Wapiti is the Cree Indian word for elk. This weekend (May 17th& 18th) in Jackson Hole, we will be celebrating Wapiti and the Wilderness during the Jackson Hole Elkfest.
Elkfest is a festival that has evolved from the world renown Jackson Hole Boy Scout Elk Antler Auction. What began as a simple fundraiser for the Jackson Hole Boy Scouts, in 1968, has become what is now known as Elkfest. Elkfest is a celebration of outdoor skills, hunting, nature and ecological awareness.
Each spring just before the elk begin their summer migration they shed their antlers. The Jackson Hole Boy Scouts harvest the shed antlers at the National Elk Refuge which is located just outside of the Town of Jackson. The elk antlers are then auctioned for sale in the Jackson Town Square. The antlers are used by the new owners for wall hangings, light fixtures, furniture, jewelry and whatever their imaginations can come up with.
In addition to the Boy Scout Antler Auction, vendors will sell their own antlers and antler art at the Antler Rendezvous which is held at the Teton County Fairgrounds on Sunday (May 18th) and through the Old West Days next weekend (Monday, May 26th)).
Elkfest begins the celebration of “Honoring the Legacy of the West” which has combined the separate events of Elkfest, Mountain Man Rendezvous and Old West Days into a 10 day event.
Auction information: BSA Auction
More about the Old West Days which will be held May 23 – 29 in next week’s blog.
[...] kick off the celebration on Friday when The Mountain Man Rendezvous and Trader’s row join the Antler Rendezvous at the Teton County Fair Grounds. The Mountain Man Rendezvous is a celebration of the history of [...]
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