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Casper is a historic city in Wyoming that offers a variety of fun activities for its residents and visitors to the area. During the holiday season, you can take part in the festivities at some of the most popular local events. Downtown Casper Jingle & Mingle At the end of the November, 5150' Local is putting on the first-ever Downtown Casper Jingle & Mingle. The event is designed to kick off the holiday season in the city's historic downtown area, as well as support small businesses operating in the city. Many of these retailers will offer specials for Small Business Saturday, allowing you to get some holiday shopping done, while themed activities include a countdown to the lighting of the community Christmas tree and a downtown Christmas parade. more You can ice skate at David Street Station, which offers fun for the whole family. After the parade ends, the official after-party will take place at the Nicolaysen Art Museum. This portion of the event, titled Saint Nick at the NIC, lets you mingle with Santa Claus, find out the winner of the best float contest in the parade, and enjoy a variety of seasonal treats. Downtown Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting One of the top events around the holidays in Casper is the Downtown Christmas Parade, which is also part of the Downtown Casper Jingle & Mingle. Along the parade route, vendors pass out complimentary cookies and hot chocolate for you to enjoy. You can also shop at the local shops and boutiques while counting down to the tree lighting ceremony. This beautiful tree is placed at the center of the ice rink at David Street Station. During the parade, you'll see impressive floats that members of the Casper community have spent weeks working on to showcase their creative talents. You may even spot Santa Claus in the parade, so be sure to keep an eye out, especially if you're attending with kids. Booze & Bacon Festival If you're a fan of booze, bacon, or both, be sure to attend the Booze & Bacon Festival on December 14. This event will take place at the Casper Events Center from 1:00 until 5:00 p.m. Local restaurants will provide samples of beer and liquor, as well as bacon-focused dishes that are sure to delight your palate. Attendees will vote on their favorite beer, drink, and food dish, and the winners will receive trophies. A portion of the proceeds of ticket sales for this event will benefit Central Wyoming Hospice & Transitions. All food and beverage samples are included with the price of admission. A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage Get into the holiday spirit by buying tickets to “A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage,” a presentation that celebrates the timeless TV program and offers plenty of family-friendly fun. The show will take place on December 23 at 7:00 p.m., and it may become your family's new tradition for the holidays. As you watch Linus, Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, and the other characters, you're sure to learn more about the true meaning of Christmas. You can revel in the spirit of the holidays at any of these Casper events. Enjoy mingling with members of your community as you take advantage of the fun festivities. Image via Pixabay.com

Casper, Wyoming is a beautiful town and the perfect home base for your next holiday getaway. Whether you plan on spending the season with your friends or loved ones, there are several fun events in town to enjoy. Remember the weather gets quite cold this time of year so pack appropriately to enjoy your trip. 1. Winter Makers Market Start your holiday shopping with a look at local, handmade products. Held on Saturdays through January 2020, the Winter Makers Market is at the Good Food Hub from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It features homemade foods as well as local honey and produce. You can also look through the selections of jewelry and furniture to find the perfect, unique holiday present. Vendors accept cash, credit cards, checks, Market Bucks, and Wyoming EBT for your shopping convenience. more 2. Reindeer Relay 2019 Start the holiday season with some fun exercise the weekend before Thanksgiving at the 2019 Reindeer Relay on Sunday, November 24. This annual 5k raises money for cancer patients throughout the state of Wyoming. Registration opens at 2:30 p.m. There is a $20 registration fee. The race begins at 4 p.m. Mountain Standard Time in the Conwell Building parking lot. Come dressed in your best holiday costume. Awards for the best individual and team costumes are given out. Following the race, exchange notes and times with your fellow runners or catch up with your family over hot cocoa or Schnapps in the parking lot before more holiday fun. 3. 2019 Tree Lighting and Holiday Parade Get excited about the holidays as you watch the lights of Holiday Square come to life. The lighting is scheduled for 5 p.m. following the end of the Reindeer Relay. Make sure you arrive at least ten minutes early so you can get a good spot and follow the countdown clock. Free hot cocoa and cookies are available while they last. Pets are not encouraged at this event. The 2019 Holiday Parade takes place in downtown Casper on Sunday, November 24. It is scheduled to kick off around 6:45 p.m. This year sees a new parade route take effect. The celebration begins at Davis Street Station and ends at the corner of Second and Beech. The theme for this year is Candy Coated Christmas. Bring your blanket and claim your spot early before the crowds arrive. Parade attendees are encouraged to follow directions for parking. CATC and the bus are using a special route to make downtown access easier for the day. 4. A Charlie Brown Christmas Live Start your Christmas celebration early by enjoying a live performance of A Charlie Brown Christmas. The performance takes place on Monday, December 23, at 7 p.m. inside the Casper Events Center. The show brings this beloved cartoon to life. After the final bow, the audience is invited to sing traditional Christmas songs and carols with the cast. Don't forget your camera to capture some special memories during these events. Bring friends and family together in a picture postcard setting for fun and celebrations throughout the season. Image via Pixabay.com

The smell of popcorn, the glow of the screen, and the candy behind the glass all beckon to you. You love the excitement and anticipation of going to see the latest blockbuster action film, or the new indie release that everyone is talking about. Well here are a few great theaters in the Casper, Wyoming area you'll enjoy visiting. 1. Studio City Mesa ARQ Welcome to the next generation of movie-going. Studio City Mesa ARQ in West Casper features The Cooper, a revolutionary theater. Featuring a 64 foot wide, deeply curved screen, The Cooper's seating arrangement is designed to take full advantage of the onscreen visuals before you. more Using a state-of-the-art Meyer EXP Sound system used in high-end live productions by Cirque de Soleil, you actually feel like you are in the movie. Luxurious power reclining leather seats will keep you comfortable throughout the show. Designed after the original Cooper Theater in Denver, this modern take holds true to original architect Richard Crowther's desire of form meeting function. All you really need to know is that sitting in The Cooper and watching a movie is like nothing you've ever done before. 2. Studio City UW Plaza ARQ Studio City does it again in Laramie. This premium auditorium makes going to the movies an experience to remember. A 62 foot deeply curved screen displays the 4K digital projection system's video output, bringing the action to life before your eyes. Top-of-the-line Atmos immersive audio system by Dolby powers the sound, making every word, scream, explosion, or squealing tire reverberate like you were there. The UW Plaza theater in Laramie also has luxury power reclining seats, arranged in an arc to better enhance the visual impact of the movie. 3. Rialto Movie Palace Located in the heart of Casper's Theater District, this historic theater first opened in October, 1922. One of Casper's treasures, the Rialto has seen thousands of movies over the last century. Recent renovations include new leather reclining rockers, and the original hardwood floor has been restored to its former glory. The screen has been upgraded along with state of the art Dolby sound and projection systems. The theater has even restored the original proscenium and curtain, giving this theater a nostalgic feel, along with all the modern comforts we love. 4. Fox III $ Savers Theater For the price-conscious, the Fox III is the place to see a great movie at a great price. Located in the Theater District downtown, the Fox III offers all the hit movies. New movies usually hit the Fox III after they've been released a week or two in the other big theaters, but if you can avoid the spoilers, it's worth the wait. Wall-to-wall curved screens and Dolby Digital projection and audio systems deliver top quality movies. Comfortable high-back loveseats cradle you throughout the show and give class to this quaint little theater. So the next time you want to check out Hollywood's latest release, visit one of these fine theaters and enjoy the experience the way the moviemakers intended. And don't forget the popcorn. Image via Flickr by Ross Griff

There's always something to do in Casper, Wyoming. This fall, the town will be bustling with activities, festivals, and gatherings of all sorts. If you're looking for something interesting to do this fall, make sure you check out these six neat events coming to Casper: 1. Wyoming Photo Fest, Sept. 17-28 For a collection of the best photos from around the state, be sure to stop by the Casper Artist Guild from Sept. 17-28. The Wyoming Photo Fest calls all photographers to send in their best work. They choose the top 100 photos and put them on display at the artist guild's building for all to enjoy. They put the photos on display shortly after the deadline ends Aug. 30. The public will be allowed to vote for the best ones and they will announce the winners Sept. 20. more 2. Jazz Night, Oct. 2 Show up for the jazz or the great drinks at the Backwards Distilling Company for a great night. From 6-9 p.m., you'll be able to enjoy live jazz music from Coulter & Co. Jazz Trio. and order specialty cocktails mixed with spirits made on-site. This is a perfect date-night idea. 3. Crimes of the Heart, Oct. 11-13, 18-20 The Casper Theater Company is putting on a play called Crimes of the Heart for two weekends in October. This play will take us back to the mid-20th century to explore the lives of three sisters who explore their dysfunctional family. This tragicomedy should bring in a decent crowd, so make sure you buy your tickets ahead of time. 4. Casper Antique & Collectors Club's Super Flea, Nov. 2-3 If you love antiques and collectibles, make sure you stop by the Central Wyoming Fairgrounds from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 2-3. This flea market will bring collectors from all over to give you the opportunities to shop for that special item you've been looking for, or discover something new. 5. Craft Fair, Nov. 15-16 If you love working with your hands, plan for the Community Recreation Foundation's annual craft fair Nov. 15 from 3-8 p.m. and Nov. 16 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Over 200 booths of crafts from local artists and creators will be open to the public at the Casper Events Center. Peruse and shop pottery, jewelry, painted items, woodworks, and all sorts of hand-made items at one of the biggest craft fairs in Wyoming. 6. Downtown Christmas Parade, Nov. 23 It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Head downtown on Nov. 23 for the annual Christmas Parade. Starting at 6 p.m., you'll get the chance to see all kinds of floats and characters. No Christmas parade is complete without a visit from St. Nick himself, so make sure you bring the kids to enjoy a night of lights and music. Come together and enjoy what makes Casper the great city it is. The citizens of Casper are proud to call this town our home. Casper's citizens are always thinking of new ways to bring us together as a community and family through events like these. Image via Pixabay.com