Renee Stewart, a professional jeweler, Casper College geology volunteer and current president of the Natrona County Rockhounds Club, presented “Wyoming Jade” today as part of Casper College’s 41st Humanities Festival and GLAM Exhibit Day. Her presentation explored Wyoming’s official state gemstone through its geological characteristics, including the variety of colors and patterns found in Wyoming nephrite jade.

The program also connected the gemstone to Wyoming’s history and rockhounding culture, including the state’s 1930s-era “Jade Rush,” notable jade stories and practical guidance for identifying and searching for jade in the field. As the opening presentation for GLAM Exhibit Day, the program helped connect geology, history, art and local culture under this year’s festival theme, “The West: Past, Present, and Future.”

Casper native Randi Wittler has been named CEO of Casper Buzz, a local platform connecting residents and visitors with events, businesses and community information.

A 2011 Kelly Walsh High School graduate, Wittler served as a police officer from 2016 to 2023 and owns the online business Wyo Tactical Prints.

She will lead Casper Buzz’s daily operations and community engagement as the platform expands its digital services and strengthens ties with local businesses and organizations.

Wittler said she wants to help Casper residents stay informed and connected while supporting the businesses and events that bring the community together.

Her appointment also allows the company’s founder and development team to focus on Wyoming Forged, a statewide discovery platform developed in Casper and expected to launch in January 2027.

The 2026 Casper Start-Up Challenge Pitch Night will bring five local entrepreneurs to The Rialto on Wednesday, September 30, for an evening centered on innovation, entrepreneurship and locally developed business ideas. The finalists are competing for a share of up to $50,000 in seed funding, while also gaining an opportunity to introduce their ventures to the Casper business community.

This year's finalists represent a diverse mix of industries, including outdoor recreation, bird conservation, ranch technology, artificial intelligence and leadership development. From Vouno Pack and Flock Blocker to RangeLink Technologies, Legacy AI Technologies and Culture Club, the competition offers a snapshot of the different ideas being developed in Casper and the possibilities that can emerge when a community invests in its entrepreneurs.

Riverdance 30 – The New Generation will return to Casper on March 22, 2027, bringing its 30th anniversary tour to the Ford Wyoming Center. The production combines Bill Whelan's Grammy Award-winning music with a new generation of dancers, updated visual elements, innovative staging and the high-energy choreography that has made Riverdance an international phenomenon.

The Casper performance is part of a 47-city North American tour and begins at 8 p.m., with doors opening at 7 p.m. Tickets are currently on sale, giving Casper audiences the opportunity to experience the anniversary production when the celebrated dance phenomenon returns to the city.

Central Wyoming Hospice & Transitions held a six-hour volunteer training session today at its Casper campus, preparing community members to provide companionship, emotional comfort and respite support to terminal patients and their families. The training took place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 319 S. Wilson St.

As hospice services continue expanding throughout Natrona County, the organization is seeking a diverse volunteer network, including veterans who can connect with and support veteran patients. The training reflects the important role community volunteers can play in extending comfort and practical support to patients and families during a difficult stage of life.

Katy Hallock and the City of Casper’s Urban Forestry team have been recognized as the 2026 Wyoming Urban & Community Forestry Program of the Year, highlighting the city’s long-standing commitment to caring for and strengthening its urban forest. Casper has been recognized as a Tree City USA community for nearly 30 years, reflecting decades of attention to the trees and green spaces that contribute to the character of the community.

That work is continuing through new efforts, including the recent establishment of Casper’s first arboretum. The statewide recognition provides an opportunity to celebrate Hallock and the Urban Forestry team while highlighting the long-term importance of planting, maintaining and protecting Casper’s tree canopy for generations to come.

Sunny Spur Corn Maze offers Casper families, friends and visitors a classic way to enjoy the fall season through an outdoor adventure built around exploration, laughter and spending time together. The maze creates an experience where getting turned around is part of the fun, giving visitors an opportunity to slow down and enjoy a simple seasonal activity.

More than just a place to wander through rows of corn, Sunny Spur adds another community-centered tradition to Casper’s autumn calendar. It gives people a reason to step outside, enjoy the changing season and create memories together without needing an elaborate plan.

The annual Platte River Revival Volunteer Day returns to Casper on Saturday, September 26, bringing community members together for hands-on restoration work along the North Platte River. Volunteers will assist with tasks such as removing invasive Russian olive regrowth, protecting native trees and clearing litter and debris from the river corridor.

The volunteer effort is part of a larger, long-term restoration project that has involved thousands of community members over the years. Beyond the physical work, the day represents an opportunity for Casper residents to take an active role in protecting the river, its habitat and the outdoor spaces that make the community special.

Fall Fest returns to David Street Station on Saturday, September 26, bringing Casper families and community members together for an afternoon of autumn entertainment. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., visitors can enjoy local vendors, live music, food trucks, train rides, lawn games, a bouncy house, a pumpkin patch and performances from Dance Evolutions.

With A Band Named Sue providing live music and several local food and beverage vendors taking part, the event offers a relaxed way to spend part of the weekend downtown. More than anything, Fall Fest is an opportunity for Casper to enjoy the changing season together, support local businesses and make a few simple fall memories.

The Casper Warbirds open their 2026–27 NCDC regular season this Friday, September 25, at the Casper Ice Arena, hosting the Vernal Oilers in a 7:00 PM puck drop. The game also marks the Oilers' official NCDC debut following back-to-back USPHL Premier National Championships, and it's the first of a two-game home series between the two clubs.

To celebrate opening night, the Warbirds are offering a $5 "Opening Night Special" on admission for all fans, making it an affordable way for the Casper community to be part of the season kickoff.

Two 1999 American LaFrance pumpers from the Casper Fire-EMS fleet are being donated to the Casper College Fire Science Technology program after approximately 27 years of service. The engines have moved into retirement as newer apparatus have entered the fleet, while their age, maintenance needs and increasingly difficult-to-find replacement parts have made continued operational use impractical.

Rather than selling the vehicles as surplus, Casper Fire-EMS is giving them a new role in education. At Casper College, the engines can provide future firefighters with hands-on experience around full-size fire apparatus, creating a meaningful connection between Casper's firefighting history and the next generation preparing to serve the community.

Casper’s Dolly Day will bring the community together on September 25 for a full day inspired by Dolly Parton’s music, creativity and generosity. The celebration will include programming connected to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a Dolly Dash look-alike parade, a downtown Dolly Dally, local business specials, food trucks and other activities throughout the day.

The celebration will end with Dolly karaoke, look-alike and sound-alike contests and prizes at City Works, but the real purpose goes beyond the fun. One hundred percent of the event’s proceeds will benefit the new Casper Youth Hub, making the day an opportunity to celebrate community while helping create a space where Casper youth can learn, connect and grow.

The 2026 Wyoming Nurses Association and Wyoming Council for Advanced Practice Nursing Annual Convention begins September 24 at the Best Western Downtown Casper Hotel and continues through September 25. Centered on the theme “Stronger Together,” the two-day convention will bring nursing and advanced practice professionals together for education, networking, discussions and recognition of nursing leadership across Wyoming.

Featured speakers include American Nurses Association President Jennifer Mensik Kennedy and American Association of Nurse Practitioners President Valerie Fuller. The program also addresses workforce wellbeing, dementia care and healthcare experiences from organizations around the state, creating opportunities for professionals to share knowledge and consider practical ways to strengthen care in Wyoming communities.

The Wyoming Supreme Court will bring a rare public educational experience to Casper College on Thursday, September 24, giving local residents and students an opportunity to observe the state’s highest court in action. At 10 a.m., the justices will hear oral arguments in Hurd v. Hurd, an active case involving the distribution of a family trust estate.

The morning will continue at 11 a.m. with the court’s “You Be The Judge” program, where local attorneys will present a mock case and Casper College students will take on the role of judges and issue a decision. Together, the programs offer the Casper community an unusual opportunity to learn about the judicial process through both observation and hands-on participation.

Stitch & B!tch at Dab Hand Yarn & Crafts offers Casper creatives a relaxed and welcoming place to work on their projects while meeting other makers. The weekly gathering welcomes knitters, crocheters, spinners, embroiderers and crafters of all kinds, with participants encouraged to bring whatever project they are currently working on.

As part of Casper on a Budget, the gathering highlights an affordable side of the city's arts community: creativity that is built around connection rather than spending. With free coffee, tea, juice and snacks available, the Wednesday evening meetup is another example of how independent creative spaces can help make Casper a lively place for art, making and community.

Glowforge: Wooden Mushroom Shelf Sitter gives Casper-area creators an opportunity to explore hands-on making through a charming wooden project at the Natrona County Library. Using the library’s Creation Station and Glowforge technology, participants can experience how a digital design can become a finished piece of decorative art.

The workshop also highlights the growing role of makerspaces in Casper, where technology can become a creative tool for artists, hobbyists and curious community members. With a project as approachable and playful as a mushroom shelf sitter, the experience offers a fun starting point for anyone interested in trying something new.

Mocktails & Moonlight will bring a fresh nighttime market experience to downtown Casper on September 23, giving visitors an evening to explore local creativity, vintage finds and unusual treasures. Hosted at The Wilted Daisy, the market will feature handmade items, books, artwork, vintage clothing, tarot readings, macabre-inspired pieces and flash tattoos, along with mocktails for guests to enjoy while they browse.

The event is also the beginning of a planned monthly gathering, creating another way for Casper residents to discover independent businesses and local creators after dark. Running from 5 to 8 p.m., the evening invites guests to slow down, explore and enjoy a different side of downtown Casper.

The WY Walks Bug Walk will bring families and nature enthusiasts together at Edness Kimball Wilkins State Park on Tuesday, September 22, for an evening of exploration and learning. Guided by an expert entomologist, the walk will encourage participants to discover more about insects while experiencing the park’s natural surroundings.

Beginning at 5:45 p.m., the free community activity offers a simple way for families to spend time outdoors while learning something new together. With park admission free for participants, the Bug Walk is an inviting opportunity to turn a Tuesday evening into a small outdoor adventure.

GEAR UP: The Science of Bikes brings a hands-on exploration of bicycle history, design, engineering and physics to The Science Zone in Casper from September 21, 2026, through January 8, 2027. The traveling exhibition features historic and unusual bicycles alongside interactive stations that allow visitors to experiment with energy, motion, friction and other scientific principles.

Included with regular museum admission, the exhibition offers families, students and curious visitors a chance to learn by doing. From generating electricity by pedaling to experimenting with ramps and braking systems, GEAR UP turns an everyday bicycle into an engaging lesson in how science works all around us.

The Run Fur Their Lives 5K will bring together Casper runners, walkers, dog lovers and their four-legged companions in support of Fur Pets Sake, with proceeds helping cover the everyday rescue expenses involved in caring for animals in need. The event welcomes participants of all activity levels, and dogs and costumes are encouraged.

Community members can also support Fur Pets Sake by bringing useful donations such as dog beds, blankets, food, treats, toys, potty-training pads and cleaning supplies. The event combines a fun, pet-friendly atmosphere with an important mission: helping provide rescued animals with the care and resources they need.

Funky Junk: Fall Edition 2026 returns to downtown Casper this Saturday for its 11th annual festival, bringing more than 100 small businesses, independent boutiques and regional creatives together at David Street Station. The expanded event will take over the entire block surrounding the plaza, offering visitors more space to shop, browse handmade goods, discover artwork and explore unique fall finds.

The free community event will also feature four live music acts, food trucks and seasonal offerings from local beverage partners, creating a full-day downtown experience centered on shopping, creativity, entertainment and supporting small businesses.

Crossing the Threshold will be previewed at the Natrona County Library as part of the NEA 250 Big Read collaboration, offering Casper audiences a look at a documentary centered on veterans and the transition from military service to civilian life. The free event will feature a 20-minute preview of filmmaker Sophie Barksdale’s work, giving attendees an opportunity to hear stories and perspectives connected to the veteran experience.

Because the documentary is still in post-production, the evening will also create an opportunity for community participation. Attendees can stay for the discussion and Q&A, share their reactions and provide feedback that may help shape the film’s final version, making the event not only a screening but a meaningful conversation between veterans, the filmmaker and the broader Casper community.

Comedy That Cares comes to The Rialto Casper tonight, September 17, bringing Reem Edan and Dom Syracuse to the stage for an evening of stand-up comedy supporting Community Action Partnership of Natrona and Converse Counties’ Health Care for the Homeless program. The event gives Casper residents an opportunity to enjoy a night out while contributing to an important local community effort.

The September Sound Bath, hosted by Sacred Sounds at Wyoming Yoga & Wellness, offers Casper residents an evening focused on relaxation, meditation and self-care. Beginning at 6:30 p.m. at 142 N. Kimball St., the session provides a peaceful opportunity to unwind through sound and create space for rest before the weekend.

The Preserve Wyoming Conference returns to Casper September 17–19, 2026, for the first time in 15 years. Hosted by the Alliance for Historic Wyoming, the Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office and the Casper Historic Preservation Commission, the three-day event will feature preservation-focused presentations, case studies, an architectural walking tour, an expert roundtable and a keynote luncheon with Representative Trey Sherwood.

Casper offers several thrift stores, resale shops and secondhand-shopping destinations for budget-conscious residents. From Goodwill Wyoming and Rescued Treasures to clothing-focused stores, children’s resale shops and independent thrift businesses, shoppers can find affordable options for clothing, household goods, furniture and more.

With inventory that changes regularly, Casper’s secondhand scene encourages shoppers to explore, spend thoughtfully and discover useful or unexpected treasures without breaking the bank.

The Casper Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2026 State of the Community: Community Partners Edition luncheon will bring local leaders together to discuss economic development, tourism, transportation, downtown revitalization and other collaborative efforts shaping Natrona County.

The luncheon is scheduled for September 16 at Best Western Downtown, giving community members an opportunity to hear updates directly from organizations working to support the area’s continued development.

Wyoming Game and Fish has lifted the voluntary afternoon fishing restrictions along portions of the North Platte River near Casper, including downstream of the Lusby Public Access Area and along Deer Creek.

The change allows anglers to return to full-time fishing in those areas while continuing to enjoy the river responsibly and follow current Wyoming fishing regulations.

Wings of Renewal has launched its first-ever Teacher Appreciation Celebration through the “Wings of Renewal” Teacher Giveback, giving Casper and Natrona County residents an opportunity to recognize educators who go above and beyond for their students. Community members can nominate local teachers through September 20, 2026, with public voting beginning September 21.

When voting concludes, the top three selected teachers will each receive a hand-crafted custom Epoxy award and a $20 movie gift card. The initiative celebrates the time, personal resources and passion educators dedicate to supporting Natrona County students.

The Great Mountain Mingle returns to Hogadon Lodge on Casper Mountain for three free, family-friendly Sundays on September 13, 20 and 27. Presented by OVG Hospitality, the celebration will run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and feature live music, outdoor games, local vendors, food and drinks.

New for 2026 is a build-your-own ice cream bar, while the outdoor grill will offer a variety of BBQ favorites. Guests can also participate in beer tasting, vote for their favorite brew, enjoy scavenger hunts and sidewalk chalk activities, and spend the afternoon taking in the fresh mountain air. The event is scheduled to take place rain or shine.