AUDUBON’S ANNUAL NEBRASKA CRANE FESTIVAL March 6 to April 11 at
NEBRASK A
14TH ANNUAL POLAR BEAR TANK RACE
multiple locations along the Platte River. Thousands of Sandhill cranes migrate through Nebraska each year, and this festival highlights the cranes. The event includes educational speakers, meals, and, of course, a trip to see the cranes. 308-468-5282. —ne.audubon.org
March 5 and 6 at Middle Loup River near Mullen. This timed event features teams of four-to-six people who race down the river in metal stock tanks. Prizes are awarded for tank decorations and themes. Teams may also choose to forgo the race and enjoy a relaxing float down the river. 308-546-2206. —sandhillsjourney.com
SMORGASBOARD March 21 at the high EARTH DAY April 25 in Lincoln. This school in Henderson. This event is year's event will be bigger, and a German feast as Nebraskans’ better than ever. The activities MARCH foremothers made it. The buffet includes live music, informational includes verenika (a cottage booths, food trucks, and a farmer’s cheese pocket with ham grav y market. —lincolnearthday.org over it), apple priescha (apple turnover), ham and noodles, IOWA zwiebach (roll), pluma mos (raisins and prunes cooked into a thick soup), BLUE RIBBON BACON FESTIVAL TBD. schnetya (rolled up fruit filled or raisin This annual event will pair the tastes filled dessert), worscht ( pork sausage), and sounds of the Caribbean with kumpzt borscht (cabbage soup), kluptz over 10,000 slices of bacon. There (meat patties) and plautz (cherr y or will be two stages of entertainment, a peach dessert). The high school band silent disco and silent yoga, and lots will perform following the dinner. of lectures and educational events in 402-723-4 434 . —cityofhenderson.org the Chamber of Bacon Enlightenment. —blueribbonbaconfestival.com/
THE NUTCRACKER BALLET March 6-7 at the Lied Center, Lincoln. The Lincoln Midwest Ballet Company will present its 36th annual production of the holiday classic, The Nutcracker. 420-472-4747. —liedcenter.org
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RODEO GRAND ISLAND TBA at Heartland Events Center in Fonner Park, Grand Island. This Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association event features team roping, barrel racing, and Xtreme Bulls Tour (Saturday). 308-3824515. —heartlandeventscenter.com SHAMROCK SHUFFLE 5K WALK/RUN/ CRAWL March 13 at Chuckles Bar in
Fairbury. Runners and walkers are encouraged to dress up in leprechaun gear for this event. The post-race celebration includes unique awards, live music, giveaways, green booze, and food. 402-729-3000. —fairburychamber.org
MARCH/APRIL 2021
NEBRASKA ROBOTICS EXPO April
8-10 at Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum in Ashland. This virtual event will include MARCH a CEENBoT Showcase, Creative Visual Arts Expo, and a FIRST Lego League Competition. 402944-3100. —sacmuseum.org
ST. PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATION March 17-20 in downtown O’Neill. The home of the “The World's Largest Shamrock” with nearly doubles its size to 7,000 people during St. Patrick’s Day weekend. Festivities begin Wednesday with the Irish Walk of Fame and the painting of the town's beloved shamrock. The big day is Saturday, with a fun run, Green Eggs and Ham breakfast, free concert, Irish dancers, a parade, kids activities, and more. 402-336-2355. —oneillchamber.com // 86 //
EASTER WEEKEND AT ARBOR LODGE April 10-12 at Arbor Lodge Mansion in Nebraska City. At this event, guests can discover the history of Easter traditions, enjoy fresh blooms, learn about spring planting on the Morton Farm, and view a vintage Easter postcard display. The mansion is open for self-guided tours and an egg hunt. 402-873-8722. —arbordayfarm.org
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FULL MOON HORSEBACK EXCURSION April 25 at Dusty Trails in North Platte. This trail ride begins at dawn and allows riders to experience the awakening prairie before enjoying a morning in the viewing blind, where you can see the prairie chicken dance. A hearty breakfast will be ser ved when you return to the ranch. 308530-0048. —dustytrails.biz
ST. PATRICK’S DAY FESTIVAL March 14-21 in Emmetsburg. This sister city of Dublin, Ireland, celebrates the “wearing o’ the green” in a grand way. Events include a bean bag tournament, fish fry, Guinness cookout tasting, free movie, live music, and a parade. Before the parade, eat a cup of Irish stew or a baked potato with toppings, or sample the entries from the chili cookoff. 712852-4326. —emmetsburgirishgifts.com 38TH ANNUAL MAPLE SYRUP FESTIVAL
March 20 at Indian Creek Nature Center in Cedar Rapids. The Maple Syrup Festival, held at the end of the syruping season, features syrup-making demonstrations, a look inside the Maple Sugar House, a pancake breakfast with real maple syrup, and live music. 319-3620664. —indiancreeknaturecenter.org
