10/12/2026
Thank you, Big Horn Basin.
Saturday more than 400 people came to a town with an official population of 74. Emily and I stood in the backyard around 5 o'clock, looked around, and didn't quite believe it. For 7 years you've shown up and this was the best year yet!
A festival like this only happens because of a team of people:
• The Shell Valley Volunteer Fire Department, for the hay rides.
• Benjaporn Helburn, for painting faces until long after we'd officially closed.
• Thanh and Winnie at Silver Mustang Ranch, for the petting zoo.
• The Wild West Dino Den, for opening the museum and showing off Big Al and Baby Toni.
• Holland Dotson and Kohl Johnathan (and Maverick!), for setting the mood all evening, even in the rain.
• O'Yeah Parties and Events, for the inflatable slide and a great experience for the kids.
• Big Horn Federal, for sponsoring the pumpkin decorating contest.
A heartfelt thank-you to employees and friends who put in a lot of extra work to pull off this community event.
And MOST OF ALL, thank you to everyone who came! You're the reason we do this.
If you'd like to keep supporting this community, here are three ways:
🚒 Donate to the Shell Valley Volunteer Fire Department. It's funded entirely by donations and receives no government money.
🧱 Buy a brick for the Historic Red Shell School and fund the next phase of its renovation: www.BricksRUs.com/donorsite/shellschool
🦖 Visit the Wild West Dino Den, 300 2nd Street in Shell, open Saturdays 1–5 PM.
See you soon!
— Kevin and Emily
