TEN SLEEP – Fourth of July festivities kick off Wednesday in Ten Sleep with an Old West-inspired town parade, and a full day of rodeo activities, culminating with fireworks after dark.

The Hyattville-Ten Sleep Pony Express will arrive with the mail on Second Street at 10 a.m., leading off the Independence Day parade, featuring Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame inductees, civic and church groups, political candidates and rodeo royalty, an appearance by Smokey Bear and free balloons and candy for the kids.

There will be a craft show from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the town park.

The 73rd annual Ten Sleep Rodeo will begin at 1:30 p.m. at the rodeo grounds, with kids mutton bustin’ and pee wee barrel racing starting the events, to be followed by junior barrel racing.

The afternoon continues with bareback bronc riding, calf roping, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, barrel racing and bull riding.

The traditional ending of the rodeo for day one includes the crowd favorite, wild horse races.

Fireworks will follow, after dark and can be seen from any location in town or outside of town.

The rodeo will continue Wednesday at 5 p.m. with the same lineup.

Royalty for this year’s rodeo are Anna Powell, queen, and Belle Starbuck, princess.