Tractors, toys, talent and twirling

What could be more enjoyable than a day of fun for the entire family? The Copper Days Festival in Encampment, Wyo. has been entertaining tractor enthusiasts since 1994. Beginning at 11 a.m. on both Saturday, Sept. 8 and Sunday, Sept. 9, the whole family can watch antique tractors pull heavy, weighted trailers to compete for the title of strongest tractor. Admission is free!

A competitor from last year asked, “Who can resist all things tractor-- and a barn dance? They have all the right elements—free, family, fun and food!”

Antique and old-time engines will be on display all afternoon, too. And don’t miss the tractors on parade Saturday morning at 10 a.m.

Tractors have been collected for decades by those who reminisce about simpler times when hard work was rewarded with an afternoon of friendly one upsmanship.

Enthusiasts come from across the region to compete and share stories and memories with their children and grandchildren. Younger children watch in awe of the loud, rumbling engines and smokestacks.

“Ol’ Betsy!” Tractor Pull activities will be held at the Encampment-Riverside Lions Club Arena along Highway 70 in Encampment. If you are interested in entering the tractor competition, please call Fred at 307-710-5660.

Take a spin around the dance floor at the family barn dance featuring One Night Stand with Yancey Allison on Saturday evening. The old-fashioned dance will be held at the historic Grand Encampment Opera Hall in downtown Encampment. The dance will be from 7-10 p.m. so there is plenty of time to turn a few circles on the traditional wood dance floor. Tickets to the dance are $10 per person and children 12 years and younger are free. Snacks and refreshments are included in the ticket price and there will be a cash bar. Tickets for the dance can be purchased in advance at the Chamber office in Saratoga or at the Red Wagon in Encampment and will also be available at the door.

Has it been a few years? No worries, there will be free lessons and a chance to loosen the rusty joints beforehand.

The successful Kids Art Workshop will also be back, again. The Platte Valley Arts Council invites children to paint, glue, stamp and cut to create beautiful pieces of tractor-themed art to take home. The experience is always free and will be held Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. near the pulling competition. Concessions will be available at the arena.

Attendees can also feed their tractor obsession with the Toy Tractor Display and Collection Competition held Saturday afternoon from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Gather your collection of vintage or new models and enter in the fun.

For details and how to enter the Toy Tractor Display, please call Stacy Crimmins at 307-329-7150.