Mustang Days 2022 is here

By: 
David Peck

Mustang Days 2022 is here – at least the first weekend.

The celebration under the theme “Remember” will take place over the next week and a half, featuring nostalgia and respect. 

“We’ll remember those who came before us, who made our community what it is, and our servicemen,” committee chair Darece Grant said.

The celebration begins this Friday, June 17, with the Drag Main event, which became popular during the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to get people out of the house in a safe way.

Beginning at 8 p.m., the Drag Main event will feature classic cars, roadsters and others, Grant said, adding, “We’ll also promote people going out to eat and supporting local restaurants and food trucks.”

“All rigs are welcome,” event coordinator Ken Grant said, “restorations, farm tractors, soccer mom mobiles, drag racers, side by sides, convertibles, etc.”

A triathlon will return to the community on Saturday, June 18, sponsored by Lovell Recreation and BOCES. The event begins at 8 a.m. at the Lovell swimming pool with swimming, a bicycle route and a running leg (see related story). For more information, contact Ashley Hoffmann at Lovell Recreation, 307-548-6466 or 307-254-7461.

The annual demolition derby sponsored by Big Horn County Search and Rescue will take place at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Lovell Rodeo Grounds (see related story). Tickets are $10 each.

Monday, June 20, will bring the Lovell Rod and Gun Club Trap Shoot beginning at 5:30 p.m. The $30 entry fee includes a meal, and non-participants may purchase a meal for $3. Registration begins at 4 p.m.

Tuesday, June 21, will feature a cornhole tournament at Great Western Park, sponsored by KB Hardware and Lumber. The cost is $20 per team, and tossing begins at 6 p.m. Call or text Kade Baxendale at 307-272-5620 to register a team or obtain more information.

As always, the Mustang Follies will take place Wednesday and Thursday, June 22 and 23, at the Hyart Theatre. The fun begins with the Dollies of the Follies and the Mustang Band on the street in front of the theater at 7 p.m., followed by the show at 8 p.m. inside the theater. A variety of acts will trace Lovell history through the decades to the theme Remember When…A Blast through the Past.”

Grant said tickets at $6 each will go on sale Friday, June 17, at 6 p.m. online at www.ticketor.com/LovellMustangDays with sales also conducted at the Lovell Area Chamber of Commerce office
Friday from 6 to 8:30 p.m. and from 7 to 8 p.m. before each show.

Activities on Friday, June 24, will begin with the Mustang Breakfast from 6 to 10 a.m. at the Lovell Fire Hall, sponsored by North Big Horn Hospital.

Evening events begin at 5 p.m. with the annual Family Fun Night at the Lovell High School practice field. Wrist bands for unlimited activities will be sold for $5 each, and individual game tickets may be purchased for 25 cents apiece. Food tickets are $2 each. Craft and food vendors will be on site. The fun lasts until 8 p.m.

The annual Mustang Days Street Dance featuring the Cowley Boys will take place in the parking lot between Minchow’s Food Court and the Horseshoe Bend Motel starting at 8 p.m. Although the restaurant has closed, owner Jim Minchow said the food court will open for soft drinks and ice cream that evening.

A Calcutta for the Mustang Days Rodeo will also begin at 8 p.m. at the Diamond J Bar.

A Mustang Days Teen Night will take place from 9 to 11 p.m. on Third Street between the fire hall and the bowling alley.

Saturday events

The big day will be Saturday, beginning with the second day of the Mustang Breakfast from 6 to 9 a.m. at the fire hall.

The annual fun run, sponsored by Club Dauntless, will begin at 7:30 a.m. on Third Street in front of the Bank of Lovell featuring a 5K run and one-mile run and walk. Registration begins at 7 a.m. with an entry fee of $5 per runner. Kids 12 and under are free. Runners are urged to register early to prevent logjam.

The Mustang Days Rose Parade begins at 10 a.m. with lineup at the Lovell High School parking lot at 9 a.m. To register, call or text Kristine Henley at 307-250-0892.

Afternoon activities begin with the co-ed volleyball tournament at 1 p.m., held this year on the west side of the middle school due to expected construction at Constitution Park. The tournament is sponsored by Georgia-Pacific, and registration at $60 per team can be done online at www.LovellRecAndBoces.com or by calling 307-254-7461.

The Mustang Days Golf Tournament also begins at 1 p.m., sponsored by Midway Construction. Registration will take place at the clubhouse.

The Mustang Days Rodeo will begin at 2 p.m. at the rodeo grounds, sponsored by the Lovell Rodeo Club.

As Mustang Days nears an end, an evening concert will begin at 6 p.m. with an opening band, followed by the Calvin & the Coal Cars Band at 7 p.m. The concert will be held at the LHS Practice Field.

The celebration grand finale, the Pyro Musical Fireworks, will begin at dusk at the LHS practice field, preceded by a colorful daylight ground display at 9 p.m. Box seats may be reserved at www.ticketor.com/LovellMustangDays.

Queen Bee Gardens will hold taste testing all week.