Continuous News

Wild West Winterfest draws more than just shoppers

Posted: Feb 16, 2013 9:54 PM by Ben Trotter

Dan Thyer is passionate about history. The Curator for the Nevada City Living History Museum spends his summers doing historical reenactments, playing out the drama of Virginia City's wild-west years.

"What we try to do is bring the past based upon researched accounts to life for the public." says Thyer, "It's an easy way for people to come in and learn."

And learn they did at exhibits ranging from old time firearms, a dress shop, baked goods, to even a gambling booth at the Wild West Winterfest in Bozeman all day Saturday.

The exhibits were made by passionate students of history, and proceeds benefit the Nevada City Living History Museums national conference held this fall in Nevada City.

Says presenter Cindy Westbroek, owner of Wildhorse Fashion, which hand makes period 19th century western clothing, "That time period was amazing in that people respected other people, they honored other people, they honored their parents, they honored tradition, they honored their families, and it's nice to teach that and bring that back."

If you're looking to learn a little yourself, the Winterfest runs Sunday at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds.