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JUNE 20, 2012
Nebraska Farm Bureau News
Best of Festivals, Fairs and Other Fun in Nebraska By Tina Henderson If you want to celebrate cowboy history, participate in an old-fashioned pie eating or bubble gum blowing contest or be a part of a national chicken cluck-off, Nebraska in the summer is where you want to be for family, fun and sun! “Planning summer travel around festivals and events in Nebraska is a great way to see the state and enjoy all it has to offer,” Shannon Peterson, public relations coordinator for the state tourism division, said June 14. You can head to any community across this state and enjoy nonstop fun for your family and learn something new about our state in the process, she said. Below is a partial list of events you can attend across the state this summer! You can find a complete list of events at www.visitnebraska.gov, along with information about things to do, places to stay and other tools for planning a summer vacation in Nebraska.
race up Scotts Bluff National Monument. Oregon Trail Days is July 12-15 in Gering. If you haven’t seen the western part of Nebraska, it is a diamond in Nebraska’s rough. In general, western Nebraska is known for vast grasslands interrupted by the occasional windmill, gravel road or ageold barn. The area is beautiful, with downhome, good-natured souls who are always willing to help out a neighbor. You will see that when attending Oregon Trail Days.
Young and old alike will enjoy the Wayne Chicken Show, in Wayne. The event includes the National Cluck-off, which gains national attention. The event is free family fun for all ages. Wayne Chicken Show, Wayne July 13-15 www.chickenshow.com Northeast Nebraska is the home of the Wayne Chicken Show, in Wayne and this year’s theme is “Nightmare on Egg Street.” The event is free family fun for all ages. You won’t have a rotten time in Wayne! The 32nd annual event opens on Thursday, July 12 with a Farmer’s Market. The main events Friday, Saturday and Sunday include a cement chicken You can have some old-fashioned family fun at the Seward Fourth of July celebration. Many participate in the Bubble Gum Blowing contest. Fourth of July, Seward, July 4 www.julyfourthseward.com Seward, Neb., is known as the Fourth of July city. An estimated 40,000-plus people come to this community of 6,500 each year to celebrate Independence Day with a flag-raising ceremony, anvil firing, hot air balloons, quilt shows, air show, antique tractor and car show, ethnic dancers, art, essays, concerts, movies, national pole vaulting competition, parade, food and fireworks. It has some old-fashioned traditions like the pie eating contest and the bubble gum blowing event. If you want some great entertainment on July 4th, head to Seward!
Photo Courtesy of Gering Citizen
Participants in the annual Oregon Trail Days Bicycle Hill Climb enjoy a fun workout on Summit Road at Scotts Bluff National Monument in Gering. Hundreds of bicyclists participate in the annual event. Oregon Trail Days, Gering July 12-15 www.oregontraildays.com Did you know that Nebraska’s oldest continuous celebration is Oregon Trail Days in Gering? It features parades, entertainment, a chili cook-off, international food fair, regional art shows, craft fairs, and a bike
auction, fireworks, the Wayne Chicken Show Parade, downtown street dances, poker run, car show, food and craft vendors and many games and contests including the National Cluck-off.
Cowboys from all over participate in the Big Rodeo in Burwell. At the event you will see clowns, wild horse races and steer wrestling.
Kool-Aid Days is a variety of family fun and kid-friendly activities. At the event you will see the world’s largest Kool-Aid stand and of course the Kool-Aid man will be on hand too!
Nebraska’s Big Rodeo, Burwell July 25-28 http://nebraskasbigrodeo.com The town of Burwell, Neb., swells from 1,100 or so to nearly 21,000 people squeezing into town for wholesome family entertainment at the Burwell Rodeo! It is the only rodeo in the state with Canadian Chuck Wagon Races and a Wild Horse race. During the performance there are two chuck wagon races and one chariot race with different teams of horses. The rodeo uses the track for events to fill up the time while the Rodeo events are changing. So there is never a dull moment at this event. With Calamus Lake nearby offering water sports, camping and outdoor activities, and Burwell’s small town, rustic appeal, Nebraska’s Big Rodeo offers a lot of different options for those who want to relax, shut off the cell phone and enjoy a bit of old-fashioned cowboy fun.
Kool-Aid Days, Hastings Aug. 10-12 www.kool-aiddays.com In 1927, Edwin Perkins invented Kool-Aid in Hastings. The six original flavors were strawberry, cherry, lemon-lime, grape, orange and raspberry (Mr. Perkins’ favorite). Kool-Aid was produced at 506-508 West 1st St. in downtown Hastings, across from Burlington Station. Perkins Products were manufactured there until January of 1931. Nearly 80 years later, Kraft Foods owns Kool-Aid. Over 500 million gallons are consumed each year worldwide by children of all ages! Since Kool-Aid Days began in 1998, the hub of the action has been the World’s Largest Kool-Aid Stand. The event has a parade, the Kwickest Kool-Aid Drinking Contest and live stage entertainment that is family fun for all ages.
More Events Across Nebraska DATE EVENT CITY June 30 – July 1
Moo at the Zoo Omaha A fun-filled country- and agriculture-themed event! Savor some country cooking, join in the watermelon and pie eating, enjoy games and live music and so much more.
July 3-4
Old West Trail PRCA 66th Rodeo & 4th of July Celebration Crawford Rodeo, fireworks and parade. Kids fun day rodeo and junior princess contest on July 2.
July 5-7
Diller Picnic Diller Southeast Nebraska’s largest community festival. Mud drags, tractor pulls, carnival, street dance, parade and more.
July 7-8
GermanFest Syracuse Celebrate German heritage. German dancers and singers, veiner dog races, ribfest, two-block beer garden and more.
July 8
Funk Festival of Cupcakes Funk Professionals, amateurs and talented kids showcase their baking skills in the Cupcake Capitol of Nebraska! Cupcake decorating, homemade ice cream, judging and prizes.
July 12-15
Comstock Rock Fest Comstock Nebraska’s party in the pasture! Four-day music festival with your favorite rock artists. Camping available.
July 15-20
Nebraska Star Party Valentine Six nights of astronomical observing at one of the premier star parties in the country. Beginner-friendly for those interested in the hobby of amateur astronomy.
Aug. 3-5
Wilber Czech Festival Wilber Czech dancing and music, authentic food and costumes, bands, three parades and contests in the Czech Capital of Nebraska.
Aug. 9-12
Capitol City Ribfest Lincoln Street festival featuring America’s best BBQ from vendors across the country and a variety of live music.
Aug. 10-11
Nebraska Balloon and Wine Festival Omaha Enjoy award-winning wine, live music and a hot air balloon launch.
Aug. 24 – Sept. 23
Nebraska State Fair Grand Island 4-H shows, exhibits, concerts and more.