By RORY MOORE
Tiger Media Network
The 2025 Wild West Festival will take place this week, Wednesday through Saturday, to help celebrate Independence Day. The main festival will be at Municipal Park, where gates will open at 5:30 p.m. and feature local vendors, activities and live music, while other events will happen across Hays.
WWF Committee President Julie Edgeman helped bring new and returning musical acts to celebrate the July 4th weekend with the town.
“This year’s artists will be Walker Montgomery, The Castellows, Brock Wagoner, Austin Williams, Drew Baldridge, Reprise, Paramount and Spin Doctors,” she said. “Austin’s a little younger than the other artists, around 20 years old, and he was on Good Morning America after he went viral on TikTok. Brock’s a Colby native, so he’s a bit of a local act.”
Coinciding events will include a carnival on the festival grounds Thursday through Saturday, the Wild West Fest 5K at 8 a.m. on Saturday and the Main Street Parade at 10 a.m. on Saturday. The Fireworks Spectacular will be at 10 p.m. on Friday (July 4).
“The 5K will begin near Hays Aquatic Park and go around town, and anyone who can’t make it can sign up for the virtual marathon they can run on their own time,” Edgeman said. “The parade will have all sorts of cars and people driving and walking through Downtown, and that includes businesses, organizations and anyone bringing their own cars to show off.”
For further information, including ticket sales and stage access, go to https://wildwestfestival.com/ or email contact@wildwestfestival.com.