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Returning to the Park County Fair this year for their 26th appearance is the Absaroka Mountain Thunder clogging group following a productive competitive season.
The group regularly competes in …
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Returning to the Park County Fair this year for their 26th appearance is the Absaroka Mountain Thunder clogging group following a productive competitive season.
The group regularly competes in various regional dancing events, such as the America on Stage Clog Nationals hosted in Farmington, Utah, and the Big Sky Games in Billings, Montana. This April, Absaroka Mountain Thunder took gold in eight events under the DanceSport Stage category in the Big Sky Games, with the group’s most advanced team, Explosion, taking the highest overall group score.
With the exception of 2020, the Thunder has performed at every Park County Fair since its formation in May 2000. The group has been operated by Cindy Bjornestad and her daughter, Tara Shorb, since its creation. The two have been clogging together for over 35 years, with Shorb’s daughters also serving as performers in the group.
This season hosts a roster of 38 dancers who will be performing a variety of genres and styles, from traditional and Irish style to contemporary and country selections.
“We have something that will appeal to everyone,” Bjornestad said.
Although the group does not plan to showcase their award winning Buffalo Bill Wild West Show routine this year, Bjornestad said they will be debuting a new traditional, Irish performance in its place.
Bailee Allred and Piper Bradish are the most proficient cloggers of the group with 13 years and seven years of experience, respectively. The group hosts a wide age range, with performers as young as 4 years old. Bjornestad previously told the Tribune how the audience can see the younger dancers become more confident and energetic as they watch their older partners’ performances.
The group also has a patriotically themed closing performance planned every night they are set to perform in honor of America’s 250th anniversary.
“The girls really like being able to perform for their community and their friends,” Bjornestad said.
The Absaroka Mountain Thunder will be performing on the Pepsi Free Stage at the fairgrounds on Tuesday at 3 p.m. and from Wednesday to Friday at 5 p.m.
