Town booked up for Jubilee weekend

Moorcroft and the surrounding area nightly rooms are and have been fully booked for Jubilee weekend for some time and local RV park owner Paul Smoot said that he is still receiving several calls daily.

Previous years saw about 1000 people for the celebration but, this year, Police Chief Doug Lundborg is planning on the premise that between 3000 and 5000 people will attend the street dance with Chancey Williams and the Younger Brothers Band. The Crook County Sheriff’s Department has assured Lundborg of their support and, through agency cooperation, Campbell County will be in reserve if called upon.

To help alleviate congestion, Moorcroft Area Chamber of commerce president Neal Gray, with the cooperation of Crook County School District, has set up a free shuttle service using one of the school buses. With approximately 600 parking spaces reserved at the Cornerstone Church and also at the school, “That bus is going to run from 4 p.m. until midnight.”

This year, the band’s stage will be set up with pyrotechnics; under ordinance, fireworks cannot be launched within town limits and the council has relaxed that law specifically for this show. The chief wants to make clear that this variance is not for the public, so the public is not at liberty to discharge any fireworks in town.

Gray, who had not initially attended, was called into the meeting by Councilman Paul Smoot to clarify times and locations of events during the weekend for the council and Lundborg when the chief expressed his angst regarding the lack of communication.

“They haven’t asked for a parade permit, they haven’t asked for street closures – nothing! Now it’s days away and I have to scramble with my people with scheduling,” he said.

Upon his arrival, Gray gave the needed information and reminded the body that, when he came before them a couple of months ago, they did not inform him of the needed permits and he was not aware that he had to contact the chief. He was later commended for his efforts bringing together Jubilee weekend for the last two years as he advised the council that he will not be presiding next year.

“I’ll help, but I’m not going to be in charge, I need my sleep,” he said.

Kaare Kimsey of Dewey’s Place and Mandy Gideon of Deere Haven Liquor and Lounge, using a stamp and wrist bands for age verification, will both be dispensing alcohol outside during Jubilee; however, when discussing with the governing body their responsibility for tighter monitoring of age restrictions, they voiced their assurance that they would card everyone regardless of whether the customer wears a wristband or not.