Jeffrey City, Wyoming, is hosting its 5th annual Nephrite Jade Festival, Friday, August 14 through the 16th. The Wyoming Jade Festival in Jeffrey City, Wyoming, is an annual gathering celebrating the state’s legendary status as home to some of the purest jade in the world.
Festival Activities
The festival features tons of raw and polished Wyoming jade of every size, grade, and price point offered by regional vendors. Other activities include the Mac Goss Memorial Jade Hunt, a group field trip and gathering held on the opening Thursday to honor local mentor Mac Goss, and The Golden Ticket Treasure Hunt, a family-friendly treasure hunt hidden out in the local jade fields with clues and a grand prize piece of jade.
The town of Jeffrey City has a rich history, having been transformed from a small homestead in the 1950s when uranium was harvested near there. However, the uranium market collapsed in the early 1980s, and the town went into a rapid decline, with 95% of the population leaving.
A Town Reborn
Despite its decline, Jeffrey City is still home to a few residents, including Byron T. Seeley, a potter who lives and works in the town. Seeley’s work is unique, and he often shoots at his pottery before glazing and finishing it. Visitors to the town can stop by his shop and purchase some of his beautiful and unique pieces.
Original reporting: K2 Radio (Casper) — read the source article.
