The Rhythm of Cody

Recently, I gave a talk at the Business Brew about insights I’ve gained after three years of gathering events for the calendar. Two main factors influence the rhythm of Cody—tourism and the fact that Cody loves to gather. In fact, the Cody Journal/Calendar exists because of this love of gathering. Therefore, if you are looking ahead to plan events, use this rhythm to find a great weekend to hold your event.

Most people assume we have two seasons in Cody—summer and winter, or tourist season and the quiet town season. Although this is true, it’s more nuanced than that and really could be divided into six seasons:

The Seasons of Cody

• Jan – Mar | Q1 – Small Town Season/Quiet Time
• Apr – May | Transition to Summer/Gearing Up
• June | Build-Up to the 4th of July
• July – Aug | Tourist Season
• Aug – Sept | Art Season
• Oct – Dec | Q4 – Holiday Season

Small Town Season (January-March)

During this time, the town is ready for a break after a busy holiday season. Consequently, the fewest events occur during the first weeks after the new year. Moreover, this is a valuable time when the focus is on the groups that people belong to. While the groups and clubs are not as strong as they used to be due to generational shifts in how people gather, this town still loves to gather, just in a more informal way.

Although there are few events, notable ones include the Ice Festival, the Ice Fishing Derby, Taste of Trails, and Pub Crawl. Notably, Valentine’s events usually sell out quickly; at least in 2024, many events chose the weekend before Valentine’s Day. In contrast, the other weekends in February were slow.

Gearing Up for the Summer Season (April – May)

By the time April rolls around, the focus shifts to looking forward to the summer. Those savvy about the Small Town Season are already working on the foundation for the tourist season by getting their websites and print materials together before it gets too busy.

In addition, Yellowstone opens the west and north entrances in mid-April, and visitors, unaware that not all gates open simultaneously, start to arrive in the Cody area.

Furthermore, April and early May are vendor show season, and the mid-May Horse Sale kicks off the season by bringing people to town.

Build-Up to the 4th of July (June)

As a result, the town’s pace ramps significantly in June as visitors begin to fill the town. Initially, more events happen at the beginning of June. Still, by the end of the month, all focus is on that first week in July when the town fills significantly.

Tourist Season (July-August)

After the 4th, the town is ready for a one-week break. However, it’s incredible how quickly the town is ready again. Families come, and the tourist season is in full swing through July and August. Yet, this drops off significantly once kids are back in school. Moreover, when kids head back to school, we also see businesses struggle with staff issues. Restaurants, in particular, may shift their hours.

Specifically, from mid-May (the Cody Horse Sale) through the end of August, almost every weekend has a major event [LINK].

Art Season (August-September)

During this time, Cody hosts one of the top Western Art Auctions in the country. The Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale gives us a wonderful base for being an art town. Furthermore, the collaboration between the Chamber and the Museum elevates it to a level of excellence not often seen in smaller towns.

In 2024, the art season shifted to really start in August with many Artist in Residence events and the Songwriter Festival. Looking ahead, I can see this Art Season expanding to other businesses in town in the future.
Holiday Season (October-December)

After the Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale, the town takes a bit of a pause before ramping up for holiday events. Most of these happen in October and November, culminating in the Lion’s Turkey Shoot/Turkey Day and the Chamber’s Christmas Stroll & Parade the following weekend. Although December doesn’t see many public events, it’s clear the town gathers for many Christmas parties for groups and friends getting together.

In Conclusion

Ultimately, shifting our mindset from two seasons to six will help us plan for the following year. This more nuanced approach allows for a more detailed look when planning ahead.

Moreover, understanding this overall rhythm can also help business owners examine the rhythm of their business and determine how best to use this information to find greater success.

If you’re already planning an event for next year, please get in touch, and we’ll put it on the calendar.

This article is proudly sponsored by Cody Calendar advertisers