Glenrock Sheepherders Rendezvous: Annual event keeps Western heritage alive through living history

The annual Glenrock Sheepherders Rendezvous brought together the past and present lives of sheepherders and their infamous wagons during the annual event held at Glenrock City Park on Aug. 23-25.

As sheep wagons rolled in to kick off the three-day event, spectators began filling the park to celebrate the area’s unique Western heritage.

The annual event featured live music and games, along with multiple attractions including an alpaca exhibit, a look into pioneer history including a blacksmith exhibit and many vendors and food trucks.

Friends and family gathered to enjoy a bountiful lamb dinner on the opening night of the rendezvous. With plans of serving about 50 individuals, the crowd grew upwards to about 80 individuals.

“It was a great turn out,” Rhonda Dilts, a member of the Glenrock Sheepherders Rendezvous organization committee stated. “We couldn’t have asked for a better weekend at the rendezvous. It’s promising to be another stellar event.”

Event activities

The rendezvous featured something for the entire family, and the historic sheep wagons were a popular hit for many.

While some attendees sat and listened to the wonderful music and entertainment, others took to the baseball field to watch competitive dog trials.

The fifth annual Dick Grabow Memorial Sheep Trial competition had over 30 entries as multiple teams competed for the 2024 champion belt buckle.

During the sheepdog trial competition, dogs were guided through a series of commands to complete a variety of tasks which reflect their everyday work with a flock of sheep. 

Each handler and their preference of giving commands – either by voice, whistle or a combination of both – moved the sheep across the field through obstacles, securing a time when the three head of sheep were resting in the stock trailer.

This activity has changed very little over the years, and the shepherds of yesterday would easily recognize the requirements of today’s handlers’ competition.

Sheep for the annual dog trial event were provided by Brad Boner of Glenrock, and once again, Blaine Morgan and his trusty companion took home the win for the second consecutive year.

The fun continues

The Glenrock Sheepherders Rendezvous offered free lamb burgers, a Dutch oven cooking demonstration and contest and numerous opportunities to play with wool, as local spinners and weavers provided a fiber playground for those interested in a quick lesson.

Dutch oven contest winner Kyle Gray received the People’s Choice Award for steak nachos. Linda Butler won the savory category with green chili Frito pie, and John Rose was the winner in the sweet category for his blueberry earthquake cake.

There were multiple vendors selling their goods from home-baked goodies to hand-crafted wood cribbage boards, all locally made.

Another fun attraction for rendezvous guests was purchasing a hand-crafted card from the general store and having it delivered to a loved one via the Pony Express, with the help of a postage stamp.

The Pony Express operated for only 18 months between April 1860 and October 1861, but nevertheless has become synonymous with the Old West. 

From St. Joseph, Mo. to Sacramento, Calif., the Pony Express could deliver a letter faster than ever before, according to a Pony Express volunteer. 

In the era before electronic communication, the Pony Express was the thread which tied East to West.

Every year, the Pony Express reride travels through Wyoming, as volunteer riders travel non-stop to make the 10-day trip from Missouri to California every June.

Concluding the Western heritage event, guests had the opportunity to listen to gospel music and attend Cowboy Church before the sheep wagons packed up and hit the trail home.

To keep the spirit of the West alive, donations can be made to the Glenrock Sheepherders Rendezvous via Facebook.

Melissa Anderson is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.