May in Jackson Hole, the town known for being the “last of the Old West,” celebrates that reputation with two weeks of action-packed, nature-loving and Wild West events known as Elkfest and Old West Days. Elkfest, May 20 – 21, 2017, is immediately followed by Old West Days, May 26 – 29, both loaded with family-friendly activities taking place in various locations from the famous Jackson, Wyoming, Town Square to the local fairgrounds.
Beginning ElkFest weekend and continuing through the end of Old West Days, the Mountain Man Rendezvous and Traders Row at the Teton Fairgrounds entertains crowds with bow and arrow competitions and hawk-and-knife rivalries between costumed mountain men. Historically-inspired Western crafts are on sale with food and drinks, turning the fairgrounds into a unique taste-of-the-Old West experience.
The central event for Elkfest is the annual Boy Scouts Elk Antler Auction, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Wagonloads of elk antlers line the streets of Jackson for bidding at an exciting live auction, Saturday, May 20, with local Boy Scouts typically gathering more than 10,000 pounds of the naturally shed elk antlers and showcasing their findings for collectors from around the world. A large portion of proceeds from the auction is dedicated for habitat enhancement projects on the nearby National Elk Refuge. Then on Sunday, May 21, Elkfest goers can bring their appetites to Town Square for the popular High Noon Chili Cook-Off where attendees have the opportunity to sample the hot stuff from a variety of local chefs and organizations – then cast a vote for the “Best of the West.”
On Friday, May 26, an evening at the Bar J Chuckwagon kicks off Old West Days with a hearty Western style meal and one-of-a kind cowboy entertainment from the performers whose incredible singing voices and comedic storytelling skills make for an unforgettable evening. The Old West Days parade – one of the West’s rare horse-drawn parades – winds through town on Saturday morning followed by kids’ crafts and live Western music on the town’s famous elk antler-framed square. Following the parade on Saturday, craft beer fans can raise a glass at the Old West Brew Fest, also taking place on the town square. Brew masters from all over the region come together to offer attendees samples of their finest beers in hopes of earning the “Golden Boot Award” from voters.