Meeteetse Museums will host two, free events this weekend as Meeteetse celebrates the National Day of the American Cowboy.

An outdoor concert will be held Friday evening, and then the museum will give a guided tour of the historic Double Dee Ranch on Sunday morning.

The concert begins at 6 p.m. Friday behind the Meeteetse Museums featuring Miss V, the Gypsy Cowbelle and Ospa.

Miss V will open for the band, with original songs and cowbilly favorites that relate to the heritage of Wyoming and the West. Following her performance, former Wyoming Poet Laureate and traditional Basque music expert David Romtvedt will join his group, Ospa.

The musical group will present music of Galicia, Ireland, Quebec and the Basque Country. Ospa will teach the audience about the cultural traditions behind each style of music, play samples, and discuss the similarities and differences between the musical types.

The performance will be a cross-cultural learning experience for all ages with a focus on comparative music and historical Basque ties to Wyoming and even the Meeteetse area.

Food will be available at the concert, but guests are asked to bring their own chairs. Thanks to support from the Wyoming Arts Council and thinkWY/the Wyoming Humanities, admission to the event is free. 

Sunday’s tour of the historic Double Dee Ranch will be led by an array of folks, including Byron Bennett, Doug Johnston of the U.S. Forest Service and museum staff.

Participants of the tour will gather at Meeteetse Museums and leave at 8:30 a.m. sharp. The museums encourage carpooling as there is limited space on site for parking. Those wanting to meet the tour on site and not travel with the group must arrive at the Double Dee by 10 a.m. There is no charge for the tour, which will begin at 10:30 a.m.

During the tour, participants will get to hear from Amelia Earhart about her visit to the ranch. If participants wish to have lunch at the Double Dee Ranch, they will hear Miss V, the Gypsy Cowbelle, perform a few of her songs.

Individuals may drive their own vehicles or arrange to carpool at the museum. Vehicles should have high clearance. Participants should also bring a picnic lunch, water, and appropriate clothing in case of a mountain shower.

Depending on the flow of the Wood River, participants with high clearance may continue the tour to Kirwin (on their own) and then hike 1 mile to Amelia’s proposed cabin. Please note that the water in the Wood River crossing may be higher than normal due to above average rain and snow melt. A representative from the U.S. Forest Service will be at the Double Dee Tour to update participants on the condition of the river and road to Kirwin.

For additional information about the weekend events, call 307-868-2423 or email info@meeteetsemuseums.org.