ElkFest Draws International Antler Aficionados

Unique Jackson Hole event celebrates—and benefits—world’s largest elk herd

Jackson, Wyoming—April 14, 2008—Call it a racks to riches story:  Just miles from the National Elk Refuge, home to the world’s largest elk herd, Jackson celebrates the great wapiti each May with ElkFest, a weekend of festivities around the Jackson Hole Boy Scout Elk Antler Auction to benefit the National Elk Refuge and several area B.S. A. troops. The auctioned antlers in turn are transformed by artisans into often elaborate one-of-a-kind pieces, including the popular—and sometimes pricey—antler chandeliers. This year’s weekend of festivities will take place May 17-18, 2008, on Jackson’s Town Square.

In addition to the auction, event highlights include a Mountain Man Rendezvous, Chili Cook-off, musical performances and sale of handmade crafts.  Family-friendly activities, including a kids’ activity corner, a mountain man candy canon, and a Boy Scout Expo, are free.

International buyers travel to Wyoming for a chance to bid on antlers that are naturally shed by elk wintering on the National Elk Refuge and gathered by the Boy Scouts.  Bidders in the world-renowned auction buy antlers in bulk to use in everything from furniture and wall decorations to jewelry and food products.  Last year’s event sold 5,379 pounds of antlers for a total of $59,748. 

More than 200 Boy Scouts and adult leaders work with National Elk Refuge personnel for nearly 2,000 hours to prepare for the annual event by gathering, sorting, bundling and weighing the antlers for sale. The majority of proceeds from the auction (80 percent) are donated to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to assist with elk management and habitat on the Refuge.

For additional information visit the Jackson Chamber of Commerce website at www.jacksonchamber.com or call 307-733-3316. A schedule of events follows.

ElkFest Schedule of Events

Saturday, May 17                  All events on Town Square except where noted

7 am                                       Antler lots for B.S.A. Elk Antler Auction ready for viewing

7 am - 1 pm                           Food Court provided by Jackson Youth Baseball

7 am - 1 pm                           Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum booth

8 am - 12 pm                         Private Antler Sale north of the Town Square by Rotary Club, contact T.R. Pierce at 307-732-3050

8 am - 5 pm                           Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Great Elk Tour – the premier traveling conservation exhibit with some of the largest bull elk in the world!   Sponsored by: the National Elk Refuge

9 am - 1 pm                           Kids’ Corner - including educational tables and games.  Sponsored by:

Wyoming Game & Fish, Jackson Hole Weed Management and the National Elk Refuge

9 am                                       Registration for Boy Scouts of America Antler Auction begins

9 am - 9:30 am                      Free concert by Jackson Hole Community Band

9 am - 1 pm                           Elk Discovery Booth sponsored by Grand Teton Association with all proceeds benefiting the National Elk Refuge

10 am - 1 pm                         World Famous Jackson Hole Boy Scout Elk Antler Auction

10 am - 1 pm                         Jackson  B.S.A. Boy Scout and Cub Scout Expo

5 pm                                       Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Casino Games and Silent Auction begins at the

Bar J Chuckwagon

7 pm                                       Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Big Game Banquet Annual Fundraising Dinner at the Bar J Chuckwagon. For more information, call Chuck Teske at 307-739-0951.

May 17-26                              Mountain Man Rendezvous and Traders Row

9am – 6 pm daily                  Traders Row, Candy Cannon, Bow & Arrow Competition, Hawk & Knife Competition, and Atlatl Competition at the Teton County Fairgrounds. Continues through Old West Days.  For more information contact Tom Lucas at 307-330-7436 or tlucasart@wyoming.com.

May 18-26                 &nb
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