Refuge Centennial Celebration Ready

Final touches are being put on the plans for the National Elk Refuge Centennial Celebration beginning Friday morning.  The day and the weekend to follow are intended to coincide with the anniversary of when an Act of Congress set aside lands for a winter game reserve in Wyoming south of Yellowstone National park.  That act was passed August 10, 1912.  The centennial activities begin with a program on the visitor center lawn with dignitaries expected to include Wyoming Governor Matt Mead who says he is looking forward to the event with memories of his own. Other dignitaries are to include US Fish and Wildlife Director Dan Ashe and Regional Director Steve Guertin and the program will include music, brief speaking presentations and a short performance by Theodore Roosevelt impersonator Case Hicks.  Activities begin at 10:30 sharp.  Later in the day, there will be a special children’s program and some children ages 5 to 12 will receive prizes including a limited number of teddy bears.    Other activities include a presentation from the Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum and a bicycle ride and free barbecue from Friends of Pathways.  A full schedule of the activities may be found at the National Elk Refuge website.