The Star Valley 2023 Summer Events Calendar

Summer is the time to be in Star Valley, with average high temperatures in the 70- and 80-degree ranges and a wealth of summer activities for residents and visitors to western Wyoming. Below are just some of the many great summer events taking place in Star Valley in 2023.

Mid-April, 2023: Star Valley View Golf Course Opens:
Star Valley is the home of Star Valley View Golf Course, one of the best public golf courses in Wyoming. Star Valley View is an 18-hole, 6010-yard course designed by golf legend Johnny Miller, a frequent visitor and vacationer in Star Valley. The course is located just east of U.S. 89 at the south end of Afton and opens in mid-April, weather permitting.

June 1st, 2023: Wyoming Free Fishing Day - Valley-Wide:
Enjoy a day of free fishing in beautiful Star Valley! This special day for the outdoorsman in all of us gives you free access to the Salt River, Greys River, Palisades, and the countless other fishing spots Star Valley has to offer. For details on all you need to know about fishing in Star Valley, check out this article. To learn more about Wyoming's Free Fishing Day, visit this link to the Wyoming Fish & Game site.

June 1st, 2023: Cokeville Rodeo, Rope 'n' Run season, Cokeville Rodeo Arena:
First night June 1st. Held every Thursday evening through the summer.

June 7th, 2023: Wyoming Sportsman's Gun Show in Afton:
The very popular Sportsman Gun Show comes to Star Valley this summer. They'll have everything you'd expect to see: guns, accessories and survival supplies. This event will take place at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds, right in the heart of Afton. For more event details, including entrance fees, visit this link.

June 10th, 2023: Lincoln County Rodeo Queen Contest:
At the Lincoln County/Afton Fairgrounds.

June 16th - 25th, 2023: Great Western Antler Rendesvous, Alpine:
More info to come.

June 17th - 25th, 2023: National Stockdog Finals, Afton Fairgrounds:
Association returned this week, but with an expanded venue, bringing in more teams and officials to compete and judge in a series of arenas at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds in Afton. Teams and judges have come from Idaho, Utah, Washington, Kentucky, Texas, Florida and Alabama.
The public is invited to attend any of stock dog events involving both cattle and sheep at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds, in Afton, for no charge. Events start at 8:30am each day and continue through Saturday, July 17. There is no charge.
Stock Dog Association President Steve Wight and his management team are overseeing the handlers, many with multiple dogs. Events include a handler and dog working a group of sheep or cattle into a designated pin. The handlers direct their dogs with verbal commands or whistles. Judges review the process and the time needed to accomplish each task. As part of the visit to Lincoln County, the stock dog association allows the Lincoln County 4-H program to sell food and refreshments, in addition to holding an auction for the visiting handlers. “We do the auction and they buy the items and that money, 100 percent, is given to your local 4-H,” Wight reported.
A schedule for the final events, can be found at https://mountainstatesstockdog.com/.

June 23rd - 25th, 2023: Alpine Mountain Days, Alpine:
The Town of Alpine invites you to its annual outdoor festival - Mountain Days! This three-day event is filled with fun for the whole family - a fine art and craft show, food vendors, mountain man and Native American performances and activities, live music, raffle drawings, and more! Visit the Town of Alpine's web site to learn more, of click on the graphic to the right to see the events list.

June 24th, 2023 - Afton Freedom Festival, Afton:
The This event features: 7am 5K Race, 8:30am Pancake Breakfast until 10am, 9am 3-on-3 Tournament, 11am Bouncy House & Vendors until 6pm, 12pm Rubber Duck Scramble, 12pm Stage Events, 12pm Heritage Corner at Star View Park until 6pm, 2:30pm Fish Scramble, 3:30pm Cornhole Tournament, 8pm Street Dance with Live Music from The Linfords. Visit their Facebook event page to learn more.

June 29th, 2023 - Jane Anderson Benefit Concert, Afton Ford Theater:
More info coming.

June 29th, 2023: Afton Art Fair, Afton:
In collaboration with the Town of Afton's Freedom Festival, the Star Valley Arts Council will be hosting its first annual Afton Art Fair. Visitors can attend this free event at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds in Afton, to see fabulous fine art on display (and for sale!) from local Star Valley artists, including Doug Monson, Clark Kelley Price, and many others. Visit the event page on the Star Valley Arts Council's web site for more details.

June 30th, 2023: Afton Junior Rodeo, Afton Fairgrounds:
A rodeo for youth 17 and under. Details on their Facebook page.

June 30th - July 29th, 2023, Each Friday & Saturday - Rock Church Summer Theater, Auburn:
The Rock Church Play is a Star Valley summer tradition. The venue, the Old Rock Church in Auburn is on the Wyoming registry of historical Buildings. The play is sponsored by the Star Valley Historical Society, and all proceeds go to the Historical Society to cover expenses and maintain their buildings. Bring the family and come enjoy the show!
The Rock Church Play in Auburn will be held each Friday and Saturday, with opening night on June 30th and the last show on Saturday July 29th. Doors open at 7pm and the show starts at 7:30pm. Every night will feature a different pre-show with local talent. Seating is general admission. Tickets are purchased at the door and cost $10 for adults, $5 for students, and children under 5 are free. Bring cash or check. No credit cards.
This year’s play is called “The Other Side of the Window.” It was written by Allene W. Heiner Robinson. The play is a musical comedy and as always incorporates the history of Star Valley with some actual characters from history as well as fictional characters thrown in for fun. This year’s play features Butch Cassidy who was known to have actually hid out in the Rock Church in Auburn.

July 1st, 2023: Rodeo & Fireworks, Afton Fairgrounds:
Rodeo starts at 7pm with fireworks after. More info on their Facebook page.

July 4th, 2023: Town/Community July 4th Parades and Celebrations:
- Afton: Parade at 5pm, Search & Rescue Ranch Rodeo at 7pm followed by Fireworks.
- Alpine: Parade at 7pm, followed by fireworks at dusk.
- Fairview: Pancake breakfast at the Box H Park.
- SV Ranch: Events beginning at Cedar Creek Park at 7:30am.
- Thayne: 5K Fun Run at 6am, Fireman’s Breakfast at 7am, Parade at 10am, Carnival and lunch at noon, fireworks at 10pm.

July 8th, 2023: Star Valley Half Marathon - Grover & Thayne:
With beautiful scenery and cool summer temperatures, Star Valley is the perfect place for a summer run! This beautiful course begins in the Bridger National Forest. You'll run the first 2 miles down a road lined with trees and breathtaking mountain scenes. The rest of the course winds through the beautiful, rolling farmlands of Turnerville, Bedford, and ends at Thayne elementary school. To learn more about this race or to sign up, visit their web site.

July 10th - 14th, 2023: Blue Sky Music Camp, Ford Theater, 432 South Washington St, Afton, WY 83110:
A week-long camp for students of all ages that will take them from the classroom to the stage! With instruction in both a primary and secondary instrument, they learn improv, backup and how to play with a band from professional educators & musicians. Students learn techniques & prepare for a final performance in their very own band! Learn more at the Salt River Arts web site.

July 18th - 19th, 2023: Star Valley Art Trail, Alpine:
The Star Valley Arts Council will be showcasing performing and visual artists at our Star Valley Art Trail event - this year in the lovely community of Alpine! 9am - 7:30pm.

July 23rd & 24th, 2023: Fairview Pioneer Day Celebration, Box-H Park, Fairview:
The milk-can dinner and silent auction on Friday. Parade, activities and concessions on Saturday beginning at 10am.

August 5th-12th, 2023: Lincoln County Fair, Afton:
Arguably the biggest summer event in Star Valley has just gotten bigger. This daily event provides rides, food, livestock shows, live music, and much more. Learn more on their web site or on their Facebook page.

August 5th, 2023: The Vocalist, Lincoln County Fairgrounds, Afton:
Starts at 7pm at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds. More info on their Facebook page.

August 18th & 19th, 2023: Alpine Car Show, Alpine:
Star Valley's biggest car show is held in Alpine each year, and it doesn't disappoint. To learn more, visit the Town of Alpine's web site.

Late August, 2023: Intermittent Spring “Disappears”:
If you take Swift Creek Road (2nd Avenue) East from Afton, you'll eventually come to a small parking lot at the end of the road. If you hike about 2/3 of a mile from there, you'll come to a small stream that feeds Swift Creek. Unless you happen to be there between late August and May, in which case the stream may or may not be there at all! The Intermittent Spring, the largest naturally occurring periodic spring in the world, runs for about eighteen minutes at a time, then slows and stops entirely for about the same amount of time, before starting back up again. Visit beginning in late August to see one of Wyoming's—and the world's—natural wonders. Click for a Blog Post on the Intermittent Spring.

September 9th, 2023: LoToJa Classic Passes Through Star Valley, Afton & Alpine:
This 200+ mile road bike race from Logan to Jackson (hence the name), makes its appearance in two Star Valley towns each year. Entry information can be found on the LOTOJA web site, or you can come and cheer on the participants or volunteer at the Afton or Alpine checkpoints.

Around September 15th, 2023: Hunting Season Begins:
Star Valley and the surrounding areas are excellent locations for trophy hunting, and Boone and Crockett-registered animals have been taken in and around Star Valley. Although the Wyoming Game & Fish Department reserves the right to change the opening of the season, deer and moose hunting seasons are expected to open around September 15, 2023. For exact dates and more info, see the WY Game & Fish web site.

September 18th - 23rd, 2023: Star Vally Plein Air:
The Star Valley Arts Council is excited to debut Star Valley Plein Air. We invite all interested artists – beginner or experienced – to participate in painting the beautiful scenery of Star Valley and its surrounding areas.
Artists will paint from September 18th through the 21st. On September 22nd and 23rd, artists will showcase their pieces at Western Skies Art Gallery in Afton, where they can compete for three sponsor awards, six judges awards, and sell their pieces to the community. An awards ceremony will be held the evening of September 23rd at the Afton Civic Center.
For full details please visit: http://www.starvalleyarts.org/pleinair/