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Over the past two-and-a-half decades, Absaroka Mountain Thunder’s clogging performances have become a mainstay at the Park County Fair’s free stage and during the fair’s annual …
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Over the past two-and-a-half decades, Absaroka Mountain Thunder’s clogging performances have become a mainstay at the Park County Fair’s free stage and during the fair’s annual parade. That tradition will continue in 2025.
The Powell-based dance company is entering its 25th year of business. This year a roster of 35 dancers will be performing at the Park County Fair.
Although the group travels across Wyoming, Montana, Utah and other places, “when we get to perform in front of our community that’s really [the dancers’] favorite,” Absaroka Mountain Thunder co-owner Cindy Bjornestad told the Tribune last year. “The Park County Fair is their favorite. It’s something that our dancers really enjoy.”
Fairgoers will get the chance to watch cloggers of various ages and experience levels.
Bailee Allred and Piper Bradish are currently the most experienced cloggers with 12 years and six years respectively of clogging under their shoes, while the youngest dancers are just 4 years old. Bjornestad said the age range allows the audience to see the younger dancers become motivated and excited by their older peers’ performances.
Coach Tara Shorb, Bjornestad’s daughter, brings over 30 years of Park County Fair experience.
“We just offer a high-energy, fun show for audiences of all ages,” Bjornestad said last year. “The different genres of music that we use [means] there’s pretty much something for everybody that they can enjoy. It’s just loud and high energy.”
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. The show will be similar to what’s been done in years past, Bjornestead said, and this year dancers will be performing some patriotic dances pulled from when they clogged at the Freedom Celebration on July 3 in front of state dignitaries including Sens. Cytnhia Lummis and John Barrasso. Audiences can also look forward to Absaroka Mountain Thunder’s award winning Buffalo Bill Wild West Show routine.
Absaroka Mountain Thunder can be seen on the Pepsi Free Stage on Tuesday at 1 p.m. and Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 5 p.m.
