The excitement is building for the annual Willie Lawrence Memorial Shoot and Shop, set to take place on August 22 and 23 at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds. This event promises a weekend filled with thrilling mounted shooting competitions and a vibrant street market, all aimed at honoring the life of Willie Lawrence.

Lisa Grimsley of the Wyoming Desperados Mounted Shooters shared the significance of the memorial shoot, which honors her late partner, Willie Lawrence. “We started this shoot in 2016, and it has grown in popularity ever since,” she said. “Our numbers this year have literally tripled.”

Willie, who passed away unexpectedly last July, was a dedicated cowboy and a passionate participant in mounted shooting. “He was all things Wyoming,” Lisa recalled, highlighting his diverse roles as a Marine, fire chief, and forest service employee. The shoot will feature commemorative belt buckles and other prizes to celebrate his legacy.

The addition of the Star Valley Street Market to the shoot is set to enhance the weekend experience. “My part of it is just honoring small businesses, bringing small businesses out so they can generate and make money to promote themselves, and then in doing so, we also hope to donate back to mental health awareness,” Mica Ratzliff of the Star Valley Street Market explained. “This year we want to make it a really big, really awesome event for the whole community.”

The street market will feature a variety of vendors, including local food vendors like Star Valley Roasters and Corn Dog Company, as well as artisans selling handmade goods. Proceeds from the market will support mental health awareness, a cause close to both Lisa and Micah.

The mounted shooting competition itself is a thrilling spectacle. “The objective is to be fast and accurate,” Lisa explained. Each rider, mounted on horseback, aims to shoot at 10 balloon targets using 45-caliber single-action revolvers. “It’s family-friendly, with participants ranging from five years old to those in their 70s,” she added.

The event will feature various shooting patterns and competitions, including rifle and shotgun events, making it an exciting experience for both participants and spectators. Best of all, there’s no admission fee to watch, although donations to the local food pantry will be welcomed.

The Willie Lawrence Memorial Shoot and Shop will take place rain or shine, offering a fantastic family-friendly atmosphere. In addition to the mounted shooting and street market, the Lincoln County Fairgrounds will also host a car show on Saturday, adding even more excitement to the weekend.

Pre-registration for the Hot Star Valley Nights Car Show is still open. As Crystal, organizer of the show, notes, “Our show isn’t just about antiques. It is anything someone wants to show off. We have three motorcycles, boats, side by sides, or jacked-up trucks—it’s all welcome!” This year’s fundraiser aims to support local school lunch accounts, featuring a creeper race and raffle items. Attendees can donate at money boxes at each entry; the box with the most dollars will win the People’s Choice Award, with awards presented at 4:00 PM. The cruise through town will conclude at the south end at 5:30 PM.

Mark your calendars for August 22 and 23, and join in the celebration at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds. With thrilling competitions, local vendors, and a focus on community support, the Willie Lawrence Memorial Shoot, Shop, and Show promises to be a memorable event for all.