Featuring a strong set of celebrities alongside a string of successful events, the second annual Celebrities for a Cause came to a close this past weekend.

The activities this year kicked off at the rodeo on Thursday night in Cody, where more than two dozen celebrities held a meet and greet before taking in the night rodeo.

“Everyone had a blast at the rodeo,” event organizer Ryan Brown said.

The weekend pushed into Friday with a golf tournament, before a banquet dinner at night where speakers included Brendan McDonough, who was the lone survivor of the Yarnell Hill Fire Tragedy in Arizona, and Fredia “The Cheetah” Gibbs, a world champion kickboxer.

The weekend concluded on Saturday night with an event in the Riley Arena: the Walkout FC 19: Fight for Mental Health.

“I did not think it would be that big, I was surprised how many people showed up for it,” said Brown.

The night featured nine fights from the amateur level all the way up to professional fights sanctioned by the Wyoming Combat Sports Commission.

The night brought in several hundred spectators, with almost all of the proceeds from the three days of events going toward the fight for mental health.

This year’s funds are to be split between Mindful Sport and Performance and Healthy Park County.

Brown chose the cause this year because he believes that mental health is an issue that deserves attention, especially after the impacts of COVID-19.

“I think mental health is one of the biggest issues going on in the world right now,” he said. “After COVID, mental health has affected a lot of people.”

The proceeds for this year’s Celebrities for a Cause have not been totaled, but last year, it brought between $50,000 and $60,000.

MINI CAMPS

Throughout the weekend, a host of celebrities held mini camps ­— including baseball, wrestling and basketball —  for youth in the area.

“I think that opportunity to learn from celebrities is huge for our community,” Brown said. “Kids in Wyoming do not get that exposure that larger areas get.”

Former WWE wrestler Dan “The Beast” Severn helped teach kids wrestling; former NBA player Jumaine Jones helped teach basketball;  and John Rocker, alongside Jeff Frye, taught baseball.

These camps gave youth in Park County the opportunity to learn from professional athletes and get advice from those who have made it to the top of their fields.

CONTINUING TO GROW

“I think this event is going to continue to grow year to year,” Brown said of Celebrities for a Cause.

He said the event also gives celebrities the opportunity to explore Wyoming –  an opportunity they may not get very often.

Brown added he thinks that as the word passes among celebrities and their friends, the event will continue to grow and bring in bigger names each year. 

He said Special Olympics will be next year’s charity of choice for Celebrities for a Cause.

It will likely be hosted a month earlier next year, as Brown is currently targeting June 22-24 in 2023 for the event.

“We had a lot of support for the event this year and we are looking forward to next year,” he said.