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THE 2025 WAGON DAYS EVENTS WILL TAKE PLACE AUGUST 29-31

Ketchum’s history and mining heritage are commemorated each Labor Day Weekend with activities for the whole family, including food vendors, live music, and cultural presentations. Featured during the festivities is the Big Hitch Parade, one of the largest non-motorized parades in the West, showcasing exquisite buggies, carriages, carts, and stagecoaches, including the historic Lewis Ore Wagons. These six massive wagons will traverse a parade route through downtown Ketchum, pulled by a twenty Shire hitch team!

WAGON DAYS 
STREET PARTY

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After the Parade - Wagon Days Street Party Following the passing of the Big Hitch down Main Street, pop over to Ketchum Town Square for the Wagon Days Street Party, featuring a live concert with music from Southern rock and outlaw picker Chris Hennessee.

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The live music and street party event will also include local food vendors, beverages, and events suitable for families.

Take a Listen

Event Schedule
 

  • Ore Wagon Museum and Wagon Days Headquarters
    Ore Wagon Museum and Wagon Days Headquarters
    Mon, Aug 11
    Aug 11, 2025, 11:00 AM MDT – Aug 31, 2025, 6:00 PM MDT
    Ketchum, 500 East Ave, Ketchum, ID 83340, USA
    Open 11 AM-6 PM, August 11-31: find all event information, maps, and merchandise, and explore Ketchum's mining heritage with displays that showcase the town’s past, including an opportunity to get up close to the massive Lewis Ore Wagons.
  • History Half Hour at High Noon - The Lewis Ore Wagons
    History Half Hour at High Noon - The Lewis Ore Wagons
    Thu, Aug 28
    Aug 28, 2025, 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM MDT
    Ore Wagon Museum, 500 East Ave, Ketchum, ID 83340, USA
    A deep-dive into our iconic ore wagons and the history surrounding them Free. No registration required.
  • Wood River Valley's Mining Legacy: From Mining Center To Ski Area
    Wood River Valley's Mining Legacy: From Mining Center To Ski Area
    Thu, Aug 28
    Aug 28, 2025, 5:30 PM MDT
    The Community Library, 415 Spruce Ave, Ketchum, ID 83340, USA
    Join historian John W. Lundin at The Community Library Lecture Hall for Wood River Valley's Mining Legacy: From Mining Center To Ski Area.
  • Sun Valley Story Tour
    Sun Valley Story Tour
    Fri, Aug 29
    Aug 29, 2025, 10:15 AM MDT
    Ketchum Visitor Center, 491 Sun Valley Rd, Ketchum, ID 83340, USA
    Take a one-hour guided tour of the area’s most historic locales. RSVP (required) by calling 208.726.3423.
  • Cowboy Poetry
    Cowboy Poetry
    Fri, Aug 29
    Aug 29, 2025, 1:00 PM MDT
    Ore Wagon Museum, 500 East Ave, Ketchum, ID 83340, USA
    Join Idaho Cowboy Poets as they share tales reflecting the land, lifestyle, and stories of times past.
  • Grand Marshal's Reception
    Grand Marshal's Reception
    Fri, Aug 29
    Aug 29, 2025, 5:30 PM MDT
    Ketchum, Town Square (480 4th St E, Ketchum, ID 83340, USA)
    This ceremony celebrates the 2025 Grand Marshals, who will be honored for their enduring contributions to the Ketchum community. Food and beverages are provided, courtesy of the City of Ketchum.
  • Papoose Club Pancake Breakfast
    Papoose Club Pancake Breakfast
    Sat, Aug 30
    Aug 30, 2025, 8:00 AM MDT
    Ketchum Town Square, 480 4th St E, Ketchum, ID 83340, USA
    Enjoy an all-you-can-eat country breakfast of pancakes and sausage, served by club members and local personalities.
  • Horsemanship and Cultural Demonstrations
    Horsemanship and Cultural Demonstrations
    Sat, Aug 30
    Aug 30, 2025, 10:00 AM MDT
    Champions Meadow, 200 Sun Valley Road, SUn Valley, ID 83353
    Experience the culture and traditions of Native Americans at this Pow Wow demonstration with the Northern Shoshone Band of the Shoshone Bannock Tribe. The Eh-Capa Bareback Riders will also exhibit their exceptional and courageous riding skills in a style similar to that of Native American culture.
  • Children's and Cultural Activities
    Children's and Cultural Activities
    Sat, Aug 30
    Aug 30, 2025, 10:00 AM MDT
    East Ave & 4th St E, Ketchum, ID 83340, USA
    Explore pioneer living with a host of fun family activities, including a petting zoo, face painting, cultural arts and crafts, mining for "gems" in front of the Wood River Museum, pony rides, and more!
  • The Big Hitch Parade
    The Big Hitch Parade
    Sat, Aug 30
    Aug 30, 2025, 1:00 PM MDT
    Sun Valley Road and Main Street, Ketchum, ID, USA
    Prepare to be transported back in time with one of the country’s most remarkable non-motorized parades, featuring an impressive display of museum-quality carriages, carts, and stagecoaches and a host of other Idaho equestrian traditions.
  • Street Party: Live concert featuring Chris Hennessee
    Street Party: Live concert featuring Chris Hennessee
    Sat, Aug 30
    Aug 30, 2025, 2:30 PM MDT
    Ketchum Town Square and East Avenue, 480 4th St E, Ketchum, ID, USA
    After the parade, enjoy a live concert with “Southern Country Blues" singer/songwriter Chriss Hennessee, including local food trucks, drinks, and more.
  • Papoose Club Pancake Breakfast
    Papoose Club Pancake Breakfast
    Sun, Aug 31
    Aug 31, 2025, 9:00 AM MDT
    Ketchum Town Square, 480 4th St E, Ketchum, ID 83340, USA
    Enjoy an all-you-can-eat country breakfast of pancakes and sausage, served by club members and local personalities.
About
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A KETCHUM TRADITION

Welcome to Wagon Days

Since 1958, the City of Ketchum has been commemorating its mining heritage with an impressive non-motorized parade, which has grown to become the largest of its kind in the western region. It's a perfect opportunity to spend a delightful day with your entire family. The renowned Big Hitch Parade kicks off on Saturday at 1 p.m.

The Big Hitch Parade showcases an array of exquisite buggies, carriages, carts, and stagecoaches, all exemplifying exceptional craftsmanship. The procession commences at 1 p.m., embarking from Sun Valley Road and gracefully winding its way north on Main Street. The grand spectacle of the event, as it has always been, will be the awe-inspiring "Big Hitch." This special attraction features historic Lewis Ore Wagons, magnificently pulled by a remarkable 20-mule team all the way from Bishop, CA, skillfully maneuvering them through a jerkline formation.

Don't miss this splendid occasion to witness the rich history and marvel at the captivating sights of the Big Hitch Parade.

Parade Route

Sun Valley Road - Main Street - Saddle Road

Wagon Days 2025

EVERYTHING YOU NEED

TO KNOW

ORE WAGON MUSEUM

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Get an up-close view of the gigantic Lewis Ore Wagons where they are on public display through our the month of August at the Ore Wagon Museum. 

RESERVED SEATING

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The best seats in the house!

Wagon Days offers a limited number of reserved seats, in prime position on the corner of Sun Valley Road and Main Street.

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Click here to purchase online

Street Closure Map

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Know before you go!

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Check out the Wagon Days Street Closure Map.

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Plan your route!

Entry List

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The Wagon Days Parade Entry List will be available to  beginning August 25th.

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191 5th St. West
Ketchum, ID 83340
208.726.3841

Contact Wagon Days

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