Compiled by SALLY ANN SHURMUR

Star-Tribune staff writer

The 2008 Natrona County Juneteenth Celebration, commemorating the end of slavery, will begin at 4 p.m. today at Riverview Park in north Casper at the end of McKinley Street. Sponsored by the Wyoming Juneteenth Education Committee and Natrona County Diversity Task Force, the event is free and open to the community.

Enjoy free barbecue, participate in volleyball, basketball and horseshoe games, and enter to win the best 1865 costume contest.

Local vocalists Mary Jackson, LaWanda Garcia and Soldiers of the Light will entertain, as well as gospel singer, songwriter and recording artist Ron Hughes.

Juneteenth symbolizes the end of slavery and has come to mean to African Americans what Independence Day illustrates for all Americans, freedom.

For more information, call Pastor William Pierce at 267-3902 or 237-0831.

The all-women Chick's Run to benefit the Self Help Center leaves for Sheridan at 8 a.m., from Casper Mountain Motorsports at the corner of CY and Pheasant Dr. All women are invited and do not need to ride a motorcycle to join in the fun. The group returns to Casper on Sunday. Festivities on the way include a poker run with stops in Casper, Kaycee, Buffalo and Story; lunch in Buffalo and dinner and entertainment in Sheridan tonight. For more information, call 259-9092 or 267-3072.

One of the most anticipated events associated with the CNFR is the NIRA Fashion Show at the Ramada Plaza Riverside from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be a luncheon (with a variety of complimentary wines), live and silent auctions and gift bags.

The $30 ticket price supports the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Foundation's funding of scholarships, injured rodeo athletes, historical preservation of collegiate rodeo memorabilia and wellness activities for NIRA members.

Numerous benefit garage sales are set, including:

*Mended Hearts, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., First and Wilson;

*Horseshoe Bar parking lot, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., 7515 W. Yellowstone;

*I-Reach 2, 1640 E. E St., call 265-8086;

*Monroe Robertson Young Ambassadors band trip to Europe, 35 Sagebrush;

*St. Vincent de Paul, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 301 E. H Street.

The 23rd annual Art Pierce Memorial Golf Tournament to benefit the Heart Center of Wyoming is today. This is a two-person, best-ball format with flights for men, women and couples. The tournament will be held at the Casper Municipal Golf Course with a shot-gun start at 7:30 a.m. Registration is $100 per person and registration forms can be picked up at Casper Municipal Golf Course or by calling Cliff or Jean Davies at 265-4878 or 262-9282.

Money from this tournament benefits people in this community who might need heart procedures or tests that they otherwise could not afford.

Underdog Basketball presents "BACKBEAT," a Beatles retrospective at 7 p.m., at Durham Hall in the Aley Fine Arts Center at Casper College.

Tickets are available at Poverty Resistance, 450 S. Wolcott. Individual admission is $5. Group rates are also available. For more information, call Mary Ann at 232-8725. Proceeds go to support Underdog Basketball's summer youth basketball program.

Painted Past Productions presents a tour of the Glenrock Cemetery at 8:30 p.m. All those interested in history of the cemetery, history of Glenrock citizens, and anyone who would like to see the cemetery at night, take pictures and hear stories of the unusual are invited to take the tour.

Wear comfortable shoes and take a camera. Cost is $25 per person. Reservations are required. Call 267-7243.

On Sunday, the seventh annual Lawdogs v. Cowboys charity challenge shoot is at Stuckenhoff Shooters Complex. Proceeds go to the 4-H shooting sports program. Cowboy Single Action Shooters challenge the Natrona County law enforcement officers to a shootout. It's modern, automatic weapons v. Old West guns. Visitors are welcome. Lunch will be provided by 4-H kids for $5. Shooter's fee is $12. Shootout is at 11 a.m.

For more information, call Dave Kinghorn at 235-9282; Ben Britton at 258-3979 or Richie Randel at 235-8278.

The Puffin Art Gallery hosts a live auction/dispersal sale of all of its "owned" inventory, 75 framed pieces and 100 prints, 1 to 4 p.m., at the Atrium Plaza, 201 E. Second Street. Light snacks and drinks will be available; doors open at noon.

Reach Community News editor Sally Ann Shurmur at (307) 266-0520; sallyann.shurmur@trib.com or see her profile and blog at my.trib.com/Sal/blog