Fossilfest is on Friday and Saturday, June 16 and 17 in downtown Kemmerer. It’s a tradition that has brought the community together for decades.

The event has gone by many names, including Lions Club Day, and Turn of the Century Days, but in 2000, the committee decided to update the theme to fit the community.

“One thing that really makes Kemmerer unique is fossils,” Deb Archibald, former chair of the Fossilfest committee, said. “It just fits perfectly.”

The 2017 Fossilfest theme is Jurassic Park. 

“The community has always been so supportive of this event,” Archibald said. “It’s easy to just sit home and watch Netflix, but we guarantee if you come, you’ll have fun.”

Fossilfest 2017 kicks off Friday, June 16, at 1:00 p.m., with a swim party at the Archie Neil Park and Outdoor Pool. Admission to the pool will be $1.

Brynn Robinson is the Fossilfest advertising coordinator. 

“We’ll have water balloon baseball, a downhill waterslide, belly slide kickball, and pool games where kids can dive for quarters and compete doing tricks,” Robinson said.

Other water games include water-gun tag, a bubble machine and an obstacle course.

At 2:00 p.m. the vendor booths open in Triangle Park.

Camille Plowman is the Fossilfest chairman and entertainment coordinator.

“This year we have 22 vendors coming,” Plowman said. “We will have 3 food trucks, like Carl’s BBQ, the famous corn dog truck, Cajun Concessions, and Chuck’s Burgers.  We will also have our local favorite Navajo Tacos and a homemade doughnut booth.”

In addition to food, Plowman said the other vendors will offer crafts, jewelry, homemade soaps and lotions, books and, of course, a few fossils.

At 6:00 p.m., head over to the Dodgeball Tournament and Family Fun Night in Triangle Park.

“We’ve got lots of new games this year,” Robinson said.

Children are encouraged to dress up in dinosaur costumes to get free admission to Family Fun Night. There will be a bounce house and a petting zoo. Friday night closes out with a concert by the Blazin’ Aces Band at 7:30.

Saturday’s activities begin with a 5K race starting at 8:00 a.m. at the Victory Theater, and a 3-on-3 basketball tournament.

“It’s always fun to see parents and kids run together and then race each other across the finish line,” Robinson said.

The Fossilfest parade will be led by the American Legion Post 55, and any Kemmerer or Diamondville veterans who would like to participate in the parade should meet at Kemmerer High School at 9 a.m. on Saturday. 

Prizes will be awarded for the parade’s best themed float, novelty float and performance. The parade starts at the high school parking lot and will proceed down Main Street with a final stop at Ridley’s.

After the parade, head over to Triangle Park for the cornhole tournament.

Then the Fossilfest action transitions to the Triangle Park Stage, with a performance by hypnotist Steve Meade, the Miss Tiny Fossil Pageant and shows by Tumbling with Becky and the Fossilfest dance clinic.

At 2:00 p.m., the Triangle Park Stage will host a lip synch battle.

“This was a big hit from last year,” Robinson said. “Kids just have to report to the Fossilfest booth, and then they can compete against their friends.”

At 2:30, catch the water fight on Main Street, sponsored by the Kemmerer Volunteer Fire Department.

“The water fight is a really fun tradition, and there’s a prize for the winners,” Robinson said.

Saturday evening concludes with performances by country rock bands Hearts of Steele and the Jagertown band. Attendees should bring their own chairs to catch a good seat for the shows.

“People should come to Fossilfest to have fun,” Robinson said. “It’ll be perfect weather, and they can reconnect with friends and family and support local causes.”

For a full schedule of events, check out fossilfest.org or Fossilfest on Facebook.