The dates of this summer's third annual Longmire Days, in the community of Buffalo Wyoming have been announced.

The celebration will take place July 17th- July 20th, and is in honor of Walt Longmire, a fictional Wyoming sheriff created by area author Craig Johnson. Longmire is the featured character in several of Johnson's books as well as a popular cable television series.

Brittiny Morrison, Head of Events at the Buffalo Chamber of Commerce, says that the event has grown each year they've held it.

"The very first time we did it, we did one day with Craig Johnson, only," says Morrison. "The second annual Longmire Days we stretched [the events] over two days, and now we're stretching it over four days."

Morrison says that Craig Johnson will be on hand and several members of the cast from the Longmire television show are also scheduled to appear for the events. Currently a meet and greet with attendees as well, a charity motorcycle poker run, and as a softball match are among the planned activities.

Johnson's Longmire novels, and the corresponding television show, take place in the fictional Absaroka County, which stands as an analog for the real Johnson County in Wyoming. Morrison says that Johnson's books helped to put the county and it's county seat, Buffalo, into national awareness.

"It really brings nationwide recognition to the area," she says. "you'll notice in the

Longmire Days crowd 2013 (Courtesy, Buffalo Chamber of Commerce)

show that they don't mention Johnson County or Buffalo, but they mention areas around it. So if somebody looked at a map they easily pinpoint where they're talking about."

Morrison goes on to say that the Buffalo Chamber of Commerce wanted to Celebrate Craig Johnson's success with the Longmire television series, and thus held the first Longmire Day in 2012. When the series was renewed for a second season, Morrison says things really blew up. "The Wyoming Tourism Department actually called us and said 'we'd really like to get involved in your Longmire days, but we'd like to make it bigger.'"

Morrison says that with the state tourism department involved they were able to, then, bring actors from the show to Buffalo for the event and host the 2013 event over two days. Last year Longmire Days drew approximately 5,000 people, effectively doubling the community of Buffalo's population. This year, Morrison says they're hoping to be even bigger with the event now scheduled over four days.

The A&E series Longmire, was just recently renewed for a third season.