COWGIRL LIFE 6 Ways to Kick Up Your Heels at the College National Finals Rodeo in Caspar, Wyoming By CG Editorial Team | May 23, 2019 Courtesy Visit Casper. Share Every summer, hundreds of collegiate rodeo athletes come to Casper, Wyoming, to compete in the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR). The “Rose Bowl” of college rodeo, CNFR brings the best cowboys and cowgirls from 100 colleges to the middle of Wyoming to vie to become champions in saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, bull riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, team roping, breakaway roping, goat tying and barrel racing. And while each day’s performances take center stage, there are plenty of ways to cowboy up in Casper during the CNFR. 1. Catch Country Artist Ian Munsick at Gruner Brothers Brewing Courtesy Visit Caspar. Arguably one of the best up-and-coming Western artists in the music business, Ian is a native of Sheridan, Wyoming. Today, he calls Nashville home, but is going to be in Casper to attend CNFR and play an acoustic show at Gruner Brothers Brewing on Wednesday, June 12. If you haven’t heard of him, be sure to take a listen to Ian’s music here and then come join him for a boot-stomping show at Casper’s newest brewery. 2. Visit Lou Taubert Ranch Outfitters Courtesy Visit Caspar. Anchoring downtown Casper, Lou Taubert Ranch Outfitters is one of the best Western stores in the country. With 55,000 square feet of space, Lou Taubert Ranch Outfitters is home to nine stories, 10,000 pairs of cowboy boots and beautiful hats, with a hat-shaper on staff. Plus, 2019 marks the 100th anniversary of the store. 3. Attend CNFR at the Casper Events Center Courtesy Visit Caspar. While the daily performances are the main event at CNFR, there’s also plenty of other things happening at the Casper Events Center. Slated for June 9-15, 2019, CNFR also features a trade show, foundation style show and Special Olympics rodeo. Plus, country music singer Jake Maurer is playing a free post-CNFR show at the Events Center on Friday night at 9:30 p.m. 4. Taste Brews and Spirits Courtesy Visit Caspar. Casper’s beer and spirits scene continues to grow, with three new breweries joining the culinary scene in the last two years. The anchor of it all: Backwards Distilling Company. Home to made-in-Wyoming spirits, Backwards Distilling is a family company that’s been in Casper for 4.5 years and is a favorite among locals and travelers. Plus, they just opened a new tasting room in downtown Casper. Rounding out Casper’s adult beverage options are Gruner Brothers Brewing, Frontier Brewing Company and Skull Tree Brewing. 5. Get Down at the Downtown Hoedown Courtesy Visit Caspar. A new event this year that will take place at the recently completed David Street Station, the Downtown Hoedown is Saturday, June 15, and will kick off the city’s summer concerts series. Additional highlights: live music, mechanical bull riding, food trucks and beer. 6. Fish the North Platte River Courtesy Visit Caspar. Hands down, the North Platte River—which also happens to run through the heart of downtown Casper—is one of the best fly-fishing destinations in the country. The river has up to 5,000 fish per mile and these beauties are the kind you dream of landing. Their healthy, beautiful and feisty. Plus, the terrain you take in as you float the waters of the North Platte are incredible. More information about CNFR and visiting Casper, Wyoming, can be found at VisitCasper.com. COWGIRL LIFE | barrel racing breweries caspar cnfr college national finals rodeo Dining gruner brothers brewing hoedown ian munsick lou taubert rodeo rodeos roping Wyoming