Kremmling is full of history and this year’s history seems richer than most as the Middle Park Fair & Rodeo and the Kremmling Union High School/West Grand High School celebrate their 100th anniversary. The Kremmling Days’ theme gives a nod to these centennial celebrations with the theme ~ 100 Years of Pioneers. The tradition of Kremmling Days also has a respectable history. It has been celebrated since 1950 when the Kremmling Volunteer Fire Department started a day for fun and frolic. However, it is a popular belief that Kremmling Days originated from Railroad Days, a three day celebration first held over the 4th of July in 1906. Over time, Kremmling Days has became the Kremmling Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual event that occurs on the third Saturday of June, usually in conjunction with Father’s Day weekend. This year’s activities will launch on Friday afternoon and continue to Sunday.
Friday, June 17
Fireman’s BBQ
Friday night entertainment
The entertainment begins on Friday afternoon at 5 p.m. when the Fun Zone is set-up at the Town Square. The Fun Zone is for all ages and will feature a bouncy castle, inflatable obstacle course, inflatable jousting, tumble bubbles (think huge hamster balls that people get into and roll around in the pool) and a trackless train for all ages. Wristbands will be available for purchase in Town Square so kids can have unlimited rides. There will also be individual tickets available for those that may only want to experience one or two rides.
While the kids are entertained in the Kidszone, parents can enjoy live music and a cold beer in the beer garden, or they can shop the 26 plus vendors in the park. People will be happy to know that Wild West Soda’s will be returning this year after a hiatus in 2015.
The live music kicks off at 5 pm – 6:30 pm with the Army Country Band on the main stage. They will be followed by the P.J. Zahn Band from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The Fireman’s BBQ begins at 6 p.m. and will continues until the firefighters run out of food to serve. The cost for the plate is $10 for BBQ beef, baked beans, corn on the cob, watermelon and a beverage.
Saturday, June 18
Pancake Breakfast
The morning begins with a pancake breakfast at 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. at the pavilion in Town Square. The pancake breakfast is a fundraiser for Friends of the Grand County Library.
Mustang Mile
Breakfast is followed by the Mustang Mile at 9:45 a.m. Runners wishing to participate should meet by the red storage sheds along Highway 40 and 17th street at 9 a.m. The registration is $15 and the mile will end at the Town Square. Racers will catch the enthusiasm from the crowd along the parade route as they cheer them on to the finish line.
Parade Details
Parade line-up begins at 8:30 a.m. at the high school and the parade will begin at 10 a.m. It proceeds from the high school down Highway 40 and will end just past the Town Square.
Bill Wyatt, the parade announcer is stationed at the Town Park, but anywhere along the parade route allows for good viewing. Floats and participants in the parade often throw candy to those along the parade route so bring bags to collect candy.
Those who have not already registered with the Chamber of Commerce can still join the parade by filling out the parade application located on the www. kremmlingchamber.com website under events and turning it in with their $5 to the chamber.
The Grand Marshals of the parade this year are Twila O’Hotto and Kenneth Wheatley. As a long standing family in Kremmling, Twila and her dad were a perfect fit for the pioneer theme of Kremmling Days. Twila was also an exceptional choice to be honored as Grand Marshall as a volunteer for both the alumni association and the Middle Park Fair and Rodeo.
The parade royalty is queen Megan Setliff and princesses Charlee Manguso and Sonia Castillo. All three members of the royalty court are 2016 graduates and were chosen on the basis of their community involvement and academic achievement.
Kids Games
The Kremmling Firefighters still continue the tradition of the Kids’ Games on Saturday after the parade at 11 a.m. The games are fun for all ages and are classic favorites of foot races, three-legged races, egg toss, money pit and a newly added fire brigade. The fire brigade challenges two teams in a race to be the first to fill their bucket with water.
Cliff Golf
Cliff Golf begins at 11 a.m. at the Kremmling Cliffs. Registration begins at 9 a.m. at the Kremmling Chamber Center and an award ceremony is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. in the Town Square. Prizes are awarded for those closest to the target for first, second and third. The prizes were donated by local businesses.
Horseshoe Tournament
The Horseshoe Tournament sign-ups will begin at 11 a.m. and the action will begin at noon at the Rocky Mountain Bar and Grill. There is a $10 entry fee.
Vendors/Petting Zoo/ Free Museum Tours
Vendors will be offering food and merchandise throughout the day and the KidsZone will continue with the added entertainment of the 3R’s 4-H Club Petting Zoo from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Middle Park Fair and Rodeo Royalty will be distributing the new fair books and giving away FREE HELIUM BALLOONS
The Heritage Museum in Kremmling will be offering free tours throughout the day. The museum is located at 111 N. 4th Street (across from Big Shooters) and boasts six historic buildings.
Redneck Mudshuffle
The Redneck Mudshuffle will begin at 6 p.m at the Fairgrounds. A beer garden will be available at the fairgrounds and concessions by the rotary. There is also door prizes to give away and the popular Kids’ Candy Shuffle will provide entertainment during the event.
All school reunion
In honor of the 100th anniversary of the Kremmling Union High School/ West Grand School District, the Alumni Association will be hosting a dinner for school alumni and anyone associated with the school at 6 p.m. in the Bumgarner Building just off of the Town Square. It is not too late to join the reunion festivities – call Twila at 970-724-3302. Individual classes will also be meeting throughout the weekend.
Other Saturday entertainment:
The Kidszone, vendors, beer garden and live entertainment will be available form 11 am – 10 pm in Town Square. Many of the vendors will have traveled from places as far as Texas to be part of Kremmling Days.
Live music will kick off at noon with the Abby Kash Band and they will perform until 5 pm. The evening fun is rounded off with live entertainment from Live to Tell from 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. They are the same band that performed last year on Friday night and we received astounding feedback regarding their performance. Live To Tell hails from Denver, CO and will feature contemporary sounds including: Maroon 5, Aerosmith, Poison and Bon Jovi to name a few. Their website is livetotellband.com
SUNDAY, June 19
Father’s Day Pancake Breakfast
The weekend winds down with a pancake breakfast in the park at 7:30 a.m. followed by a Church Service in the Town Square at 10 a.m. The service is hosted by Gore Range, Kremmling Community Church, Parshall Chapel and Trinity Episcopal. Everyone is invited to attend.
Team Roping
In addition to Kremmling Days, there is western fun at the fairgrounds – think ropes, horses and steers with horns. The team roping begins at 11 am. Call Erin for more information 970-509-0066.
Rocky Mountain Armament Shoot
The Rocky Mountain Armament will be hosting a shoot at Mulberry Hill. Bill Simms, the owner of the Rocky Mountain Armament, has an impressive collection of guns he has amassed throughout the years. His collection includes something for everyone from pistols to flame throwers.
His expansive collection even includes a T-124 E 2 anti-tank artillery from the Korean War. “It rocks the world,” Simms explained in plain terms. Participants will have the chance to shoot at remote control airplanes, explosive targets and shoot bowling ball mortar.
The event is not only for participants, but for spectators as well. The charge for event admission is $10 for adults and $5 for kids 8 through 17 and kids 7 and under are free. The cost to shoot the automatic weapons will be $30 per magazine or belt, but most people will want to bring extra for more shooting opportunities. On the day of the shoot there will be discounted tickets available for purchase. Mulberry Hill is off of County Road 22 and signs will be available to follow.
