CASPER, Wyo. — The National Historic Trails Interpretive Center will host its annual “Holiday on the Homestead” from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10 with everything from live music to model trains to hand-dipped chocolates from the Dutch oven to a gingerbread house competition.
“Holiday on the Homestead is a wonderful experience to share with the community,” Leslie Peters, director of the Trails Center, said. “This year’s event highlights the Trails Center’s 20th anniversary. We invite you to celebrate with us and learn about the history of the place we call home.”
Holiday on the Homestead is free to attend, but the Trails Center is asking people to consider bringing non-perishable food items that Wyoming Food for Thought Project can use to help address food insecurity in the Casper area.
“Needed items include peanut butter, fruit cups, cereal boxes, ramen noodles, and granola bars,” the announcement from the Trails Center said.
Music during the event will include a performance from 11 a.m. to noon Dec. 10 from the Bighorn Basque Club.
“The Bighorn Basque Club will sing, dance, and recall stories from the home country, bringing Wyoming’s Basque culture to life,” the announcement from the Trails Center said.
Award-winning fiddle player Erica Flom will also be performing pioneer music and holiday songs throughout the day.
People wanting to enter the Wyoming Gingerbread House competition must do so by 4 p.m. Dec. 9. Those will be judged by Trails Center visitors.
“For contest rules, visit nhtcf.org/,” the release added. “Sponsored by the Historic Trails Center Foundation.”
Hands-on activities during the Holiday on the Homestead event will include:
Ragdolls – create a handmade gift for your child
Origami cup and ball – test your pioneer dexterity skills by creating your own game
Tree cookie ornaments – recycle trees into a lovely ornament for your home
Cookie decorating – frost your own tasty holiday cookie
Pony Express letters to Santa – write a letter and watch as the National Pony Express Association delivers it to Santa on horseback
Military encampment – join living historians as they portray military life on the wintry frontier
Seymour Antelope – Hang out with the Bureau of Land Management’s official mascot
Prairie sweet shop – hand-dip chocolates from the Dutch oven with our pioneer women
Trails Center
Everything in the Trails Center bookstore will be on sale at a 15% discount during the Holiday on the Homestead celebration.
The Holiday on the Homestead event will be the first one held in-person since 2019, the Trails Center noted.
“For more information, please call the Trails Center at 307-261-7700,” the announcement added.
The Trails Center is located at 1501 N. Poplar St. in Casper. Winter hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. seven days a week. Admission is free.
