Over the past two decades Absaroka Mountain Thunder’s clogging performances have become a mainstay at the Park County Fair’s Pepsi free stage and during the fair’s annual parade.

The dance company will be entering its 23rd year of performances at the fair with 38 dancers. Tara Shorb has over 30 years of Park County Fair performances under her belt, her mother and Absaroka Mountain Thunder co-owner Cindy Bjornestad said.

“The fair’s probably the favorite performance for these girls every year regardless of where they might travel to,” Bjornestad said.

Throughout their three performances, audiences will see cloggers of a variety of age and experience levels. Abby Wambeke is currently the most experienced clogger with 15 years of clogging under her belt, while the youngest dancers are just 5 years old.

Bjornestad added that this age range is appealing for an audience to see because they also get to see the younger dancers become motivated and excited by their older peers’ performances.

“We just offer a high energy fun show for audiences of all ages,”
Bjornestad said. “The different genres of music that we use [means] there’s pretty much something for everybody that they can enjoy.”

Audiences can expect to see contemporary, country, Western, hip-hop, pop and traditional music. Some of the groups also dabble in Irish step dancing and soft shoe dancing.

Absaroka Mountain Thunder can be seen on the Pepsi free stage Thursday at 5 p.m., Friday at 5 p.m. and Saturday at 7 p.m. 

For those interested in learning a few moves, fall enrollment is currently open.