Setting the stage for her return to Powell, local musician Tia LeeAnn Ibarra will be hitting both the Main Grandstands and the Pepsi Free Stage during the Park County Fair.

Originally hailing from Powell, Ibarra has been singing and writing since she was young. However, it wasn’t until her 16th birthday when she received a small pink guitar that she began to combine the two.

“I learned guitar from watching YouTube and listening to songs and deciphering my own chords for them,” Ibarra said. “Writing is something I’ve always had an incredible passion for, so the two felt so natural together and singing them felt like I had found my spot in this world.”

A move inspired by the same country music she had been playing her whole life, Ibarra made the decision to pack her bags and head off to Nashville, Tennessee, at the age of 22. However, while she said that her experience allowed her to learn and grow, Ibarra said she felt lacking.

“As I got to my third year in Nashville, I couldn’t kick the feeling that something felt like it was missing,” Ibarra said. “The moment I got home, I knew exactly what my heart was missing. Wyoming, and everything about it.”

Nowadays, Ibarra can be found helping to run Maurice’s in Cody, working as a group fitness instructor at Powell’s Club Dauntless and fixing up a home she bought in December. Music-wise, she plays shows and gigs around the area including for both KPOW and KODI’s radio shows. 

“It’s like the best of both worlds,” Ibarra said. “I have this beautiful home base in Nashville so I can fly out, play shows, see friends and write music and I can be here in Wyoming and enjoy the mountains, my family, these perfect little country towns and the small-town music feel.”

Alongside opening for the Sam Cox Band — the headlining concert on Thursday evening —  Ibarra will also be performing on the free stage at the pavilion Friday and Saturday at 5 p.m. 

Although Ibarra wanted her setlists to remain a surprise, she said to expect a mix of songs that the audience will both know and love.  

“My favorite part about performing is just that, entertaining,” Ibarra said. “I absolutely, truly, to my core, love being a part of creating a lasting moment, memory, and feeling in people’s lives.”