Continuing the Crook County News Since 1884

Changes expected for Winterfest

A fixture of winter for downtown visitors, the Sundance Winter Festival has been a popular event since 2015. The loss of its volunteer organizers, however, could spell the end of the festivities in their original form.

Clerk Treasurer Kathy Lenz reported to the Sundance City Council last week that efforts have been made to find replacements for Reggie Gaylord and Steve Lenz. Between them, she said, the pair have volunteered “hundreds of hours” towards the organization of the event.

“We just haven’t had any takers,” Lenz said, suggesting that this isn’t surprising considering the level of effort required to stage the festival.

According to Lenz, Steele Team Roping has expressed interest in taking over the event. The family has extensive experience in organizing team roping jackpots and events.

However, their suggestion would include two changes to the festival: instead of taking place on Main Street, it would be moved to the Crook County Fairgrounds. A fee may also be charged for entry.

“It’ll look different and it’ll probably be different for the businesses,” Lenz said, referring to both the vendors that set up during the festival and the local businesses that see an increase in traffic during Winterfest. She suggested that there might still be the possibility of issuing catering permits for the fairgrounds, however.

Without volunteers to put on the festival on Main Street, Lenz told the council that it could be a case of either holding the event in a new configuration, or not holding the event at all.