Event coordinator has big plans for fairgrounds

"Why not?"

Before Crook County's newly minted event coordinator turns down any opportunity to make more use of the fairgrounds, that's the question she wants to hear answered.

Why can't we bring Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PCRA) rodeo events to Sundance?

Why can't we have the circus come to town, or give the community a chance to come face-to-face with a sea lion?

Why can't we host festivals and seasonal events, evening dances or concerts, or create a permanent community hangout space for young people?

Why can't we introduce pig racing as a new spectacle for bikers on Wyoming Wednesday?

Jasmyne Bryant took the position less than a month ago, but confesses she already has a list of ideas that's creeping towards the end of its second page.

Spend less than five minutes in her company and you'll realize just how many activities could fit perfectly in the county's event space – many of them so obvious once you hear her describe them that you can't help but wonder how they aren't already happening.

Because why not?

New role, new ideas

Bryant's position as Crook County Event Coordinator is a little different to the role it replaced. The fair secretary traditionally answered to the Crook County Fair Board and was a part-time job that concentrated mostly on organizing the annual fair week.

When it came time to advertise for a new person to take the reins at the fair office, the county commissioners decided it was a prime opportunity to expand the vision.

As event coordinator, a full-time role with more duties than were assigned to the secretary, Bryant will be part of the county's Facilities Department, working with Facilities Director Larry Schommer and under the purview of the commission.

Bryant's mission will be to turn the fairgrounds into a year-round entertainment center for the whole county, utilizing all available space and facilities to introduce events and gatherings that appeal to as many of Crook County's residents as possible.

"She will be more in charge of the grounds and the events," Schommer explains. "This was the perfect opportunity to do it."

Bryant will still take care of the fair board, but as a client rather than a boss. Meanwhile, she will be seeking ways to make more and better use of the fairgrounds themselves.

"It goes back to when I first got hired on," Schommer explains. At that time, he was asked to take on management of the fairgrounds. "Before, the fair board was in charge of these buildings."

With the make-up of that board changing and its members serving on a voluntary business, it was tough to maintain a cohesive idea of what the fairgrounds should be while also keeping the commission involved. With Schommer's department in charge, a coordinated, five-year plan is possible.

"They want to see the facility used," Schommer says of the commissioners. "We're paying electric and bills all year round and it's not being used, so let's see what we can do to get it used."

World of possibilities

Bryant started her list in early September and hasn't stopped adding to it since.

"I've always been a part of the ag industry – I grew up riding horses, rodeo, participating in fairs and that kind of thing," she says.

When she saw the job posted, it fit with her interests and desire to see county fair promoted for the next generations, so she figured it was worth putting herself forward. Though young, she knew she had the passion, the ideas and the drive to grow into the role.

She wouldn't know if that's what the county was looking for unless she tried. So why not?

"She was exactly what we were looking for, to be honest with you," Schommer smiles. "Somebody who is young with experience and has the ambition to step out and go after some things. Some things maybe are too expensive, we don't know – we have no idea until we start taking a swing at it."

In a nutshell, the ambition of which Schommer speaks is to bring more experiences to Sundance for those who cannot or prefer not to travel to them.

"I like seeing events, but as much as we all like traveling and going to see things, it does wear on you having to go outside your normal hour travel time," Bryant says.

"Our fairground is more than just rodeo and roping. It could be more than that, and I want to bring that here because there's not a lot of things outside this county that people can experience without spending a lot of money."

Bryant acknowledges that the fairgrounds aren't laying fallow all year round, but says the county could build on what's happening there significantly.

"Until I got into this position, I didn't realize how much the fairground is used, but it's not publicized on what goes here and I think we can help some of our events advertise to let people know," she says.

"We need to be proud of our fair and I think we need to promote it, get people interested in it and bring different events."

All ages, all interests

Bryant wants there to be something for everyone, whether you're a hunter or biker who visits Crook County or a year-round resident who would appreciate more choices for entertainment.

She could talk for hours about all the fun that the fairgrounds could bring, from holiday movies in the shooting sports building to a golden egg Easter hunt, pumpkin catapulting after Halloween, mountain man vendor fairs, swing dances, FFA and 4-H events, gathering spaces for clubs, STEM classes in which older kids mentor younger students in a weekly science-based activity or Pinewood derby car races.

"Ninja Nation is a competitive jungle gym – it's an offshoot of American Ninja Warrior," she says of one idea she's already looking into.

"We could bring someone who's been on there to promote and coach through the obstacle course."

The fairgrounds could be used for weddings and club meetings, she says, or for kid-specific activities such as learn-and-grow or girls and boys clubs.

'I feel like there are adults in this community that want to do that, they just don't know where to do it and who to start with. Well, you can start with me, because I have buildings that I can do something with – just let me know what you want to do," she says.

Bryant would also like to look at the possibility of enhancing events that already take place, such as Burnout Wednesday.

"Why can't we put something down here for them to stop at?" she asks.

That something, she thinks, could be pig racing. From little pigs to pot-bellied giants, it's a spectacle with plenty of entertainment value.

Of course, bikers tend to prefer events they can enjoy with a beer in hand, and there's a common perception that alcohol is prohibited on the grounds. Actually, says Schommer, that's not the case.

"People see the signs that alcoholic beverages are not allowed, but I think that's mostly for fair time when kid stuff is going on," Bryant says.

She suggests setting up a beer garden or some other designated area for alcohol during events such as music concerts, and utilizing wristbands to make sure anyone drinking is over 21.

Not every idea will involve Bryant reaching out to vendors and hosts. The county has received plenty of emails from event organizers who have already expressed interest in coming here, she says.

"I know money is always going to be involved and we probably didn't have the budget to afford them, but why don't we look at it for the future or pass it on to someone else?" she says.

Funding the fun

Some of Bryant's ideas may seem financially far-fetched for the moment, but she has ideas for bulking up the budget. Sponsorships, for example, or partnering with the schools on the more educational events.

It may also be possible to partner on cost with Campbell or Weston county and bring an attraction that would spend time in each place, she suggests.

Hiring out the fairgrounds for events such as rodeo will also help to raise capital that can then be spent on other projects, she continues.

"My dad is a huge proponent of PRCA rodeo – he was part of it when he was younger and he likes youth getting involved in it. He watches it every single week – if he's not home, he has it recorded," she says.

"My dad said, Crook County is one of few counties that don't have a PRCA rodeo in Wyoming. We're literally one of the main traveling passes for people to come through to the next PRCA rodeo, why couldn't we have a pit stop?"

Eventually, Bryant hopes to be successful enough for two or three events per month to take place at the fairgrounds, ranging from big to small. Because her focus is on making sure there's something for everyone, she'd love to hear from members of the community.

"I'm open," she says. "I'm not going to know what people want unless they come talk to me."

Bryant welcomes anyone with ideas to visit her office or give her a call at the fair office. If she's not available, there's a dropbox just outside where you can leave her a note.

Maybe your idea turns out not possible, but don't let that stop you from asking Bryant to give it a look.

Because why not?