July 9, 2026 |
Photo – Event Poster
The city of Rawlins is preparing for a weekend filled with events and celebrations.
July 4th was the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Tomorrow, July 10th, marks the 136th anniversary of Wyoming’s statehood. In light of these milestones, Rawlins will host a series of community activities over the weekend, including Half‑Way Days, which highlights the city’s place on the Continental Divide Trail, and the county’s primary sesquicentennial event.
Half‑Way Days is a collaboration between the city of Rawlins and the Continental Divide Trail Coalition, which maintains one of the country’s three major long‑distance hiking routes alongside the Appalachian and the Pacific Crest trails. Speaking at Tuesday evening’s Rawlins City Council meeting, House District 15 Representative and Downtown Development Authority Executive Director Pam Thayer noted that Rawlins sits near the center of the 3,000‑mile-long trail.
The city is holding a three‑day festival to celebrate its unique place on the trail. Thayer said the event will feature live music from local and national artists.
In addition to live music, Thayer said Derick Lugo, an author and thru‑hiker who has completed all three major trails, will speak, as will representatives from the Bureau of Land Management, the Wyoming Office of Recreation, and the Continental Divide Trail Coalition. She said that along with various games and activities, there is something for everyone at this weekend’s Half‑Way Days.
Thayer said the city has $8,000 in gear and prizes to give away, including tents, hiking socks, and shoes. She said Continental Divide Trail hikers are adjusting their schedules to be present at this weekend’s event.
Thayer said over 50 volunteers and 40 sponsors helped organize Half‑Way Days, adding that the event shows Rawlins can accomplish big things through community effort.
During Tuesday’s Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting, Commissioner Sue Jones said Half-Way Days isn’t the only event happening in Rawlins this weekend.
Friday is the county’s main 250 celebrations. The Carbon County 250 Committee created a short documentary for the occasion called “Legacy for a Nation: Journeys to Carbon County,” which features interviews with prominent residents and reenactments of significant historical events. The film will be shown three times on Friday: 4:30 and 7:30 inside the historic depot, and 9:30 p.m. outdoors in Depot Park.
Commissioner Jones said the 250 Committee used artificial intelligence to bring old black‑and‑white photographs to life for the film.
Commissioner Jones thanked the 250 Committee members, including Candy Moulton and the museum directors, for working hard to ensure the county’s semiquincentennial celebrations are among the best in the state.
Also on July 10th, Rawlins’s Harvey Field Airport is hosting the Sky Festival. The family‑friendly event will feature plane displays, an aircraft show, vendors, food, entertainment, and activities for children.
This weekend’s events, including Half-Way Days, the county’s 250 celebrations, and the Harvey Field Sky Festival begin tomorrow morning. A complete list of activities can be found at www.rawlinswy.gov or on the City of Rawlins Facebook page.
