Rigby: Museums, Golf and Events

Rigby is in the Upper Snake River Valley and is nicknamed the “Birthplace of Television.” The city is also the hometown of Philo T. Farnsworth. Local themes range from television and regional history to golf and seasonal offerings. The Jefferson County Historical Museum, the Farnsworth TV & Pioneer Museum, the golf course and seasonal events each offer a different focus. When looking for hotels in Rigby, you can first decide whether culture, golf or a specific event date will shape your trip.

Museums and Local History

The Jefferson County Historical Museum features 14,000 square feet of exhibits on the pre-electric and early electric eras, the history of Jefferson County and early photography. This places technology and regional history alongside a dedicated focus on photography. The Farnsworth TV & Pioneer Museum introduces local inventors, including Philo T. Farnsworth. The connection to Farnsworth links this museum to Rigby’s nickname; the County museum’s exhibits broaden the picture to include technology, County history and photography.

A 2020 account names 3,449 men and women from Jefferson County at the Jefferson County Veterans Memorial in Rigby who had served in the armed forces from the Civil War through the time of that account. The memorial thus draws attention to people and their military service, while the museums focus on technology, inventions and County history.

Events and Winter Offerings

Rigby Stampede Days is an annual event featuring rodeo competitions such as bull riding and barrel racing. The program may change from year to year. Two event days were announced for June 21 and 22, 2024; a parade on Main Street was part of the program on June 22, 2024. These specific dates apply to 2024 and are not dates for another year. If your stay depends on the Stampede, check the dates and program for your travel year.

When The Ice Palace takes place during a winter season, it features ice tunnels, sledding hills, fire performances and local food vendors. The 2025/26 winter season was canceled because of weather conditions; a return in the 2026/27 season depends on sufficiently cold temperatures. Before your trip, check whether the Ice Palace has been announced for the winter you have in mind. This takes its expressly seasonal nature into account, rather than treating the attraction’s features as a guarantee for a particular season.

Seasonal Market and Golf

The Rigby Farmers Market in South Park offers locally produced goods, honey, dairy products, eggs, food trucks and artisan stalls. The seasonal offerings may vary. If you would like to include the market in your travel plans, check the dates and offerings for your travel period in advance.

Jefferson Hills Golf Course offers junior golf lessons and private instruction for individuals and groups. The course is set among mature trees and a meandering riverbed; it is also home to a wide variety of wildlife. Alongside the museums and events, it provides a distinct golf focus, encompassing both instruction and the course’s natural surroundings.

Interests span culture and golf; the market, Ice Palace and Stampede Days also depend on the season or a specific event date. This distinction is helpful when planning your trip: you can consider the museum topics and golf offerings as areas of interest, and check the relevant dates for seasonal offerings and events.

Discover more destinations: Ririe

For the main travel overview: Jefferson.