Both courts traveled to Cheyenne, Wyo. June 19 for Frontier Days. The Happy Canyon princesses, Talia Minthorn and Shaina Watlamet, had flown to Denver, and left early in the morning for the drive to Wyoming accompanied by Happy Canyon President Dave Stuvland and his wife, Susie, and Indian Director Chris Cockburn and his wife, Deanna.

The Round-Up court, Darla Severe, queen, and princesses Cydney Corey, Lindsey Joseph, Jennifer Levy and Jill Sorey, accompanied by Court Director Randy Severe and his wife Rosemary traveled to Cheyenne on a private jet provided by longtime Round-Up enthusiast Greg Demers of Frontier Resources. The court arrived in plenty of time to join the Happy Canyon princesses for the Frontier Days Queen’s Luncheon in Cheyenne.

After the luncheon, both courts participated in a Pendleton Woolen Mills promotion at Dillard’s Department Store. The young women greeted the public and signed posters for shoppers. Dillard’s Cheyenne manager Jeff Paxton gave the court members gift baskets of perfumes, creams and other items. The two courts then dined at Poor Richards with the Happy Canyon and Round-Up directors who made the trip. The evening was capped off with a concert featuring “Staind, Static X and Lo Pro.” The Pendleton contingent were guests of the Frontier Days Committee.

Both Round-Up and Happy Canyon courts appeared in the Frontier Days Parade on horseback thanks to stock contractor Billy Ward and his wife Marlo, who provided mounts for the royalty. The parade, which begins right in front of the Wyoming State Capitol Building is long and well attended.

Following the parade both courts were the guests of Miss Cheyenne Frontier Days and the Frontier Days Committee for a luncheon and the rodeo. The rodeo Grand Entry was also fun for the Round-Up contingent, as they are the only court other than Cheyenne’s to participate in this event. The Round-Up group watched the rodeo from behind the chutes and above the roping chutes.

Following the rodeo, Shaina and Talia visited the Frontier Days Indian Village and spoke to a large crowd prior to a dancing performance by the Native American “Wind River Dancers.” Princess Talia’s mother, Marci Hoptowit, and aunt, Marjorie Waheneka, presented the dancers with various gifts from Happy Canyon, Wildhorse Resort and Casino and Tamastslikt Cultural Institute.

Round-Up officials attending Frontier Days included President Steve Corey and his wife Susan, Butch and Vickie Thurman, Kevin and Nancy Hudson, Jim (who competed there) and Suzy Ward. Parents of the court attending were Bob and Tricia Sorey, Doug and Heather Corey and Steve and Melissa Joseph. They joined the Severes and the Round-Up court for dinner at the Cheyenne Country Club along with their Cheyenne hosts.

Then, both courts met again at the Frontier Days Committee Concert featuring Blake Shelton and Toby Keith. Prior to the performance, the young women visited backstage and posed for photos with Keith.

On Sunday, July 21, the Happy Canyon representatives and princesses left Cheyenne early for their flight out of Denver to return to Pendleton. Meanwhile, the Round-Up court enjoyed a couple of hours of souvenir shopping prior to participating one more time in the Frontier Days Grand Entry. The queen and princesses enjoyed some time with their mothers while the fathers made preparations for returning home. The court was again allowed to watch the rodeo from several vantage points before leaving at 4 p.m. to board the jet and head for home.

July 23, both courts spent the day at Langdon Lake with hosts Sally Duff, Colleen Burns, Patti Ann DeGrofft, Fran Fife, Colleen Hunt and Cathy Sherman. They enjoyed lunch together and cooling off in the lake. The hostesses gave the young ladies gift bags that included a camera, flip-flops and hat.

The Happy Canyon and Round-Up courts met for breakfast July 25, at the Adams Cafe, hosted by Marilyn Lieuallen and Barbara Beamer. The young ladies received choker necklaces as gifts before heading for Chief Joseph Days.

Just before arriving at Joseph, the Happy Canyon princesses were hosted by former court director, Terry McArtor and his wife, Jeannie for a taco buffet at their home in Lostine. The princesses and the Happy Canyon directors toured the McArtor’s new home and the hosts presented the princesses with gifts of St. Joseph Days hats.

After arriving in Joseph that afternoon, the Round-Up court stopped by to thank Kirk and Mary Hayes who provide stalls for their horses for the event. They then enjoyed a late luncheon hosted by former Round-Up court parents Dave and Darlene Turner and family, John and Cindi Bailey, Craig and Candi Willis and Sandi Kolbaba, all of Joseph. Also invited were all the Round-Up and Happy Canyon directors, their wives and court parents. A thundershower failed to dampen spirits.

The courts mounted for the grand entry at 6 p.m. and looked great as they added color and support to Joseph’s event. The rodeo went well also, as Princess Jill’s brother, Tom Sorey, was winning his steer roping event.

Parade mornings always begin early, with parents grooming the horses and court members working on looking their best. The Pendleton contingent was at about the midway mark of the parade. The Happy Canyon princesses lead out a two-block procession that included the Queen and court, Round-Up and Happy Canyon directors, and Main Street Cowboys, interspersed with the hard-working Round-Up pennant bearers.

The courts enjoyed two lunches Saturday, stopping first for the Queen’s Luncheon for all visiting royalty. They also enjoyed the luncheon traditionally hosted by the Happy Canyon board of directors.

After a short rest, the young women again rode in the Grand Entry.

While at Joseph, the courts received a gift certificate from Chuck and Bobbie Maiden of Walla Walla, and custom Round-Up picture frames from Wendy Sorey, Mary Lou Fletcher, Whitney Porter and Becky Waggoner of Pendleton.