Memorial Day weekend is the official kickoff to the Summer Season here in Jackson Hole.
There are numerous events over the weekend, but the Saturday parade is the centerpiece. Valley residents, along with regional participants, travel down the streets of Jackson in their Saturday best. I’ve photographed the parade on numerous occasions and I’ve simply watched as a “normal” spectator many other times. I’ll probably be there with camera-in-hand again this year!
Mountain Man and Horse:
Old West Days: At one time, the town slogan was “The Last and the Best of the Old West”. I seldom hear it anymore, though the town clings to its Western heritage—evident with the boardwalks and architecture. Cowboy hats and boots are still common here with or without a parade.
Boy Scouts: We’ve lived here 29 years. I don’t recall personally participating in the parade. My wife was a Cub Scout Den Mother and she participated with the kids for a couple of years. Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts are a common fixture in any parade.
Old Cars: Dignitaries like mayors, city council members, governors, and candidates often make the trip in a vintage vehicle.
Young Rodeo Queens: Horses are a large part of the parade.
Jackson Hole Community Band: They play for the love of the music.
High School Band: They play to get a good grade! My kid was somewhere in this mix in 2005.
Mountain Men: A group of Mountain Men can be found at the Rodeo/Fairgrounds during the week before Memorial Day and through the weekend. They typically march in the parade.
Draft Horses: Various dude ranches and businesses promote themselves via wagons and surreys.
Shootout Gang: Throughout the summer, the Northeast corner of the square is blocked off for the nightly Shootout (except Sundays). The gang, along with actors from some of the playhouses, often march in the parade. Normally, the area volunteer fire departments polish up their firefighting units and bring up the rear of the parade. I included just a few of the many entries on this page.
If you are going to be in town over Memorial Day, don’t miss the parade on Saturday! There’s another similar parade on the 4th of July, along with music and fireworks. Click this link for more information via the Chamber of Commerce for Old West Days:
Parade and Photography Comments
I mentioned earlier, I’ve photographed the parade on numerous occasions. It made sense when I had kids in it. Over the years, I’ve taken photos of all kinds of events and wondered, “Why?” At the time, I never considered I’d someday be writing a blog. I just shot them because it was fun, and anytime I am taking photos, I’m learning or honing skills. In the earlier years, film cost money. With digital…no problem! Hard drive space is cheap. As I look at all of these photos, I realize I approached the event differently in earlier years than I would this year and in upcoming years. I shot many of them “wide” at “pedestrian height”…I call them obligatory shots. Next time, I’ll probably have that camera with me, but I will probably take a telephoto. I’ve never gone to the parade with “street photographer” mentality. I’m interested in getting kids eating an ice cream cone, or a dog watching the event, or kids picking up candy tossed by people on the floats. I have a press pass now, but even if I didn’t, people at a public event like this are much more tolerant—and even anxious to have their picture taken.
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