Pageant committee open to new members

Pageant Weekend is an annual event that happens the first full weekend in August, this year Aug. 5-6. It is centered around the Gift of the Waters Pageant, a play written by Marie Montabe in 1925 that celebrates the transfer of the Big Spring from the Native Americans to the United States government in 1896. Prior to that, Thermopolis was located about seven miles north of the present day town, near the confluence of Owl Creek and the Bighorn River. When the land became available to settlers, the town moved closer to the Big Spring, which at that time was called “Big Horn Hot Spring.”

The circumstances depicted in the Gift of the Waters Pageant have affected the lives of everyone who lives in Thermopolis today. The pageant is not an exact re-enactment of what happened between the Government and Chief Washakie of the Shoshone Tribe and Sharp Nose, an Arapahoe. But, it is a beautiful celebration of the comradery between nations, which includes singing, dancing and the beginning of a collaboration that has continued for decades.

The original pageant was performed in October 1925 as a one-time presentation. In 1950, a group of people in Thermopolis, together with Montabe, the original author, envisioned the town of Thermopolis embracing this unique piece of history and rejuvenated the pageant. As a result, it has been performed nearly every year since 1950, and this year will be its 67th anniversary.

Even though the pageant is presented during only one weekend near the end of summer preparation and planning for the event is all year long by the Gift of the Waters Pageant Committee, a group of dedicated community members who organize and manage the behind the scenes tasks. The committee welcomes new members which could be a part of the year-long planning, or help only during the weekend. By supporting committee, a small part of the rich history of Thermopolis will continue and not be lost.

If anyone is interested, please contact Chair Shasta Shaffer (307-258-9861), Secretary JoAnn Myers (864-2594) or Treasurer Barb Vietti (921-1551).