Casper Events

* Author C.J. Box will sign copies of his new Joe Picket novel "Below Zero" at 6 p.m. WEDNESDAY at Ralph's Bookstore. Box is an Edgar Award-winning author who lives in Cheyenne.

FREE * "Impressions on Wyoming," a summer lecture series'at Fort Casper Museum is at 7 p.m. WEDNESDAYS through July 22.

- JULY 8: Phil Roberts, associate professor of history at the University of Wyoming, will discuss the role of oil exploration, drilling and refining in the development of Wyoming's culture, society and institutions, with an emphasis on Central Wyoming.

-- JULY 15: Julianne Couch, associate lecturer of English at the University of Wyoming, presents "Jukeboxes and Jackalopes" which explores bars as places of storytelling and community.

- JULY 22: Danny Walker, Wyoming's assistant state archaeologist and an adjunct professor of archaeology at the University of Wyoming, will highlight Legend Rock State Petroglyph Site and twenty years of archaeological investigation.

Info: Call Erin Rose at 235-8462, {M3www.fortcasparwyoming.com.

Casper Family

* See Casper's famous albino deer now on display at the Werner Wildlife Museum. The deer passed away several months ago after being spotted around the area for years. It has been professionally mounted and will be part of the museum's permanent display.

* Three shows will play daily TUESDAYS through THURSDAYS this summer at the Casper Planetarium, 904 N. Poplar St. "The Little Star that Could," shows at 11 a.m.; "Two Small Pieces of Glass," shows at 7 p.m.; and "Spirits from the Sky," shows at 8 p.m. Cost: $2.50 per person. Info: 577-0310. Early show is recommended for families with children 3 and up. Evening shows are recommended for families with children 6 and up due to technical material.

* Three shows will play daily FRIDAYS this summer at the Casper Planetarium, 904 N. Poplar St. "Wilber's Big Adventer," shows at 11 a.m.; "Ancient Horizons," shows at 7 p.m.; and "Dawn of the Space Age," shows at 8 p.m. Cost: $2.50 per person. Info: 577-0310. Early show is recommended for families with children 3 and up. Evening shows are recommended for families with children 6 and up due to technical material.

* Three shows will play daily SATURDAYS this summer at the Casper Planetarium, 904 N. Poplar St. "Secret of the Cardboard Rocket," shows at 11 a.m.; "Astromyths," shows at 7 p.m.; and "Black Holes," shows at 8 p.m. Cost: $2.50 per person. Info: 577-0310. Early show is recommended for families with children 3 and up. Evening shows are recommended for families with children 6 and up due to technical material.

* Fireworks Festival 2009 is SATURDAY on the grounds of the Casper Events Center. Includes a beer garden, vendor booths and music by Tabor-Dame, John Hapsom and more. Fireworks start at 10 p.m. Cost: $10 per vehicle, $5 per motorcycle, $5 per bicycle and pedestrian or free with your Wyoming Cavalry Tickets in hand. Tickets and more information available at the Casper Events Center, 307-577-3030, 800-442-2256 or online at {M3www.CasperEventsCenter.com.

* The National Historic Trails Interpretive Center celebrates the Oregon Statehood Sesquicentennial and Casper's 120th Birthday with special exhibits beginning SATURDAY and continuing through OCT. 10. Info: 261-7700.

* 2009 Central Wyoming Fair Parade begins at 10 a.m. TUESDAY in downtown Casper. This year's theme is "Legends of Wyoming." The famed Clydesdale horses will be in the parade, the first time in 11 years. Info: Call Tom Phillips at 472-4926.

FREE * Solar Observations, 1 to 3 p.m. JULY 11 on the yard of the south entrance of the Natrona County Library. Members of the Central Wyoming Astronomical Soceity will set up their solar telescopes that allow you to see the sun without hurting your eyes. Info: www.cw-as.com.

* The Natrona County Rockhounds Club presents its 62nd annual Rock, Gem and Mineral Show from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. JULY 11 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. JULY 12 at the Best Western Ramkota Hotel, 800 N. Poplar St. Includes silent auctions, raffles, displays, vendors and grab bags. Feature rough rock, rock hounding equipment, lapidary supplies and finished jewelry. Cost: $3 adult, children younger than 11 and seniors over 65 are free. Vendor space available for $75. Info: Call Stephanie Anderson at or email {M3cina31373@aol.com.

FREE * * Dark-sky observation, 9 to 11 p.m. JULY 18 at Bessemer Bend Historical Site. Members of the Central Wyoming Astronomical Society will set up telescopes and help people pick out objects in the night sky. Info and directions: www.cw-as.com.

* Casper Balloon Round-Up is JULY 24-26. To sponsor a hot-air balloon or for more information, call Chanel McCash or Mike Nighswonger at 265-0200.

FREE * Fort Caspar Museum's Youth Chautauqua Camp is looking for history detectives, actors and storytellers. The camp is JULY 20-25, space limited to 30 students in fifth through eighth grades. Campers will perform JULY 24-25 during the Fort Caspar Frontier Festival. Register at www.fortcasparwyoming.com or stop by the museum at 4001 Fort Caspar Road. Info: Call Erin Rose at 235-8462.

FREE * Fort Caspar's Frontier Festival is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. JULY 25. Includes presentations of historic Wyoming characters by Casper youth, traditional music by the Wyoming Fiddlers Association, the Fort Phil Kearny Frontier Regulars, blacksmithing demonstrations, mountain man and pioneer camps, Chautauqua performances, a craft fair and more. Info: 307- 235-8462.

FREE * * Moon and Planets observation, 8 p.m. JULY 25 at the Casper Planetarium. Members of the Central Wyoming Astronomical Society will set up telescopes and help people pick out objects in the night sky. Info: www.cw-as.com.

* 2009 Museum Adventure Quest Camp, 8:30 a.m. to noon AUG. 3-7 at the Izaak Walton League, 4205 Fort Casper Road. Thirty campers get the chance to visit seven local museums: the Nicolaysen Art Museum & Discovery Center, The Science Zone, The Audubon, Fort Casper, the National History Trails Interpretive Center, Tate Geological Museum and the Wyoming Veterans' Memorial Museum. Open to students entering grades 4-7. Cost: $55 for members, $70 nonmembers. For more information or to register, call Linda Lyman at 307-235-5247 or visit www.thenic.org.

FREE * The National Historic Trails Interpretive Center's 7th Anniversary celebration is AUG. 8-9 with special presentations, music and temporary exhibits. Info: 261-7700.

FREE * Solar Observations, 2 p.m. AUG. 13 on the yard of the south entrance of the Natrona County Library. Members of the Central Wyoming Astronomical Soceity will set up their solar telescopes that allow you to see the sun without hurting your eyes. Info: www.cw-as.com.

* Natrona County School District and Mercer House present the 2009 Back to School Bash, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. AUG. 15 at the Nicolaysen Art Museum, Natrona County Public Library, Beech Street and surrounding outside areas. Businesses and nonprofits that would like a booth, or to make a donation, contact community relations at 253-5225 or e-mail communication_team@natronaschools.org.

FREE * * Dark-sky observation, 9 to 11 p.m. AUG. 15 at Bessemer Bend Historical Site. Members of the Central Wyoming Astronomical Society will set up telescopes and help people pick out objects in the night sky. Info and directions: www.cw-as.com.

* The National Historic Trails Center Foundation Celebrity Chef Cook-Off is AUG. 22. Info: 261-7700.

FREE * * Moon and Planets observation, 8 p.m. AUG. 29 at the Casper Planetarium. Members of the Central Wyoming Astronomical Society will set up telescopes and help people pick out objects in the night sky. Info: www.cw-as.com.

FREE * * The National Historic Trails Interpretive Center's Outdoor Expo Days will be SEPT. 10-12 at the Casper Events Center and the Interpretive Center. Info: 261-7700.

Wyoming Fourth

* CHEYENNE: Downtown Cheyenne Fourth of July Celebration begins at 5:30 p.m. TODAY and at 9 a.m. SATURDAY. Features Harley Davidson Motorcycle show, live music, a parade, and more. Info: 307-632-3905.

FREE * LANDER: Fireworks show TODAY at 2241 Sinks Canyon Road, home of Dr. Bills. Info: 307-332-3892, info@landerchamber.org

Free * DUBOIS: Fourth of July town celebration, parade, duck races, fireworks is SATURDAY. Info: 307-455-2556, www.duboiswyoming.org.

FREE * FORT LARAMIE HISTORIC SITE: Indepence Day celebrations include frontier games, a Native American warrior program, an equestrian drill team and Living History demonstrations. Events begin at 9:30 a.m. SATURDAY with a military flag raising ceremony and cannon firing. A 38 gun salute is at noon. Info: 307-837-2221, www.nps.gov/fola.

* RIVERTON: 1838 Mountain Man Rendezvous goes through SUNDAY. Info: www.1838rendezvous.com.

Wyoming Events

FREE * LANDER: 16 Annual International Climbers' Festival is JULY 8-12. Info:

climbersfestival@gmail.com, www.climbersfestival.org.

DUBOIS: "Life in a High-Rise Village," a presentation by Richard Adams, project director for the Office of the State Archeologist, 7 p.m. JULY 10 at Dubois Museum. Covers the discovery of a prehistoric Indian people living above 10,000 feet.

* GREEN RIVER: Green River Wyoming Pond and Garden Tour is 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. JULY 18. Info: www.greenriverpondclub.com.

* SOUTH PASS CITY: Tours of Carissa Mine will be JULY 18, 25; and AUG. 1, 15 and 22. See the Mill House, the newly construction Head Frame and other relics from the historic mine and mill. Make reservations by calling 307-332-3684. Info: www.southpasscity.com.

* CHEYENNE: Molesworth: Selections from the Permanent Collection, is on display through OCT. 24 at the Wyoming State Museum. Features 28 pieces of 1930s era furniture designed by Thomas Canada Molesworth. The pieces are from the historic Ranch A located near Beulah in northeastern Wyoming. Info: 307-777-7022.

Wyoming Family

* FT. WASHAKIE: Eastern Shoshone Indian Days Treaty Reenactment is TODAY. Info: www.easternshoshone.net.

FREE * LANDER: 115th Pioneer Days are TODAY and SATURDAY. Parade is 10 a.m. SATURDAY, Buffalo barbeque is at noon and fireworks are at the fairgrounds.

SOUTH PASS CITY: Gold Rush Days are JULY 11-12 at the South Pass City State Historic Site, 32 miles south and west of Lander on Highway 28. Activities include a comedy shoot-out at high noon; mining demonstrations; and one of the best fireworks displays in the state at dusk on July 14. Fun starts at 9 a.m. daily. Cost: $3 adults, children 7 and older. Info: 307-332-3684 or email jellis@state.wy.us.

* RIVERTON: The Riverton Hot Air balloon rally is JULY 17-19 at Central Wyoming College. Info: www.rivertonchamber.org.

* CHEYENNE: 29th season of the Cheyenne Street Trolley now open with tours offered 7 days a week through late SEPTEMBER. Expert guides share colorful stories and lighthearted historical information every 90 minutes from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. On weekends, the Trolley will offer its traditional 2-hour tour, 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Saturdays, 1:30 p.m. Sundays. Cost: $10 adults, $5 children ages 2-12. Get your tickets at the Visitor Center in the historic Depot, 15th and Capitol Avenue. Call 778-3133 for information.

* EVANSTON: "On the Road and in the Shops: Railroad Workers in Evanston" now open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays through FEB. 28, 2010 at the Uinta County Museum, 1020 Front St. The exhibit tells the stories of the train crews, section workers, dispatch crews and shop workers from 1870, when the Union Pacific opened its first facility, until 1971, when the Reclamation Plant closed down. The exhibit is based on a series of oral history interviews conducted in 2008, along with photographs and artifacts from the Museum's collection. Several families and individuals loaned items to the Museum for the exhibit. A DVD in the exhibit, created by Evanston High School media students, shows retired railroaders telling their own stories. For more information about the railroad exhibit or any museum program, call 307-789-8248 or e-mail museum@uintanet.com.