SOUTHERN WYOMING - Montana and Wyoming - page 683

Casper Mountain. She hosted a summer solstice party in 1930 that would become the Mid-
Summer's Eve Celebration that continues today. Singlehandedly, Neal Forsling created a
mythical culture on the mountain that persists today.
Forsling donated her land and cabin to Natrona County in 1973. She died a few years
later, and the county turned her home into a wonderful museum named for the topic of stor-
ies she created about the mountain: The Crimson Dawn Museum (1620 Crimson Dawn
Rd., 307/235-9311, 10am-7pm Sat.-Sun. June 21-mid-Sept.) is at the center of the Mid-
Summer's Eve Celebration.
Somewhat surprisingly, there is also a great little restaurant atop the mountain. The
M Trailhead Lodge (8455 Casper Mountain Rd., 307/473-8707, 7am-7pm Sun.-Thurs.,,
7am-8pm Fri.-Sat., $10-30) serves killer breakfasts, hearty lunches, and delicious dinners
in a charmingly rustic setting. The hand-dipped ice cream is an excellent post-hike treat.
ENTERTAINMENT AND EVENTS
Stage III Community Theatre
Performing in an intimate theater-in-the-round, Casper's Stage III Community Theatre
(900 N. Center St., 307/234-0946, www.stageiiitheatre.org ) is an entirely volunteer organ-
ization that produces six productions annually between September and June. The company
has been entertaining Casper for more than 30 years, with offerings ranging from classic
dramas to mysteries and comedies.
Rodeos
Rodeo is serious business in this part of the state—or anywhere in Wyoming, for that matter.
One of the biggest is the College National Finals Rodeo (509/529-4402, www.cnfr.com ) ,
held annually at the Casper Events Center (800/442-2256) in mid-June. More than 400 cow-
boys and cowgirls from 100 universities and colleges compete for champion status in saddle
bronc riding, bareback riding, bull riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, team roping,
barrel racing, breakaway roping, and goat tying.
Another big rodeo in Casper is the PRCA Rodeo held annually in conjunction with
the Central Wyoming Fair (1700 Fairgrounds Rd., 307/235-5775 or 888/225-2600,
www.centralwyomingfair.com ) in mid-July. The fair has been in operation since 1904 and
comes with all the hoopla and community spirit you'd expect.