Jubilee to celebrate this year's graduates

2020 has been a year filled with unrest. In the spirit of the West and with a Wyoming “can do” attitude, the Moorcroft Area Chamber of Commerce (MACC) has decided to go ahead with the time-honored tradition of Jubilee. This is the 55th year of the town’s annual celebration and the Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to making this year the best one yet.

This year, we honor the 100th graduating class of Moorcroft High School and all those who came before them. The theme of this year’s Jubilee is “Centennial of Graduates.” The class of 1970 has their 50th graduation anniversary planned as part of the festivities and the Class of 2020 will serve as the Jubilee parade Grand Marshals. We are still working out the final details but, so far, our schedule looks like this:

We will kick off our 55th Annual Moorcroft Jubilee Days on Thursday, July 9 with the Moorcroft Prom – Rollin’ the Dice at Jubilee, to be held outdoors. COVID-19 prevented students from having their regular prom this year, so we decided to help Andrea Wood pull off a prom to remember. I hope that all the kids who were planning on going to Prom in March can attend this special night.

Friday July 10 – The annual Moorcroft Ranch Rodeo, put together by the Moorcroft Rodeo Club and the area outside of town. Gate opens at 5 p.m., Calcutta at 6 and rodeo to start after the Calcutta. All proceeds from this event go to the rodeo club.

Saturday July 11 – Kicks off at 6:30 a.m. with a Prayer for America held at the flagpole on South Bighorn Avenue, followed by free chuckwagon breakfast at the West Texas Trail Museum from 7 to 9 a.m., courtesy of Moorcroft Historical Society. Then, the 3K color run/walk, sponsored by Eastern Wyoming College at 7:30 a.m., starting at Robinson Park and the town favorite parade will begin at 10 a.m. Those interested may pick up a parade entry form from the Chamber Facebook page or Diehl’s Market. 

The firemen and EMT’s of Moorcroft have stepped up to feed guests at noon with a free BBQ at the fire hall and following a great lunch will be a free Ice Cream Social while supplies last, sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary. The eight-time state champion wrestling team will sponsor and run the community favorite Cornhole Tournament to start at 1 p.m. on South Big Horn Avenue.

Entry fees will pay for cash prizes and all other proceeds will support the wrestling team. Beginning at 2 p.m., the Secret Squirrel Brigade and the Whitcomb FFA will run the Splash Bash and the Fun-On-The-Go bounce houses. Those proceeds will support those groups as well.

Dr. Lucas Kaufman has volunteered to let the community “Dunk the Dentist” and people are again invited to the Celebrity Box Social, where one can buy a celebrity with whom to have dinner that evening at 5 p.m. The celebrity will provide the lunch and the participants will bid for the chance to join them in a live auction. The auction proceeds will help the chamber bring you the best Jubilee yet. 

This brings us to the best part of the evening – live entertainment will be provided by Kalyn Beasley and Tris Munsick and the Innocents.

A lot of people do not realize that Jubilee is put on entirely with volunteers and donated funds. The town does not pay for Jubilee, the Chamber does. I have read several Facebook posts about how disappointing it would be if Jubilee were to be canceled.

Nobody wants to see it canceled, but the MACC is run by volunteers and we are getting old and tired. If you would like to help out, you are encouraged to attend the Chamber meetings and get involved!

Since my involvement with the Chamber, I have noticed a trend. The Chamber of Commerce does not profit in any way from Jubilee. In fact, we have lost several thousands of dollars over the last four years.  

It is critical we, as a community, continue to support our volunteers and donors. They are who make Jubilee possible. Donations are tight this year because of the area businesses being affected by COVID and the closures, but we are doing all we can to make it happen. If you would like to donate, please call Cindy at 756-9300.