Freedom Run packed with events

The Big Horn Basin Riders are planning another great 4th of July Freedom Run in Thermopolis and Hot Springs County with fun for everyone.

Things kick off Friday, July 3rd with a meet and greet at the armory at 6 p.m. Everyone is welcome to come enjoy the music, drinks and bonfire scheduled for that evening.

The 130-mile Poker Run will start with registration at 8 a.m. at the armory. Wheels hit the ground at 9:45 a.m. You don’t have to ride a motorcycle to participate in the run. The trip will go through Wind River Canyon to Mimi’s Diner in Shoshoni, then on to Manville and the Boot in Riverton, the BK Bar and back to the armory.

A member of a SEAL team from Thermopolis will be at the event, riding in the poker run and will be honored that evening.

There will be plenty of vendors on site at the armory all day, both inside and out as well as five different “bouncy houses” for the kids with slides and obstacle courses starting at 10 a.m. Wristbands for all day fun for the kids will be available for $5. They can play as long as they wish, go home and take a break, then come back that afternoon or evening as long as they are wearing the wristband.

The National Guard is bringing in one of their big trucks, silent auction items will be displayed and so much more going on all day.

Before the fireworks, the highlight of the day will be a flag flying drop in by Team Fast Trax, the largest professional skydiving team in the world.

The Big Horn Basin Riders are selling tickets for some lucky winner to take a tandem parachute jump with the team on the 4th of July. Tickets are $40 each. You must be 18 to enter and present to win.

Tickets are available now through the day of the event. Tickets may be purchased at Owl Lumber, Days Inn and Shorty’s Liquor or from any Big Horn Basin Rider.

The winner of the tandem jump will be announced at 5:30 p.m. on the 4th with the winner stepping out of the plane at 7 p.m.

Following the tandem jump, Team Fast Trax will make another jump, this time carrying in a huge American flag.

There will be music and dancing afterwards, all with free admission, and folks are welcome to bring along their lawn chairs