What kid isn’t fascinated with the Wild West? Even as an adult, I love the stories of it. I got really excited on a recent trip to the Eiteljorg when I saw a picture of Deadwood in their Gold! Riches and Ruin exhibition. I might have squealed and looked very much NOT intellectual as I said to my husband, “honey, look! It’s the real Deadwood! Like from the show!” Because I’m sure life in the real Wild West was so much like an HBO series starring Tim Olyphant.

On Saturday, August 1, the Eiteljorg Museum will be indulging my love of all the wild, wild things of the west with WestFest. You can pose for a Wanted poster, pan for gold, drink sarsaparilla, and ride a stagecoach, along with much more. This will happen during museum hours, 10:00 – 5:00, and is included with museum admission. You will find me there, probably trying (and failing) to lasso a cow. Hopefully it’s a fake cow that doesn’t move much, I might have a fighting chance then.