EVANSTON — Crowning of the 2019 Cowboy Days royalty took place at the Spring Fling on Saturday, June 22, at the Evanston Machine Shop. A large crowd gathered for a night of food, the naming of the rodeo marshal, a western wear fashion show, a live auction of many donated items and, lastly, the crowning of the royalty.

The evening started with a social hour and time for guests to view the donated items for the live auction. There was a variety of items, including handmade quilts, tickets to the DARE concert, a live goat, metal sculpture, toys and much more. 

Guests enjoyed a buffet meal prepared by Bridger Valley resident Clara Walker and a fashion show of men’s and women’s western wear sponsored by Murdoch’s. Following the meal, the live auction was conducted by Rick Bolinder.

Several days later, Cowboy Days Chair Dustin Matthews said, “We made a profit at the Spring Fling and I counted about 185 people attending. It was a great success.”

Roy Lester was chosen as Cowboy Days Rodeo and Parade Marshal. His daughter Marlene Mackey had written a bio to be read as he was honored.

“Roy was born March 2, 1943, in Evanston. As he grew into a young man, he trained saddle horses and worked draft horse teams with his father Bill. He competed in team penning, horse shows, endurance riding, and annual pony express re-enactments. From a young age, Roy enjoyed the Evanston Cowboy Days celebration. After Trudy, his oldest daughter, became Cowboy Days Queen in 1987, Roy joined the Evanston Cowboy Days committee. He helped with new ideas, such as freestyle reining competitions in the middle of the rodeo, special needs rodeos and all-girl rodeos held on Labor Day weekend. In 1997 his youngest daughter, Marlene, became Evanston Cowboy Days Queen as well. We tried to count how many Evanston Cowboy Days Queen and Miss Rodeo Wyoming winners he actually trained over the years, and there were too many to count. There are still many of Roy’s students from over the years — whether it be from school, where he taught auto mechanics for 29 years, or with horses — that stop family members to talk about his influence in their lives and the example he has set for others.”

A special event took place when Brittany Mathson, a faithful follower of the Cowboy Days Celebration, was crowned Honorary Rodeo Queen. Almost overwhelmed with excitement, she was crying and laughing the whole time as she was presented with a sash, a crown and flowers. It was a touching moment for all the guests and the past queen and princesses who crowned her.

Final event of the evening was the crowning of Tristan Moulton of Bluffdale, Utah, as Cowboy Days Queen and Destiny Swensen of Evanston as First Attendant.  

Jayda Ellis of Evanston was crowned as Cowboy Days Princess, Jaylee Rasmussen of Riverdale, Utah, as First Attendant to the Princess, and Erica Parkyn of Lyman as Second Attendant to the Princess.