For the last two weekends in Washakie County residents and travelers have enjoyed two longtime festivals, one in Ten Sleep and one in Worland.

This year, for the first time, I got to experience Nowoodstock. Traditionally for the Northern Wyoming News I cover the Pepsi Wyoming State BBQ Championship & Bluegrass Festival. This year I let Sean cover that festival and I trekked up to Ten Sleep on Saturday, Aug. 12 to check out Nowoodstock. Pat O’Brien, and now his director-in-waiting Kurt Steinke know how to put on a great festival. Vista Park is a perfect setting. There is plenty of shade and it is reminiscent of the Washakie County Fair concert where you bring your own chair find a spot and enjoy the music.

Yes, I know Nowoodstock came first, but for me I experienced the fair concert in the grassy area first so bear with me.

There was a large amount and great variety of vendors and I saw people from all over the Big Horn Basin and beyond, getting to visit with a friend I had not seen since we both left Lovell.

There was plenty of food and, of course, the music. I did not stay the entire time and get to listen to all of the bands but those I did hear were great.

Pat and Kurt did a great job getting a variety of talented singers and songwriters to come and entertain, as I am sure they have done every year.

I have never heard anyone say they did not have a great time at Nowoodstock.

Then comes last weekend with Dave Paxton and his BBQ & Bluegrass Festival Committee putting on another great weekend of fun, food and music, at least that’s what I’m told, and having experienced the festival for many years I have no doubt it was another great event.

Every year when I interview the winning cooks they all say the same thing, Worland and the Washakie County Fairgrounds is a great venue and the festival is a great event for them to come and compete.

It is amazing for a county to have one well known festival but kudos to Washakie County for having two, supporting two and both in August.

The festivals are a great way to wrap up the summer fun and kudos to everyone who volunteers to put on both festivals. Neither event would be able to have the long successful runs that they have had without volunteers.

With school underway and sports seasons getting in full swing, while not officially on the calendar, summer is truly coming to an end.

We hope you had a great summer and if you missed out on Nowoodstock or the Pepsi Wyoming State BBQ Championship & Bluegrass Festival this year, make a plan to attend one or both to end your summer fun next year.

You won’t be disappointed.

--Karla Pomeroy