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Sagebrush Sven. It’s one of our favorite events and highlights an important part of the culture and heritage of Johnson County.

Locals realize the Basque language is not anything like Spanish, French or English. In fact, it has no relatives in any other languages. This is one of the reasons many believe the Basques were the original people of Europe.

Any older residents remember when it was not uncommon to hear people visiting in Basque at most social gatherings. Few of the second and third generation families are fluent.

About the only thing Sven ever learned was, “Inork ba al daki ingelesez hemen?”

Which I think translates into something like, “Does anyone around here speak English?”

The Big Horn Basque Club published a wonderful booklet about the 2017 NABO (this one is a keeper). Besides the schedule of events, this color presentation has a lot of history and wonderful memorials to leaders in the community who have passed on.

Jason Camino is currently president of the club, and all the families in the community deserve credit for taking on the huge task of hosting this event.

The local Basque community hosted NABO for the first time in the 1980s. They do such a good job it draws a big crowd from all over the west.

Dance groups from Idaho, Utah, California and Wyoming will perform at various times this week, as will music groups.

It’s a wonderful opportunity to sample the music, dance and food of hardworking people who also know how to have a good time!