.”
The celebration will begin tonight with the fifth annual Pioneer Memorial Scholarship Pageant at 7:30 p.m. at the Hyart Theatre in Lovell. Admission is $5.
Scholarships presented in honor of Cowley pioneers will be awarded to pageant participants.
Contestants this year are Cassie Brost, Marianne Emmett, Melissa Jackson, Heather Monk, Danielle Peck and Amanda Wocicki.
The celebration ramps up a bit on Friday, July 25, with the ninth annual Pioneer Day Golf Tournament at the Foster Gulch Golf Course. Three-person teams are asked to check in at 9 a.m., with tee-off at 9:30. There will be a $20 entry fee, plus green fees, and cash and flag prizes will be offered. Call the golf course to sign up at 548-2445 or Rod Winland for more information at 548-7039.
Next up on Friday will be the seventh annual Pioneer Day Trap Shoot at the Lovell Shooting Range on Wyoming Highway 37 northeast of Lovell. Shooting begins at 6 p.m., and there is a $12 fee for 50 targets. Call John Wilson at 548-6397 for more information.
Capping the Friday activities will be an ice cream social from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Cowley Town Park.
Busy Saturday
A very busy Saturday schedule will begin at 7 a.m. with the annual Pioneer Day Fun Run and Bike Races.
Registration is at 6:30 a.m. on Main Street in Cowley.
The event includes a one-mile run, a 5-kilometer run, a 5K bike race, and a 7.6-mile Cannery Road bike loop race. Wheelchair racers are welcome, and helmets are required for bike racers. Call Schuyler Hinckley at 548-2823 for more information.
The Pioneer Day parades begin at 9:30 a.m. with the Kiddie Parade. Participants may line up at Town Hall on Main Street at 9:15. No pre-entry is required, but entrants must wear a costume or decorate a bike. No motorized vehicles will be allowed.
The main parade follows at 10 a.m. with lineup at 9 a.m. on the west end of town near the town shops. To enter, or for more information, call Janeen Blackburn at 548-6186 or Casey Crosby at 272-3346.
John and Sylvia Gams are this year’s Pioneer Day Parade Marshals.
The Pioneer Heritage Program will follow the parade at 11 a.m. at the LDS Church.
The big afternoon in the park begins with a barbecue lunch at noon, with kids games following. The barbecue will benefit the Senior League Baseball teams, and prices are $5 for a barbecue sandwich and $3 for a hot dog.
The volleyball tournament will coincide with the kids games. There is a $15 entry fee for each team. Call Chris Crosby at 272-3712 for more information and to enter.
Baseball fans will head to the new Cowley American Legion/Babe Ruth field for a doubleheader featuring the Lovell/North Big Horn Mustangs against the “Worlander” combined Worland and Lander team at 1 p.m. The new baseball field will be dedicated between games at around 2:30 to 3 p.m.
The Pioneer Day Rodeo will begin at 2 p.m. at the Cowley Rodeo Grounds.
Horseshoe pitching will begin at 6 p.m. at the Cowley Town Park. There is a $5 entry fee. For more information call ElRay Bridges at 548-9661.
The annual Night Program variety show will begin at 7 p.m. at the Cowley Log Gym. Those wishing to perform may contact Peggy Rasmussen at 548-6698 or Lila Steed at 548-6632.
The celebration will wrap up with the Pioneer Day Dance featuring the Rewinders at the Cowley Town Park at 9 p.m. |