according to Laramie Jubilee Days’ Facebook page the following information was shared about summer events after a press conference from Governor Gordon.
Press Release
May 27, 2020
For immediate release
Contact name: Jaime Stine, Marketing Chair
Email: marketing@laramiejubileedays.org
RE: 2020 Laramie Jubilee Days Celebration
Today it is with heavy hearts that the Laramie Jubilee Days Board of Directors has made the hard decision to shift our efforts to planning the 2021 Laramie Jubilee Days celebration and ultimately cancel this year’s Laramie Jubilee Days scheduled for July 4-12, 2020. This announcement is a collective, unified decision with Governor Mark Gordon, and our colleagues from Thermopolis, Cody, Casper, Sheridan and Cheyenne.
During his media briefing today, flanked by a representative from each of our events, Gordon announced a collective decision to cancel the Thermopolis Cowboy Rendezvous PRCA Rodeo, the Cody Stampede, Central Wyoming Fair & PRCA Rodeo in Casper, the Sheridan WYO Rodeo, Laramie Jubilee Days, and Cheyenne Frontier Days.
“The health and safety of guests, volunteers, rodeo contestants and our communities are our primary concern, indeed our duty,” the Governor emphasized.
The most essential steps in curbing the Coronavirus are social distancing and not gathering large crowds in relatively small spaces. “We cherish our cowboys and cowgirls and love watching them compete, especially at the large venues,” Governor Mark Gordon said today. “However, with COVID-19 still present and no vaccine available at this time we came together to discuss options,” he added.
The very nature of rodeos and outdoor celebrations such as Laramie Jubilee Days make social distancing nearly impossible to maintain. “We are making a responsible decision to protect the health of our community, the contestants and those behind the scenes putting on the rodeo that everyone loves,” said Guy Warpness, LJD Board Chairman, echoing Governor Gordon’s concerns. “We join the larger Wyoming rodeo family in this decision, which mirrors similar decisions made by other large rodeo celebrations around the state. Our boards are unified in the decision to promote the health and safety of all involved.”
The Governor and his staff met with rodeo committee members from Cody, Sheridan, Thermopolis, Laramie, Casper and Cheyenne over the past several weeks and looked at potential social distancing measures, entrance and exit plans and other possibilities to ensure safely staging rodeos, parades, carnivals and concerts.
“Solutions conceived on paper haven’t held true in practice and quite simply hundreds of people funneling through a gate at the same time is not safe,” the Governor stated.
This unprecedented decision does not mean the western legacy of Laramie Jubilee Days won’t live on. We have seen how our community’s spirit can still bring everyone together, especially in times of need. In the interest of reducing the possibility of the spread of COVID-19, we ask our community to join us in preparing for a wonderful event in 2021. “The Laramie Jubilee Days Board of Directors is dedicated to concentrating on our 2021 celebration,” stated Warpness. “Let’s work together to make next year’s event one to remember.”
We encourage our patrons to visit our website, www.laramiejubileedays.org, to learn more about refunds and other pertinent information regarding this decision. Rest assured, when Laramie Jubilee Days returns in 2021, it will include all the events that our community members and visitors enjoy including the parade, carnival, rodeos, downtown street dances, and more! In the meantime, we wish everyone good health. Until we meet again…Happy Trails to You!
Click here (or visit https://youtu.be/kurc3vDBErY) to view our broadcast message. For further inquiries specific to each event, please contact the following:
Thermopolis Cowboy Rendezvous
Contact: T.J. Owsley; thermopolisprca@gmail.com ; 307-921- 0534
www.thermopoliscowboyrendezvous.com
Cody Stampede
Contact: Mike Darby; michaelsdarby@hotmail.com; 307 250 1259
www.codystampederodeo.com
Central Wyoming Fair & Rodeo
Contact: Tom Jones; t_jones@centralwyomingfair.com; (307) 258-3886
www.centralwyomingfair.com
Sheridan Wyo Rodeo
Contact: Billy Craft; bcraft@craftco.com; 307-751-1831
www.sheridanwyorodeo.com
Laramie Jubilee Days
Contact: Guy Warpness; gwarp59@gmail.com; 307-760-8777
www.laramiejubileedays.org
Cheyenne Frontier Days
Contact: Nicole Gamst; nicole@cfdrodeo.com; 307 778 7210
www.cfdrodeo.com
