July 2025 Newsletter
Good morning Casper,
We’re thrilled to announce that Pietta Firearms has officially begun moving into their newly renovated space at the Casper-Natrona County International Airport. Not only is their location coming alive, but they’ve already hired their first two local employees. Proof that Pietta was always destined to call Casper home! Honestly, it’s hard not to light up when you see a company with such rich legacy, artistry, and purpose putting down roots in Casper. We’ve been working on this relocation project for a long time, and it's beyond energizing to see it come to fruition.
To everyone who had a hand in making this happen - thank you. Your persistence and collaboration are exactly what makes economic growth here possible.
Also, before I let you get back to your Parade Day Frosty's beers, a quick reminder: our annual Advance Casper Golf Tournament is coming up on Friday, July 25th, and we’d love to have you. It’s a perfect opportunity to connect with fellow members, soak up the Wyoming sun, and claim longest drive in the office for the year. Whether you’re there to compete or just make the rounds with good company, don't wait to register - only a few spots left!
Thanks, as always, for being part of this work and community. Let's grow Casper!
Sincerely,
Justin
Justin Farley
CEO | President
justin@advancecasper.com
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NEW & NOTEWORTHY IN
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
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Casper Start-Up Challenge Applications Open August 1st
Advance Casper is preparing for another year of hosting the Casper Start-Up Challenge - a community-driven competition providing mentorship and high-touch support to Natrona County’s boldest new business ideas and the people behind them. Focused on high-growth entrepreneurs, the Start-Up Challenge is intentionally designed to not only turn local ideas into lasting impact; but to shape the future of Casper forever.
If you’re involved in the local business scene, you know the Start-Up Challenge has proudly called Casper home since 2017. Over the years, the competition has fueled household names such as: Backwards Distillery, Infinite Outdoors, Disa Technologies and more. Providing each company with seed money, lasting connections, and a personalized growth plan to actualize their wildest entrepreneurial dreams.
In 2024 Advance Casper took ownership over the Challenge to continue to turn start-ups into success stories. We've found immense joy in facilitating the annual event and are looking forward to what’s to come.
The Casper Start-Up Challenge’s goal is to empower the entrepreneurial spirit in local trailblazers while expanding the economy. The competition is tailored to new, independent businesses in the seed, start-up, or early growth stages and generally excludes real estate syndications, franchises, brick and mortar retail, and/or spin outs from existing corporations.
Finalists gain exclusive access to experienced advisors, custom business development support, and a platform to showcase their concept. All in preparation for the final pitch night at Frontier Brewing on October 30, 2025 where entrepreneurs present in front of a panel of judges and the community for a chance to win allocated seed money.
Applications for the Casper Start-Up Challenge 2025 open on August 1st. If you've been dreaming up a unique business concept or stirring in a creative idea, the time is now to bet on yourself.
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Smart Move: A Texas Transplant Shares His Experience Putting Down Roots in Casper
"Johnathan Boudreaux was working in the oil industry and living with his family in Houston when his company transferred him to Casper in 2018.
'We fell in love with it immediately. We really like the small town vibe, especially coming from Houston. We enjoy the sense of community,' Boudreaux says. 'It's just a really welcoming city with good people, and there's so much to do here.'
His family has no regrets about their move. It has turned out to be a great choice for Boudreaux, his wife, Lindsey, and their children, ages 8 and 16. Boudreaux shares more on his experience turning Casper into a home."
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6th Annual Golf Scramble | July 25th @ 8am
Your favorite Advance Casper event is less than three weeks away! Dust off your clubs, gather your teams, and meet us on the green for our 6th Annual Golf Scramble on Friday, July 25th at Three Crowns Golf Club.
Back by popular demand is our second annual Long Drive Contest which starts at 8:15am, is $20/ person, and each contestant gets three drives!
Check in starts at 8:00am, and we tee off at 9:00am after the Long Drive Contest. Limited availability - email Chanel to sign up and reserve your spot!
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Central Wyoming Fair & Rodeo | July 4th - 12th
Parade Day is here, and that means it’s time to kick off one of Casper’s favorite summer traditions - the Central Wyoming Fair & Rodeo! Running July 4th - 13th, the Fair & Rodeo is a true celebration of our Western roots and the people who make Central Wyoming such a special place to call home. From rodeo nights and 4-H exhibits to carnival rides and endless fair food, there’s something for everyone. Fair gate admission is free on Parade Day (July 8th) and $7 from July 9th - 12th. Rally your friends, dust off your boots, and let’s make some memories out at the fairgrounds!
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Casper Balloon Festival | July 11th - 13th
Mark your calendars for July 11th - 13th, when Casper’s summer skies come alive with the Casper Balloon Roundup presented by Casper Children’s Center. Watch in awe as colorful hot air balloons soar at sunrise from Mike Sedar Park at 6:00am offering a picture-perfect morning to remember.
Then, on Friday, July 11 from 5pm - 8 pm, the magic settles downtown for a lively Balloon Festival Event at David Street Station, sponsored by Haven on the Rock. Stroll through balloon baskets aglow, enjoy live music, savor tasty food trucks and beer vendors, and shop local business booths in a vibrant, community-style celebration.
With events free and open to all, it’s a weekend destined to lift Casper’s spirits. We hope to see you there enjoying the glow and good company!
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64th Annual Crazy Days | July 18th - 19th
Crazy Days is back July 18th &19th for its 64th year in downtown Casper. Expect two full days of: stand out sidewalk sales, street‑side vendors, tasty food trucks, cornhole tournaments, live entertainment, and more. Don’t miss the Saturday night street dance at 7 p.m. where the whole town will light up the night! From merchants filling the streets and all of the 5150' joining the party, it's the perfect weekend to #ShopLocal and celebrate summer. See you there!
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Wyoming Firearms & Outdoor Rec Expo | July 19th 11am - 6pm
The Wyoming Firearms & Outdoor Recreation Expo returns to David Street Station on Saturday, July 19th from 11am - 6pm for a full day of celebrating Wyoming’s outdoor culture. This free, family-friendly event features over 20 local exhibitors, including Lucid Optics, MAVEN, Guardian Warrior Solutions, and Wyoming Game & Fish. Enjoy live music from Joey Patterson, delicious food trucks, hands-on demos, prize giveaways, and a special Outdoor Recreation Legislative Panel at 11am.
The Expo runs alongside the Wyoming Governor’s Match, highlighting our state’s commitment to the shooting sports, industry, and way of life. Advance Casper is proud to sponsor this event that brings together community and adventure - all in the heart of downtown Casper.
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The Talbott Brothers at The Bloomery | July 12th 7pm - 9pm
Kick back under Wyoming’s open sky with a night of soulful Americana from Nebraska-bred siblings, Nick and Ty Talbott, at The Bloomery on Saturday, July 12 from 7–9 p.m., with gates opening at 6:15 pm.
Known for their blue‑collar authenticity and heartfelt harmonies - praised by Rolling Stone as “cinematic folk‑rock for open highways” - they’ll showcase songs from their latest album Borderlands, released this May.
Nestled amid blooming fields and old-growth trees, The Bloomery invites you to bring chairs, blankets, and your favorite people for an evening of live music, local fare, and Wyoming charm. It’s the perfect summer date night or family outing - an intimate concert experience celebrating community, artistry, and the wide-open West.
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