I’ve celebrated the Fourth of July watching fireworks in 80 to over 90 degree weather while living in Arizona. I’ve watched the most complicated fireworks display I’ve ever seen while living in Pittsburgh, but this Independence Day was an entirely new experience.
Starting that Sunday with the “Freedom has a Birthday” celebration on the Fourth of July, Laramie launched its 70th Jubilee days, but which was my first. Jubilee days was established in 1940 to celebrate Wyoming attaining statehood on July 10, 1890. Originally, it started as a fiddler’s contest, chariot races and a giant parade (by Laramie’s standard), but it has turned into a weeklong celebration. This year downtown activities included street dances, a parade, Mr. T Classic Bull Riding, Junior Bull Riding and 3 PRCA performances.
I was very excited to see rodeo events which I haven’t experienced in over 15 years, have a great time at all of the fun downtown events and see a side of Laramie I haven’t experienced yet.
Sunday morning I attended a party in the park where I heard some great music, enjoyed a free snow cone and 2 free ice cream cones and ate an awesome lunch that combined Indian fry bread and a tostada. To finish off Friday with a bang, there was a surprisingly large fireworks display which seemed to have more fireworks than people watching per capita compared to the Pittsburgh display which I recorded a few years ago.
I resumed my Jubilee Days experience on Friday when I visited the farmers market and visited the displays setup by local vendors and stores.
On Saturday I started my day at the Boomerang Chili Cook-off where I sampled 8 or 9 fantastic chilies. My favorite was from the V-bar ranch which had a more traditional chili taste while still giving it an amazing flavor twist. I waited for the dog talent show which ended up being canceled, and then decided I would go to the Laramie Brew Fest where a huge variety of beers of different types and flavors were on tap. A word of advice and note to self, next time eat more before hand and bring some snacks for during the event.
I had a great time at my first Jubilee Days, and I tried a lot of new chili and beer. Hopefully, next year I will 
get to take in a few rodeos and a few more of the downtown events.