SOUTHERN WYOMING - Montana and Wyoming - page 684

Mid-Summer's Eve Celebration
Held each year on June 21, the summer solstice, Mid-Summer's Eve Celebration (Crim-
son Dawn Park, 1620 Crimson Dawn Rd., 307/235-9311) is a unique event that showcases
the history and spirit of Casper. Marked by a bonfire that everyone is invited to throw red
dirt into, in hopes of seeing their fondest wish granted, the event dates back to 1930 and
celebrates the witches, spirits, and trolls said to inhabit the mountain.
Beartrap Summer Festival
Undoubtedly one of the best outdoor music festivals in the region, the Beartrap Summer
Festival (307/266-5252, www.beartrapsummerfestival.com ) brings Casper Mountain to life
with bluegrass music the first weekend in August. The event hosts big-name bands and mu-
sicians for two days mid-morning-dusk. Rounding out the festival are musical workshops,
an arts and crafts marketplace, an open-air food court, and supervised children's activities.
Pets are welcome on a leash. Discounted tickets can be purchased in advance by phone.
SHOPPING
A central shopping locale for much of the region, Casper has every sort of shopping ima-
ginable, from big malls and shopping centers to box stores and downtown boutiques. The
largest facility in the region by far is the Eastridge Mall (601 SE Wyoming Blvd., 307/
265-9392, www.shopeastridge.com ) , anchored by Target, Best Buy, Macy's, Bed Bath and
Beyond, Sears, and J. C. Penney.
There are some smaller stores too that should not be missed. Blackberry Mountain
Gift Shop (251 S. Center St., 307/234-6605, www.bbmgs.com , 10am-5pm Tues.-Fri.,
10am-2pm Sat.) is a quirky little place with everything from home decor and seasonal
decorations to candles, jewelry, and incredible china. A terrific place to find work by
local artists is the Casper Artists Guild/West Wind Art Gallery (1040 W. 15th St., 307/
265-2655, www.casperbusiness.com/ArtistsGuild , noon-4pm Tues.-Sat.), which hosts reg-
ular shows in a variety of media as well as active workshops for artists (including regular
Sunday afternoon painting sessions). The gift shop is an excellent place to find one-of-a-
kind works by local artists.
For a sweet tooth, the best spot in Casper is Donells Candies (201 E. 2nd St., 307/
234-6283 or 877/461-2009, www.donellschocolates.com , 9:30am-5:30pm Mon.-Fri.,
10am-4pm Sat.), which has been churning out delectable handmade chocolates, savory
nuts, and all flavors of popcorn since 1956. The store is still owned and operated by the
founding family, and with brisk Internet sales it has found admirers the world over.