The Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame announces the Central Wyoming Cowboy Weekend Oct. 31-Nov. 2. This is the cowboy state’s most impressive all-encompassing Western event of 2014.

Dona Vold Larsen, her family and Triple V Rodeo present the fantastic Great American Cowboy Art Show at 7 p.m., Friday in the Grand Ballroom at Parkway Plaza in Casper. The show will feature photography, bootmaking, rawhide braiding, silversmith art, drawing, painting, pottery, gourds, jewelery, painting on feathers, beadwork on leather and other types of leatherwork. Some 20 artists are participating. Photographer Carole Martinez from Kaycee, Wyoming is the 2014 Featured Artist . Carole says she “lives to capture life’s most beautiful moments” and does so with “creative vision, style, and bold imagery.” See her work at wyoming-custom-photography.com

The first event Saturday, Nov. 1, is The Tribute to the Great American Cowboy Stock Dog Classic, a working sheep dog trial hosted by the Wyoming Stock Dog Association at the Central Wyoming Fairgrounds. Free to the public, this event begins at 8 a.m., with closing and awards ceremonies scheduled for 3:30 p.m. The best working dogs in the state and their handlers will be there.

Saturday evening Triple V Rodeo brings top ProRodeo action to Wyoming as they put a half century of combined rodeo producing experience and roughstock genetics on display at the Central Wyoming Fairgrounds arena. The rodeo will benefit the Wyoming Fallen Heroes Scholarship Program, which memorializes Wyoming military personnel killed in Afghanistan and Iraq. The chute gates open at 7 p.m.

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Immediately afterward you’ll enjoy the tribute to the Great American Cowboy Concert featuring Chancey Williams and the Younger Brothers Band who are rockin’ true cowboy soul right up the charts with their amazing new releases such as “She Loves Me Anyway” and “Aint Worth The Whiskey.” Chancey comes from multi-generation cowboy roots, Wyoming ranch bred and raised, and will provide a tremendous close to the day’s fantastic cowboy experience.

Wyoming’s cowboy population will hit the Interstate Sunday morning for the short distance from Casper to Douglas where they’ll attend Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame (WCHF) Induction Ceremonies for their First Class of Honorees. WCHF is a non-profit organization with a mission to: “Preserve, promote, perpetuate, publish and document Wyoming’s rich working cowboy and ranching history through researching, profiling and honoring individuals who broke the first trails and introduced that culture to this state. WCHF plans to collect, display and preserve the stories, photos and artifacts of such individuals and anything else that will honor and highlight their contributions to our history.” They have selected Honorees from a pool of statewide nominations, and will induct them, Sunday Nov. 2.

Doors to the Fort Reno Building, located on the upper level across from the Cafeteria on the Wyoming State Fairgrounds, will open at 11:30 a.m. for this historic occasion. “Black Hat Casual Western” attire is recommended. Come prepared to enjoy some great cowboy musical background and listen to a lot of real cowboy tales spun by many who have spent decades proving that Wyoming truly is “The Cowboy State.” Bring plenty of Christmas shopping cash because you’re sure to find things you’ll want to take home from the fantastic array of live and silent auction items available. All proceeds will benefit WCHF.

Official Induction Ceremonies will begin at 1 p.m. as the following people become 2014 WCHF Honorees:

Tim Barkhurst born in 1939, Saratoga

Billie Jean Shepperson Beaton (1919-2014) Midwest

Paul Bruegman (1947-2001) Cheyenne

Edwin Earl “Cam” Camblin, 1877-1950, Gillette

Frank N. “Fearless” Carroll (1919-2013), Encampment

Nate Champion (1857-1892), Kaycee

John Charles “Jack” Esau (1891-1973), Douglas

Charles A. “Chuck” Fenton (1920-2014), Shoshoni

John Robert “Cub” Forbes born in 1950, Kaycee

Ronald “Ron” Garretson born in 1942, Elk Mountain

Les Gore, born in 1925, Wheatland

Robert Mills “Bob” Grant (1926-2012), Wheatland

James Clay “Jim” Hageman (1930-2006), Douglas

Jack Hickey, born in 1929, Lonetree

Guy Edward Holt (1883-1946), Cheyenne

Richard Quay “Dick” Hornbuckle (1893-1959), Douglas

Raymond D. Hutson, born 1938, Sheridan

James Edward “Jamis” Johnson born in 1943, Bates Hole country

William B. “Will” Jones, born in 1933, Powder River country

Robert W. “Bob” Manning (1929-2006), Lost Springs

Joseph Michael Maycock (1873-1946) Gillette

Charles “Ellis” Reynolds , born in 1924, Moorcroft

Ben C. “Benny” Reynolds born 1942, Sheridan

Frank Rhodes (1919-2012), Thermopolis

J Ralph “Scotty” Scott (1902-1982), Douglas

Anthony Wilkinson “Andy” Sedgwick 1882-1964, Cheyenne River country Niobrara County

Howard “Jack” Wesley Sipe, Sr. (1938-2011), Sheridan

Bill “Cody Bill” Smith born in 1941, Thermopolis

Rhea “Bud” Tillard born in 1923, Douglas

Joseph “Rex” Wardell (1901-1977), Big Piney

Cecil “Ray” Weber born in 1932, Baggs

Anthony (1838-1894) and John (1845-1914) Wilkinson, Laramie County and northward

Slim Whitt (1929-2014), Tensleep.

The commemorative booklets you’ll be given at this inaugural Induction will become rare collector’s items. You’ll also have the opportunity to purchase your own copy of the colorful original Commemorative Poster designed by popular, award-winning Wyoming author and Western Writer’s of America immediate Past President Candy Moulton.

Make your travel plans and reservations now for a Central Wyoming getaway Oct. 31- Nov 2.

–Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame