The City of Ketchum Announces The 2025 Wagon Days Events, Taking Place August 29-31

Scheduled activities include the Big Hitch Parade, live music and cultural demonstrations, and other fun activities for the whole family that celebrate Ketchum’s history and pioneering spirit

 The City of Ketchum is pleased to announce details for the 68^th annual Wagon Days events. Held since 1958, Wagon Days has become a cherished tradition that brings community members and visitors alike together over Labor Day weekend to enjoy activities that celebrate Ketchum’s history and mining heritage. Events are fun for the whole family and include a variety of food and beverage vendors, live performances and cultural presentations, and historic displays. The highlight of the weekend is the Big Hitch Parade on Saturday, Aug. 30. One of the largest non-motorized parades in the West, this procession through Downtown Ketchum showcases an impressive array of vintage horsedrawn buggies, carriages, and stagecoaches and culminates with the historic Lewis Ore Wagons, pulled by a hitch of twenty Shire draft horses.

"Wagon Days takes us back in time to recognize the challenges of the past and the journey that got us here, and it reminds us of our responsibility to be good stewards of our town for the generations to come."

  - Neil Bradshaw, Mayor of Ketchum

2025 WAGON DAYS SCHEDULE

FRIDAY, AUG. 29

SUN VALLEY STORY TOUR

10:15 a.m. at the Visitors Center (491 Sun Valley Rd.)
Take a one-hour guided tour of the area’s most historic locales. Reservations (which are required) can be made at 208-726-3423.

COWBOY POETRY

1-4 p.m. at the Ore Wagon Museum (500 East Ave., Ketchum)
Join Idaho Cowboy Poets as they share tales reflecting the land, lifestyle, and stories of times past.

GRAND MARSHAL RECEPTION

5:30-7 p.m. at Ketchum Town Square (480 4th St. East)
This ceremony celebrates the 2025 Grand Marshals who are being honored for their enduring contributions to the community of Ketchum. Food and beverages are provided, courtesy of the City of Ketchum.

SATURDAY, AUG. 30

CHILDREN'S AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
10 a.m.-4 p.m. at East Ave. and 4th St.
Explore pioneer living with a host of fun family activities, including a petting zoo, face painting, cultural arts and crafts, stories by the Northern Shoshone Band of the Shoshone Bannock Tribe, and more!

HORSEMANSHIP AND CULTURAL DEMONSTRATIONS

10-11:30 a.m. at Champions Meadow (200 Sun Valley Rd.)
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.

THE BIG HITCH PARADE

1 p.m. at Sun Valley Rd. and winding north on Main St.
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. For the grand finale, the Big Hitch showcases the iconic (and last of their kind!) Lewis Ore Wagons, pulled by a hitch of twenty Shire draft horses.

STREET PARTY
2:30 p.m. at Ketchum Town Square and East Ave. (480 4th St. East)
After the parade, enjoy a live concert with “Southern Country Blues singer/songwriter Chris Hennessee, including local food trucks, drinks, and more.

SATURDAY, AUG. 30 AND SUNDAY, AUG. 31

PAPOOSE CLUB PANCAKE BREAKFAST

8 a.m.–noon at Ketchum Town Square (480 4th St. East)
Enjoy an all-you-can-eat country breakfast of pancakes and sausage, served by Papoose Club members and local personalities.

HOW TO ATTEND

All Wagon Days events are free, except the Pancake Breakfast on Saturday and Sunday, which is a fundraiser for the Papoose Club. A nominal fee for the breakfast is required when you arrive. A limited number of reserved bleacher seating is also available for $30 a person. Seats may be reserved online at wagondays.com or at the Ore Wagon Museum (500 East Avenue), which will be open daily, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., from Aug. 11 through 31. The museum also serves as the Wagon Days headquarters. There, you’ll find all event information, maps, and merchandise, and can 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. More information can be found online at wagondays.com

ABOUT THE CITY OF KETCHUM

The city of Ketchum is located in the Wood River Valley in south-central Idaho. Founded in 1880 during the mining boom, Ketchum is now regarded as one of the most popular destinations for winter and summer visitors due to its world-class skiing, mountain biking, fishing, hiking, restaurants, art galleries, and shopping. The city of Ketchum hosts the famous annual Wagon Days Parade, held on Labor Day weekend, and numerous other year-round attractions. Ketchum is home to more than 10,000 full- and part-time residents. For more information about the city of Ketchum, visit ketchumidaho.org.