Dani Gilgen, 2010 Miss Laramie Jubilee Days
Howdy folks from Miss Laramie Jubilee Days2010 Dani Gilgen. For most of you that know me, rodeo queen was probably the last thing you thought I’d be. Going from ponytails to big curly hair and hairspray. Not wearing much makeup to big makeup, and blue jeans and a hoodie to the beautiful, sparkly clothes. Something that not even I thought would happen. On May 2, 2009 my thoughts all changed. I went through the toughest, most rewarding competition of my life. Tryouts for lady in waiting taught me a lot about myself I didn’t know.
From the time I was on my first horse at a month old I was hooked. From that point forward I couldn’t live without them in my life. You could always find me warming up the ropers horses at the local team roping's, or out in the pasture brushing and loving on the horses. During the summers I participated in the many horse shows and barrel races that were put on. From age 6 I have had the honor of carrying the American flag for Shirley Lilly in her horse show. I have also volunteered for the honor of running the sponsor flags during the Jubilee Days rodeos for many years.
I attended school in Laramie until my junior year. I transferred to Rock River School for my senior year where I graduated on the Principals Honor Roll in 2006. I would like to pursue a career in law enforcement as a sheriff’s deputy. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family. Being outdoors with the dogs, horses or hunting is just a few things we love doing together.
As a young girl my dream was to be a rodeo queen. Watching these lovely rodeo ambassadors carry themselves, pushed me to try out. I hope that during my rein I can inspire the younger generations of cowgirls to do the same. We will be holding a clinic in late January or early February for any girls age 11 to 15 interested in trying out for princess, and girl’s age 18 to 22 wanting to try out for lady in waiting. These tryouts will be held in early March. Dates for both events are still pending, but we will keep everyone posted.
I would like to invite everyone out to enjoy all the festivities during this year's Laramie Jubilee Days. There are lots of traditional activities such as the Parade and the PRCA Rodeos as well as some new ones like the Ribeye Rodeo and the Cowboy Poet. I hope you all enjoy this year's Jubilee Days!
Royalty History
The Laramie Jubilee Days celebration of Laramie, Wyoming had its beginning in 1940. It was initiated to commemorate the Golden Anniversary of Wyoming Statehood on July 10. The first ‘Equality Days’ included a fiddlers’ contest, chariot races and a giant parade. The next year the event turned into a three-day celebration and became known as Laramie Jubilee Days.
Through the years, the number of days of the festivities has varied, as have the scheduled events, ranging from horse racing and horse shows to steer roping and rodeo. One thing that has remained the same for 69 years is the representation and goodwill the Royalty has provided to Laramie Jubilee Days. The Royalty represent LJD throughout the area and fulfill the duties of goodwill ambassadors in their own unique style.
As the LJD celebration has changed and evolved over the years, so has the method of selecting the royalty. In the beginning, the two representatives were chosen by ballots that sold for 25 cents each. Today, a panel of judges evaluates the contestants on excellence of performance in horsemanship, personality and appearance. The crown in the early years was a traveling crown. Today, each queen is given her own to keep.
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Royalty
