First Friday fun at Triangle Park continued on Friday, August 3. Renee Hunzie, Emmarie Scherr, Jolene Bartlett, Piper Nielson and Torey Nielson enjoyed listening to the music of Rizzlata from Rock Springs. The children danced and ate hot dogs from Sage Lanes Grill while adults relaxed and shopped the vendors’ wares at the park. (GAZETTE PHOTO / Michelle Tibbetts)

KEMMERER — Now that another Oyster Ridge Music Festival has come and gone, many of us wish it wasn’t over. We miss the music, food and fun. Well, we’re in luck. Triangle Park came alive once again last Friday night for a First Friday celebration hosted by the Kemmerer-Diamondville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Frontier Arts Council. Families and friends gathered together listening to Rizzlata, a two-man band from Rock Springs, as several local vendors lined the grassy park offering activities, crafts and food from Sage Lanes and Daily Knead.

This was the second First Friday event held this year, and the turnout was great. Several families set up blankets and chairs and enjoyed each other’s company as the kids danced in front of the stage. If shopping for crafts is your thing, First Friday offers that. Jodi Dillree’s crafts had a wide selection of painted wooden home décor to browse through. There was even a table filled with colorful handmade scarfs to help get ready for the cooler temperatures in style.

Everyone can always use a little sparkle in their life as well, right? Bead Drop by Jane, owned by Jane Hammond, had a huge selection of bracelets and necklaces to satisfy anybody’s taste. Jane also offered an array of healing stones handcrafted into charms and pendants that she explained can help one find balance and positive energy.

If do-it-yourself crafts are your go-to activity, Harley’s Crafts had it all. From little hand-cut wooden bunnies to buffalos and dragons, you were bound to find something that caught your eye.

Fossil Basin Mineralogical Society’s Don Stuart presented a plethora of information regarding gems and minerals at his interactive station. There were no “do not touch” signs at this booth. Kids and adults alike could dig right into piles of petrified wood fragments, examining their delicate detail and even take home a sample or two. 

Stuart also had pyrite, and even specimens of a newly found opal from Carbon County that glows bright green under a black light. If these earthly gems excite you, be sure to join the FBMS club. The club meets every 3rd Wednesday of the month at the log cabin from 6:00 to 7:00 pm. Call Don at 505-427-7146 for more information.

Fossil Basin Mineralogical Society’s Don Stuart presented gems at First Friday. (GAZETTE PHOTO / Michelle Tibbetts) 

Kemmerer’s Scherr Chiropractic Clinic offered educational information regarding his new practice. They invited everyone to their upcoming workshop and back to school special that offers free screening and backpack safety checks. Check out their Facebook page for more information on the clinic, scheduled for August 18.

Who doesn’t want to learn to reduce stress? Robin Leming from Crafter’s Cottage taught First Friday attendees how to make stress balls. Anyone was welcome to come by and build their own stress ball, made from balloons and birdseed, for free.

Colter Nielson was excited to make his very own stress ball at First Friday on August 3 in Triangle Park. Robin Leming from the Crafters Cottage helped attendees make the craft. (GAZETTE PHOTO / Michelle Tibbetts)

The Chamber has one more First Friday scheduled for September 7.

Then it’s Oktoberfest on the weekend of October 6. Be sure to come down and enjoy the last few days of summer. Bring a chair and some friends. You are bound to find something fun on First Friday!

Rock Springs band Rizzlata performed at First Friday in Triangle Park on August 3. (GAZETTE PHOTO / Michelle Tibbetts)