Inspirational speaker added to Discovery Days

Organizers for the fourth annual Wyoming Discovery Days at Hot Springs State Park in Thermopolis have new things planned.

New this year will be an acoustic bluegrass jam; Make Art in the Park; Dutch oven cooking competition, three pitmasters cooking and demonstrating, Hoop the Owl (appearing in 120 Hollywood movies) will be available for photos.

New on Friday evening will be a concert and dance in the pavilion with music from Eight Second Ride out of Casper starting at 8 p.m.

On Sunday, organizer Audra Dominguez said they are bringing in an inspirational speaker, Shilo Harris, who will speak at 4:15 p.m.

According to Harris’ website, “On his second deployment with the 10th Mountain Division he was assigned and worked near southern Baghdad. On Feb. 19, 2007, Harris’ armored vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device (IED). The explosion injured the driver and ended the lives of three of his fellow soldiers. Shilo survived but with severe third degree burns on 35% of his body. The severity of the burns meant the loss of Shilo’s ears, the tip of his nose and three fingers. The crushing explosion fractured his left collarbone and C-7 vertebrae.

“The devastating injuries required that Shilo remain in a medically induced coma for 48 days; after, he spent nearly three years recovering and undergoing intensive physical therapy at the burn unit of Brooklyn Medical Center (BAMC) in San Antonio, Texas. While at BAMC, he was the first soldier to participate in cutting-edge regenerative stem-cell research to regrow his fingers, and later received prosthetic ears. Shilo’s recovery has involved more than 75 surgeries, which required his family to spend up to six hours a day on wound care.

“Shilo also struggled from PTSD. In 2010 he was medically retired from the Army. Shilo reflects on his time in the service and his injuries: ‘Everything in life is a gift. Sometimes it may not be the gift you want but you realize that your challenges are a new beginning.’”

He says on his website, “I realize that God has given me a chance at a better life. I have made a choice that I will not let the bad things define who I am or who I will be. My past will be tools for my future, as I have learned from those things. The scars don’t make the man, they make him stronger! I am stronger and have many blessings in my life. I will make better decisions now and in the future. I will be the better man.”

Wyoming Discovery Days is free to attend.

Dominguez said this year there will be parking at the high school with a wagon shuttling people back and forth from the lot to the park.

“The whole park is handicap accessible, and everything is accessible from the sidewalk. This is for everybody of all ages. There is something for everybody, lots of shade and great food vendors,” Dominguez said.

Demonstrations and activities include the Fort Casper Garrison with multiple demonstrations including a fur trader and doll making; geologist; antique farm equipment, Pony Express mail station, petting zoo; Paint the Tepee, which will then be displayed in Thermopolis, joining two others from previous Discovery Days; storytelling, Wyoming Game and Fish robobear, ag Olympics, crafts and more.

Music in the pavilion begins at 11 a.m. Saturday with Puddle Jumping, Tom Brady, Stepheny Butcher, Angela Perry, Liam and Layne Jordan, Rowdy Uncle, Kerry Wallace Bank and Christian Wallowing Bull. Sunday music starts at 10 a.m. with Lark Beach, Connie Dover, Aaron Davis, Jalan Crossland and Isaac Hayden.

The festivities conclude at 5 p.m. with the annual weenie dog race.

Check the website for a full schedule at wyomingdiscoverydays.org.