TORRINGTON – Now the Fourth of July is over, and summer has hit its midpoint, it can seem like everyone is just counting the days until school is back in session. However, there are still many kids’ activities, along with several family-friendly events, still going on throughout the community. 

Summer reading is still going on at the Goshen County Library. Kids will be able to participate in the summer program and earn prizes through the rest of the summer. Summer reading kids meet on Wednesdays at 10 a.m. 

“We will only have two more summer readings here on Wednesdays, but then we’ll also have Maker Monday every Monday; that won’t stop,” Goshen County Library Director Cristine Braddy said. “So, every Monday afternoon people can come in and do crafts that’ll go through the summer through the school year. We also have our iPads with Minecraft and stuff like that, which the kids really like.”

To participate in the summer reading program, parents can download the Beanstack app, find the library and register. After tracking reading, the app will track the badges and tickets for prizes. 

“We have a scavenger hunt that is always available inside the library,” Braddy continued. “We also have our story walks.”

The story walks are located in Torrington, Lingle, Yoder and Fort Laramie. Torrington’s story walk is located along the walking path in town from East C Street and East 27th Avenue to West C Street and West 27th Avenue. Story walks are changed regularly and are along the path all year long. 

Other upcoming events include an art camp, a stargazing program, park events, the county fair and a color run. 

The Southeast Wyoming Artists Association is holding an art camp for kids on July 17 from 21 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. This camp is for ages 10 through 15. The cost is $20 per person. 

Registration forms are available at Torrington Office Supply or by calling 307-640-4002. Registration is due Thursday, July 13.

On July 15, the Fort Laramie National Historic Site is hosting a stargazing program at 8:30 p.m. Attendees will get to “walk among the stars” on the historic parade ground. Participants are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on, insect repellent and a flashlight. This event is free. 

The Lions Club will be hosting its “Festival of Sight” event. This event July 22 from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Pioneer Park. This event will include vendors, a car show, bounce houses, waterslides, cornhole and horseshoes. 

At this event, Open Barrel Brewing Company will be catering from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Gremlin Motorsports will be hosting their second annual “Festival of Sight Car Show” from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

The 2023 Goshen County Fair, “Dancing with the Steers,” will be in full swing from July 29 to Aug. 5. Along with the regular fair shows, there will also be other fair events. These events include the Rubber Check Race on July 29 at 6 p.m., mutton bustin’ and pig wrestling on Aug. 1 at 7 p.m., fair parade on Aug. 3 at 10 a.m. and the ranch rodeo on Aug. 3 at 1 p.m. 

A full event schedule can be found at goshencounty.org.

The Torrington Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary will be hosting “Stop, Drop & Run/Walk: 5K Color Run” on Saturday, July 29. Check-in begins at 8 a.m. in the Jirdon Park parking lot. The trail for the run will be the walking path that goes through town. The cost for participation is $25 per person and children five and under are free. 

Those interested can find the pre-register form on the Goshen Economic Development Facebook page. 

The Torrington Police Department will be hosting “National Night Out 2023” on Tuesday, Aug. 1 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Jirdon Park. It will be a community event with food and family fun. 

The town of Yoder will be hosting “Yoder Days 2023” on Saturday, Aug. 12 from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Main Street in Yoder. This event will include local vendors, a car show, live music, park activities, a bounce house and pulled pork supper. 

The schedule of events can be found on the Town of Yoder’s Facebook page. 

To get updates on other events going on in Torrington and the surrounding county, follow the Goshen Economic Development Facebook page.