Wyoming is a quirky state, and that’s why we love it. Many of our biggest events and festivals would draw quizzical looks in other parts of the country, but out here, they are things we look forward to all year long! The massive Elk Antler Auction in Jackson is one such event, and if you haven’t marked your calendar for Elk Fest yet, what are you waiting for? This year’s celebration will begin with a Mountain Man Rendevous kickoff, and the fun continues all day long on May 18th and 19th, 2019, in the Jackson Town Square.
Jackson’s National Elk Refuge is home to tens of thousands of majestic elk, and people visit all year long to see them in their natural habitat against the backdrop of the Tetons.
Flickr / Charles Chuck Peterson
Every spring, when the snow begins to melt, bull elk shed their antlers and begin to grow new horns.
Flickr / Diana Robinson
The National Elk Refuge hosts a day each spring for local Boy Scout troops to hike through the refuge, gathering up the antlers that lie on the ground and to get them ready for the ElkFest Antler Auction.
Vimeo / Portis Group
What began as a fundraising auction has turned into an annual weekend of festivities! Thousands come to Jackson Hole to attend the auction and kick off spring.
Vimeo / Portis Group
Though the weekend is full of live entertainment, kids games, crafts, local vendors, and more, the highlight is the auction.
Facebook / Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce
The antlers that the Scouts collected are tagged and weighed, and they go up for auction. Most buyers are artists and local businesses looking for unique decor.
Vimeo / Portis Group
Eighty percent of the proceeds from the Elk Antler Auction go to the National Elk Refuge, and local Boy Scout Troops receive the other twenty percent.
Vimeo / Portis Group
At the end of the weekend, the High Noon Chili Cookoff is the best way to wrap up the festivities! Try locally made Elk and Bison chili and decide who makes the best in town.
Facebook / Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce Check out a video of ElkFest below Elk Fest In Jackson Hole, Wyoming from Portis Group on Vimeo.
Find out all you need to know about ElkFest on the Jackson Chamber of Commerce page here.
Flickr / Charles Chuck Peterson
Flickr / Diana Robinson
Vimeo / Portis Group
Facebook / Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce
Check out a video of ElkFest below Elk Fest In Jackson Hole, Wyoming from Portis Group on Vimeo.
Elk Fest In Jackson Hole, Wyoming from Portis Group on Vimeo.
Speaking of Antlers – did you know that the world’s largest Antler arch is in Wyoming? No, we’re not talking about the Jackson Town Square Arches! The Best Roadside Attraction In Wyoming Is Hiding In One Tiny Town and you’re going to want to plan a road trip.
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