“Is this Fort Laramie? How many more miles ’til Yellowstone? Are we almost to Denver?” Such questions are asked often at the Laramie Area Visitor Center, located at 210 East Custer. Whether Laramie was their ultimate destination or they were just travelling through, over 2,300 people from all fifty states and even across the world stopped by the Visitor Center in 2011. After all, who wouldn’t want to experience the real west with a cosmopolitan flair?    Live the West in Laramie, WY

You may be wondering what is the purpose of the Laramie Area Visitor Center? The visitor center is supported by the Albany County Tourism Board (ACTB) and exists to bring visitors to Albany County. The Albany County Tourism Board is a volunteer city-county joint powers board and was created in 1989 to administer Albany County’s optional county-wide lodging tax. The lodging tax is a 4% sales tax paid on stays in hotels, motels, campgrounds, and bed and breakfasts lasting less than 30 days. This optional tax must be renewed by the voters of Albany County every four years and is up for renewal in 2014. The Albany County Lodging Tax generates visitation and recognition of Albany County nationally and internationally. ACTB also provides grants including from Laramie Jubilee Days and Wyoming High School Football Championships to the Laramie Fall Harvest Swim Meet.

At the visitor center, one will find many brochures and other publications about Laramie and Albany County, as well as publications from across Wyoming and the surrounding states. The proceeds from the lodging tax are used to create and distribute tourism materials including the Albany County Visitor’s Guide, eight award-winning Walking Tour brochures of the area, the Vedauwoo and Lincoln Monument, postcards, a Snowy Range Scenic Byway informational brochure, Laramie and Albany County maps, and our “Live the West” promotional DVD. Southeast Wyoming ORV and Snowmobile trail maps are also available, as are Medicine Bow-Routt trail maps.  The eight Walking Tour brochures mentioned above include Albany County Museums, Centennial Tour, Historical Architectural Treasures, Historic Downtown Laramie, The Campus of the University of Wyoming, The Old Lincoln Highway, Railroads of Albany County, and West Side Stories.

Locals are also welcome to stop by and peruse our materials or grab a “Live the West” boot-shaped koozie!

ACTB’s “Live the West” website is also a great way to learn about Laramie and Albany County. In 2011, www.visitlaramie.org was visited by 1,347,647 people. One of the main features of the website is our Community Events Calendar, which can be found at www.events.visitlaramie.org/! You can also “Live the West” by visiting our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/visitlaramie, following www.twitter.com/#!/visitlaramie on Twitter, or subscribing to our blog at www.visitlaramie.wordpress.com/!

Lastly, the ACTB has recently expanded their outreach by creating a Smartphone App through Go Explore Wyoming!  The app can be found at www.market.android.com/details?id=com.barz.tourguide.wyoming&hl=en or search the iPhone App Store under “Go Explore Wyoming.”

So now that you’ve learned more about the Laramie Area Visitor Center and Albany County Tourism Board, stop by and see us or keep up with us on our website, app, or social media outlets! Or, you can contact the visitor center at (800) 445-5303 or e-mail at info@visitlaramie.org. Just keep Living the West in Laramie, Wyoming!

Photo by Sandra Sontag

Whether they’re fortunate enough to attend or they just plan to watch it on TV, last night kicked off what so many look forward to all year. The National Finals Rodeo, held every December,  is the Super Bowl of rodeo. The bright lights of Las Vegas no doubt seem a little brighter to the cowboys and cowgirls who have made their NFR dreams a reality. Just ask two of Laramie’s own, Tyler Willis and Brittany Richards, who both proudly wear the Albany County Tourism Board’s brand “Live the West, www.visitlaramie.org.”

Twenty-one year-old bull rider Tyler Willis made his first NFR appearance last night and proved that he was there for a reason. He stayed on his bull for the full 8 seconds and scored an impressive 82.5 and collected $7,500!! Willis is sitting in 4th place! You can catch the 9 rounds to come on GAC every night at 10/9 Central! Go Tyler!

Laramie’s hometown cowgirl Brittany Richards is also competing in Vegas December 3-10. Brittany is Miss Rodeo Wyoming 2011 and is competing for Miss Rodeo America 2011-2012! For more information on the pageant, visit www.missrodeoamerica.com. We know Brittany is going to represent Laramie and Wyoming well, and that Miss Rodeo America Crown is in her reach!

Laramie is proud of both Tyler and Brittany, and we wish them the best of luck! Don’t forget to turn your TV to GAC tonight through the 10th! Thanks for reading!

Live the West

University of Wyoming Dance students will continue their performances of “Continuous Momentum: The Works of Bill T. Jones” as a conclusion to Bill T. Jones’, Artist-in-Residence,  time at UW! You can catch this event tonight and tomorrow, November 18 & 19, at 7:30 PM or Sunday at 2 PM on the UW Fine Arts Main Stage! Tickets are just $14 for the general public, $12 for seniors, and $10 for UW students. Call 307-766-6666 or go online at http://uwadmnweb.uwyo.edu/finearts/eventsticketed.asp for your tickets!

If that doesn’t trip your trigger, why not tour the Historic Laramie Railroad Depot for free?! The Depot’s Open House will be tomorrow from 10 AM to 6 PM at 1st and Kearney Streets. Enjoy free refreshments while learning of Laramie’s railroad history, or check out the Lego Train layout and operating model trains! Don’t forget to purchase souvenirs for that railroad fanatic in your family-Christmas is coming up, you know! Check out their website: http://www.laramiedepot.org/.

In to crafts and free admission? The Ivinson Memorial Hospital Foundation will be having their Holiday Craft Bazaar Saturday from 8 AM-1PM in the Hospital’s West Atrium at 255 N. 30th Street! Call 307-742-2142 for more information. The Ivinson Home for Ladies will also be having their Annual Holiday Bazaar Saturday from 10 AM-2 PM at 2017 Grand Avenue! Enjoy lunch at the event from 11:30 AM-1 PM for $7 per person. Call 745-3575 for more information!

How could you not attend the Cowboy’s last home football game of the season tomorrow at Noon! Not only is Saturday’s Mountain West Conference game against New Mexico for bowl eligibility – it’s also Senior Day and Toys for Tots Day!! Buy two adult tickets at $30 each (regular price) and get one ticket free! Don’t wait, this promotion is not available the day of the game (TOMORROW)! Click on this link http://ev12.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/SEGetEventList?groupCode=FBH&linkID=wyoming&shopperContext=&caller=&appCode=  or call 877-WYO-FAN1 and use the code NEWMEXICO for this promotion. Also, the Cowboy Joe Club Pre-Game Tailgate will be moved indoors to the Arena Auditorium Concourse (enter AA near Gate 8)!! Warmth! Doors will open at 9:30 AM and catering will be provided by Wendy’s – $5 for Brown Card Members and Free for Gold Card Members. Call 766-6242 with questions. Go Pokes!!

It is expected to be about 30 degrees tomorrow with a 50% chance of snow and 22 mph winds, so bundle up for the game! The overnight low is expected to be 20 degrees with a 40% chance of early snow showers and 10 mph winds (brrrrrr). Sunday will be warmer though, with an expected high of 35 degrees and a low of 26 degrees! Dress properly and this weekend will be almost tropical!

Stay warm and drive safe this weekend! Have a great Thanksgiving!

Live the West

It was a beautiful day in Laramie, Wyoming this Veterans Day. It was 50 degrees today! Tomorrow is expected to be about 40 degrees with a 40% chance of precipitation (yuck!), the overnight low is expected to be 26 degrees with a few snow showers and wind (yuck!). Sunday’s forecast is cooler yet with an expected high of 36 degrees, a low of 27, and 30% of precipitation.  That’s okay though, I know you can handle it!

The Albany County Tourism Board and the entire Laramie community welcomes the Wyoming State High School Football Championships to War Memorial Stadium, yet again. The Lovell Bulldogs have already claimed the 2011 2A State Championship, as they defeated the Lyman Eagles 21-13 this afternoon (kick-off was at Noon). The Douglas Bearcats are attempting to defend their 3A title for the fourth time as we speak against the Powell Panthers (kick-off was at 3 PM)!

Tomorrow we welcome the Dubois, Little Snake River, Southeast, Cokeville, Cheyenne East, and Sheridan high school football teams! The Dubois Rams will take on the Little Snake River Rattlers in the 1A-6 Man Championship Game at 10 AM. Next, the Southeast Cyclones will attempt to defeat the Cokeville Panthers, the defending 1A-11 Man Champions, in the 1A-11 Man Championship game at 1 PM. And lastly, the 4A Championship Game will wrap-up the weekend when the Sheridan Broncs take on the underdog Cheyenne East T-Birds at 4 PM. So bundle up, bring a blanket to sit on (actually, bring more than one), grab some hot chocolate on your way to your seat, and enjoy some great high school football! Go to www.whsaa.org for tickets or more information.

The University of Wyoming Sports teams are offering up excitement this weekend, too! The UW Cowboy and Cowgirl Swimming & Diving teams are competing against Air Force as we speak at Corbett Pool. Head to the UniWyo Sports Complex tonight at 5:30 PM to catch the annual Cowboy Wrestling Brown vs. Gold Duel! While you’re in the area you may as well stick around and cheer on the Cowgirl Basketball team tonight at 7 PM in the Arena Auditorium against Utah State! The Cowboy Basketball team will take on Western State tomorrow at 8 PM in exhibition play in the Arena Auditorium! Go to www.wyomingathletics.com or call 877-WYO-FAN1 for tickets or more information.

Take a break from all the athletic events tomorrow and head out to the Albany County Fairgrounds (3520 US Hwy 287) between 9 AM & 3 PM for the 32nd Annual Christmas Bazaar!! You can’t go wrong with free admission, breakfast and lunch available at the event, and hourly drawings for gift certificates! Also, if you bring a new toy or non-perishable food item to donate to the Community Holidays Program and receive an additional chance to win a gift certificate!

So many activities, so little time! Have fun in Laramie this weekend and drive safe!

Live the West

What on Earth should you do this weekend? Well head to Laramie of course! If you are a sports junkie you won’t want to miss out on all the sporting events in Laramie this weekend!

The end of the University of Wyoming Cowboy Football season is approaching, so don’t miss out on the second-to-last home game Saturday, November 5th, against TCU! The Horned Frogs and the Cowboys are tied for first in the Mountain West Conference so why would you miss out on what is sure to be a great game!? Call 1-877-WYO-FAN1 or go to www.wyomingathletics.com now to get your tickets for TCU’s final trip to Laramie!!

On a side note, the forecast for Saturday looks a little chilly with rain/snow, a high of 35 degrees, and a low of 19 degrees expected. Sunday is expected to be partly cloudy with a high of 31 degrees and a low of 16. Don’t forget your warm clothes and you’ll be just fine!

But if you don’t have any desire to brave that kind of weather, you can catch some INDOOR (obviously) basketball action. The University of Wyoming Cowgirl Basketball team will wrap-up exhibition play for the season tonight (Friday, November 4th) at 7 PM against Western State in the Arena Auditorium! Call 1-877-WYO-FAN1 or go to www.wyomingathletics.com for more information! The UW Cowboy Basketball team will then play their sole exhibition game of the season against CSU-Pueblo tomorrow, November 5th, at 6 PM (also in the AA)!

Well that’s all the sporting event information for the weekend, hopefully you are making your plans to head this way! Thanks for reading!

Live the West

Live the West

TGIF once again in Laramie, Wyoming! I regret to inform you that those 60 degree highs last weekend will be about twenty degrees lower this pre-Halloween weekend. But sunny with expected highs of 45 and 47 degrees for Saturday and Sunday isn’t too shabby!

A plethora of Halloween activities are planned for tonight and this weekend! I would love to tell you all of them, but this blog would be too long! So go to www.events.visitlaramie.org and there you will see the Albany County Tourism Board’s Events Calendar!

Maybe you don’t really dig Halloween. The University of Wyoming Cowgirl Basketball team will take on CSU-Pueblo tonight at 7 PM in the Arena Auditorium! This is the first exhibition match of the season, and admission is free! Don’t miss the Cowgirl Volleyball team in action Saturday at 7 PM at the UniWyo Sports Complex! Cheer them on against San Diego State for just $5 Adult Admission or $3 for Children 18 & Under!

Don’t forget to throw together a costume equipped with a warm coat this weekend! Lows expected to be around 30 degrees. (Don’t complain, it could be worse.)

Thanks for reading! Remember to go to www.events.visitlaramie.org for all community event information!

Live the West

How could you resist coming to Laramie this weekend when the forecast for Saturday AND Sunday are highs of 60 degrees and lows above freezing (does that number really matter if it’s above 32?)!! You can’t beat those temps the end of October at 7200 feet! Is there even anything going on you might ask? Well it’s Laramie, there is ALWAYS something to do.

Start your weekend off with the annual Ghost Tours of Laramie City! Taking place both tonight and tomorrow night, these hour and a half long tours begin at the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site! Thrill seekers will be led through a section of the park by a menacing character, followed by a hayride winding through downtown Laramie where the venturesome guests will hear ghostly stories of the Gem City and see local historical haunts. After that guests will return to the prison via hayride and finish up the tour in the penitentiary. There will be 6 tours each night starting every half hour from 7-9:30 PM! Hurry and get your tickets now by calling (307) 745-6161 ext. 12!

Okay, so you are slightly afraid of ghost stories but still enjoy the Halloween spirit. Well, “I Want My Mummy” will surely suit you. The Unexpected Company Senior Community Theatre presents this musical horror comedy by Tim Kelly and Music & Lyrics by David Reiser! Don’t forget your costume, otherwise you’ll miss out the chance to win prizes! The comedy will premiere tonight at 7 PM at the Laramie Plains Civic Center Auditorium at 710 E. Garfield. You can also catch it again tomorrow the 22nd at 1 PM and again at 7 PM. Last chance to catch the musical will be Sunday the 23rd at 3 PM. Call (307) 745-8000 for your tickets!

Too many Pre-Halloween celebrations for you? Head to The Calvaryman Steakhouse for Fall at Fort Sanders. Enjoy wine tasting from 5-7 PM tonight, dinner (don’t spoil it) beginning at 5 PM, and Bas-Mini Band from 9 PM-Midnight! Tomorrow you can enjoy beer tasting from 5-7 PM, dinner (again, leave room) beginning at 5 PM, and then dance the night away to Classic Country with Wyoming Home Grown! The Cav invites you back to cure your hangover Sunday for Jazz Champagne Brunch from 10 AM to 2 PM, Peter Queal 3-Piece Jazz Ensemble from 11 AM to 2 PM, and dinner yet again beginning at 5 PM.

So many festivities! Enjoy them all and drive safely. TGIF!

Live the West

You can also cheer on the University of Wyoming Cowgirl Volleyball team as they take on the New Mexico Lobos tomorrow at 7 PM at the UniWyo Sports Complex! Tickets are only $5 for Adults and $3 for Youth. Once again, call 877-WYO-FAN1 or visit www.wyomingathletics.com for your tickets!

Not really into sports? Perhaps the annual Ghost Tours of Laramie City will be of interest to you. These hour and a half long tours begin at the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site where thrill seekers will be led through a section of the park by a menacing character, followed by a hayride winding through downtown Laramie where the venturesome guests will hear ghostly stories of the Gem City and see local historical haunts. After that guests will return to the prison via hayride and finish up the tour in the penitentiary. There will be 6 tours each night starting every half hour from 7-9:30 PM on October 15, 21, 22, 28, 29, 30, & 31st. Hurry and get your tickets now by calling (307) 745-6161 ext. 12!

A high of 71 and low of 43 degrees are expected for tomorrow, and a high of 62 and low of 44 degrees are expected for Sunday.

Thanks for reading Visit Laramie’s first blog!

Live the West