Events

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Festival of Quilts
April 24-26. Learn about quilts with lectures, demonstrations, appraisals, feature quilters and a large trunk show at the Dawes County Fairgrounds. (308) 430-5615

Fur Trade Days
July 9-12. Join the celebration commemorating America’s fur trade heritage and Museum of the Fur Trade. Events include a buckskinner camp, historic presentations, Traders Market and parade. (308) 432-4401.

Dawes County Fair
July 25-August 1. Enjoy livestock shows, 4-H projects, tractor pull, rodeos, Tough Truck and Rubber Check contests and more. (308) 432-3373

Harvest Moon Fall Festival
Oct. 3. A family-centered day of fun at the Dawes County Fairgrounds. Kids can enjoy a haunted maze, archery, bounce houses, pumpkin painting and more. With more than 100 vendors on site, the Harvest Moon Fall Festival is a great spot to find unique gift items, sample great food and spend the day with family and friends.

Old West Trail Rodeo
July 3-4. The Pine Ridge’s only PRCA rodeo entertains all comers with thrilling visions of bucking broncos, bullish bulls, calf roping, food and product vendors and welcoming residents. July 4 also features a parade, fireworks, and other fun events like the 5K and Wild West Triathlon. www.owtrodeo.com

Western & Wildlife Art Show
July 2-4. The Western & Wildlife Art Show features juried art of over twenty artists from across the country showcasing the rural lifestyle at its finest. The Children’s Wall of Art Contest lets youngsters take part. westernwildlifeartshow.org

Crawford Rock Swap
Sept. 4-7. Rockhounds of all ages enjoy trading their finds with the many vendors who participate in the swap, and daily field trips allow new and experienced rockhounds to add to their collections. The event, Nebraska’s largest outdoor rock show, also includes an auction, hot dog feed and the annual Fairburn Agate Collectors Gathering.

Sioux County fair
August Take in 4-H exhibits, livestock shows, an art show or the 5K race. Entertainment includes rodeos, a demolition derby and a BBQ and live band. (308) 668-2428.

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Father’s Day Rock-n-Roll Classic Car Show
June 19-20. More than 300 classics from seven states roll into Five Rocks Amphitheater for this day-long show and shine. (308) 436-6886.

Oregon Trail Days
July 9-12. Nebraska’s oldest continuous celebration. Events include parades, a food fair, bands, chili cook-off, art show, and a Hill Climb bicycle competition to the top of Scotts Bluff National Monument. (308) 436-6886. oregontraildays.com

Old West Balloon Fest
August 13-16. Scotts Bluff County skies fills with over 30 hot air balloons, bright hues during daybreak launches, balloon glows, food vendors, beer garden, and live entertainment. theoldwestballoonfest.com

Harvest Festival
September 19-20. Enjoy a rare glimpse of antique farm machinery in action demonstrating the hard work involved in the annual harvest at Legacy of the Plains Museum. This family-friendly event includes daily parades of horse-drawn equipment and tractors; food vendors; demonstrations of blacksmithing; and kids’ activities, including a hay bale fort, pedal tractor course, a barrel train ride, and games. Don’t miss the resident chickens, goats, and the museum’s herd of longhorns. www.legacyoftheplains.org

Horizon Music Festival
September 5-6. The ultimate summer experience for Christian music lovers at Five Rocks Amphitheater, this festival brings together the best Christian artists from around the world in one electrifying celebration of faith and music. The festival provides non-stop entertainment and fun for everyone. horizonmusicfest.org

The Heirloom Market
September 18 -19 . Specializing in vintage, handmade, boutique, and home décor, enjoy two days of shopping with vendors from across the Midwest in an open-air event at Five Rocks Amphitheater. Enjoy live music and fantastic food trucks throughout the day! theheirloommarket.co

Monument Marathon
September 26. Runners experience the gorgeous, rocky landscape that is home to historic stretches of the Oregon Trail and the Mormon Trail. The annual race features a Full, Half, Half-Marathon Relay and 5K, all of which take runners through the 3,000-acre Scotts Bluff National Monument. monumentmarathon.com

Gering Merchants’ Santa Village
November 28-December 31. Gering Merchant’s Santa Village at the Gering Civic Plaza has been a great interactive family experience for 20 years. Write letters to Santa, have cookies and hot cocoa and more!

18th Street Farmers Market
Saturday mornings June through September. Backyard produce, farmers’ veggies, locally raised meat, craft and home décor items and more are for sale from 8 to 11 a.m. on Saturday mornings downtown between Broadway and First Avenue. www.Facebook.com/ScottsbluffFarmersMarket.

Papa Moon Cider House FireFly Festival
July. Papa Moon Vineyards and Cider House annual firefly viewing; fireflies are only visible at nightfall and tours begin around 8:45 pm.  Fireflies are only out when weather is nice; additional events include food vendors, wine and cider tastings.

Old West Balloon Fest
August 13-16. Scotts Bluff County skies fill with over 80 hot air balloons, bright hues during daybreak launches, balloon glows. It includes food vendors, beer garden and live entertainment. www.theoldwestballoonfest.com

Bands on Broadway
Thursdays June/July. 8-week summer concert series from 6-9 PM in the 18th Street Plaza. Bring a lounge chair. Beer and food trucks are there weekly.

Flyover to Flyover
June 26-27. “It’s a Gravel Party!” Take the dirt rides and ride from the Flyover Brewing Company in Scottsbluff to their second location in Potter. All Cyclists are invited! Upon arrival at the finish line, enjoy entertainment, drinks, and food during the Potter Car Bowl celebration.

Nebraska West Fest
March 21. @ Papa Moon Headquarters. Local brewers and distillers Papa Moon, The Flyover Brewing Co., Scott Free, Second Chapter, Brewery 719, Boss City, and Great Plains Distillery team up to bring a kid-friendly family event in the greenhouse. Enjoy music, food trucks, craft vendors, wine, beers, and spirts from across the state.

Garden Co. Art & Mural Tour
View more than 40 murals in three towns for a self-guided art scavenger hunt. Lewellen has two art galleries—Blue Water Gallery and The Most Unlikely Place.
Blue Water features art and photography from local artists and photographers in a restored art deco gas station that also houses a body shop. The Most Unlikely Place is a unique combination of cafe, art gallery, gift shop, and events venue. Reach both at (308) 778-9557.

Camp Clarke Spring Rendezvous
Memorial Day Weekend
Enjoy the sport of traditional muzzle loader shooting, mountain man runs, breakfast cook-offs and hawk and knife throwing. Step back into the time of the early 1800s as people wear authentic clothing, camp in tipis and cook over fire. See what the mountain man saw as he trapped and traded throughout the Western United States. Vendors are welcome. Activities start time from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday and 9 a.m. to noon on Monday.

Camp Clarke Days
May 29-31. Camp Clarke Days is an annual tradition in Bridgeport and includes a full weekend of activities for families to enjoy.

Broadwater Days
June. Broadwater Nebraska’s Annual Community Celebration. Fun for the whole community and surrounding area. Call (308) 279-1024 or check the Broadwater Buzz Facebook page for activities and dates.

Camp Clarke Stampede Rodeo
July 3-4. One of the oldest rodeos in Nebraska. All events and fireworks nightly at the Morrill County Fairground, 1 mile south of Bridgeport on Hwy 88.

Morrill County Fair
July. There is something for everyone as events are open to all ages. Contact Prairie Winds Community Center (308) 262-1825 for dates and more information.

Greek Festival
August (2nd or 3rd Saturday) Authentic Greek food a la carte, dancing and music and other activities. Located at the Prairie Wings Community Center in Bridgeport. Call (308) 262-0281 for more information.

Chimney Rock Pioneer Days
September. Pioneer Days features BBQ kick-off night with live music, free pancake feed, 5K run, parade, other events and food vendors. Check Chimney Rock Pioneer Days on Facebook for more information.

Camp Clarke Fall Rendezvous:
Labor Day Weekend
Activities are from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, and 9 a.m. to noon on Monday.

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Sandhill Cranes
March. Every year beginning in late February, hundreds of thousands of Sandhill Cranes migrate into the Platte River Valley in Lincoln County. They will spend about six weeks here, roosting in the river bottoms at night and spending their days in the cornfields, alfalfa, and meadows between North Platte and Sutherland. Dusty Trails offers multiple viewing experiences for this magnificent migration. visitnorthplatte.com/springbirding

Prairie Chicken Dance
March-April. In the Spring, the hearts of the Nebraska Greater Prairie Chickens turn towards love. To successfully attract a female mate, the male prairie chickens must impress them with their dancing prowess. Males will gather in large numbers on dancing grounds known as leks. They will cackle, jump, and stomp their feet, sometimes scuffling with a rival. Dusty Trails hosts an excursion to a large, busy lek south of Sutherland. visitnorthplatte.com/springbirding

Nebraskaland Days
June. NEBRASKAland Days is the official celebration of the State of Nebraska, held annually the third week of June. The excitement kicks off with four nights of the legendary PRCA Buffalo Bill Rodeo and closes with the Summer Jam Concert Series. This year the performers will be Treaty Oak Revival and Zach Top. Other activities include a craft beer festival, parade, art show, quilt show, pork breakfast, and more. NEBRASKAlandDAYS.com

FORT CODY SUMMER MUSIC SERIES
Summer. Managed by NRoute Entertainment, the Fort Cody Summer Music Series has been entertaining music lovers since 2011, every Thursday night in the summer running from 6 pm to 9 pm. Bring your favorite lawn chair and join us! Single admission or season tickets available.

North Platte Pow Wow
July. The North Platte Pow Wow showcases Native American dancing, singing, and drumming. There are contests for traditional, fancy, jingle dress, and grass dances. There are also special dances for golden age, tiny tot, and veteran participants. A special dance for local interest is the Men’s Chicken Dance, which mimics the dancing rituals of the Greater Prairie Chicken. visitnorthplatte.com/north-platte-pow-wow

Canteen CruiseFest
July. Calling all car buffs, enthusiasts and admirers. Rev up your engine and show off what you have at the Canteen CruiseFest or just come to admire all the cars. There will be music, food, kids’ activities and more. visitnorthplatte.com/canteen-cruisefest

North Platte Rail Days
August. Where would you expect to find the greatest rail celebration in the world? Why, at the home of the world’s largest rail yard! The Golden Spike Tower and Visitor Center invites you to North Platte to experience our incredible railroad heritage held annually in early August. Rail Days is the one and only time throughout the year when visitors can experience Bailey Yard up close and personal with a motorcoach tour through the yard. goldenspiketower.com

Western Nebraska Craft Beer Festival and Boots N’ Beef Music Festival
August. Hosted by Pals Brewing Company this two day festival features a Craft Beer Festival for your chance to taste wonderful craft beer from across the state. The Boots N’ Beef Music Festival is a day packed with live music, great food and local vendors. You won’t want to miss either of these events! palsbrewingcompany.com/beerfest

Fall Fun
October. If you are looking for fall fun in North Platte there are two great pumpkin patches that are sure to get you in the autumn mood. Homestead Pumpkin Patch features a corn maze, zip lines, a bounce pillow, and much more. Dusty’s Pumpkin Fest at the Cody’s is brought to you by Dusty Trails and has a corn crib, horse drawn hayrack rides, a petting zoo, and more. There really is no better way to spend a fall day! visitnorthplatte.com

Christmas in North Platte
Every December North Platte transforms into a winter wonderland of Christmas lights. Visit Buffalo Bill State Historical Park to see the house and barn all decked out with holiday cheer during Christmas at the Cody’s. Every building at the Lincoln County Historical Museum also gets lit up with tons of lights and decorations for their Christmas Village. Cody Park joins in the holiday spirit with Santa’s Workshop which has over a dozen tiny, animated houses. visitnorthplatte.com/holiday-fun

Gold Rush Days
Second weekend in June. Sidney relives its historic role as a jumping off point for prospectors traveling the Sidney-Deadwood Trail. The Old West comes alive with this outdoor festival including cannon firing, live music, and demonstrations of blacksmithing, spinning, woodworking, weaving, and gold panning. www.SidneyGoldRushDays.org

Cheyenne County Fair & Rodeo
Late July. This county fair reaches to the roots of such events with 4-H exhibits, livestock shows, barrel racing, PRCA Rodeo, carnival, fair food, tractor pull, live concert, and a Rubber Check Race. www.CheyenneCountyFair.com

SIDNEY OKTOBERFEST
First full weekend in October. Continuous free entertainment and a great variety of food and beer from noon to midnight on Friday and Saturday in the big tent plus two buildings of crafts, and Wiener Dog Races at the Cheyenne County Fairgrounds. Plus, a parade downtown on Saturday morning. www.SidneyOktoberfest.org

ROD & ROLL CAR SHOW
First Saturday in October. Show and shine care show in Sidney’s Legion Park held annually by Cruise ‘N Class Car Club. www.SidneyCruiseNClass.org

LAMPLIGHT TOURS
Select Weekends in December. Fort Sidney Museum and Post Commander’s Home come alive every year for this festive event. Enjoy hot cider and cookies while touring historic rooms extravagantly decorated for the holidays. www.FortSidney.org

ALL IS BRIGHT CHRISTMAS TOUR
Weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Immerse yourself in the holiday spirit starting the Saturday following Thanksgiving and happening every weekend leading up to Christmas. All nights are from 4pm to 8pm.This family-friendly event is completely free and features enchanting light displays, reindeer stables, Santa’s workshop, activities for children, and a nativity scene. visitsidneyne.com/events-calendar/

POTTER CAR BOWL
Last Saturday in June. Enjoy a car show, BBQ competition, beer garden, duckpin bowling, craft show, live bands, food vendors, and other fun activities to benefit local nonprofit groups. www.LincolnHighwayCruisers.com

POTTER DAYS
Labor Day Weekend. This annual event includes a 5k color run, cornhole tournament, prize drawings, food vendors, golf tournament, parade, live music, free family entertainment, Tin Roof Sundae eating contest, duckpin bowling, and more.

PNCC
Labor Day Weekend. Potter, NE was host to off-road and enduro races in the mid 70’s, now the next generation in our small community is bringing back this exciting style of racing – PNCC is a CORCS sanctioned event spanning over 200 acres with classes for pro, amateur, and youth riders. After the race, stay for the PNCC Party in the Pasture featuring live music and a beer garden. www.PNCCracing.com

Kimball Ranch Rodeo– Kimball
June. Competitors from surrounding states come to Kimball to ride broncs, milk wild cows, load trailers and brand cattle.  Vendors will keep everyone fed and a beer garden will be available.  Real cowboys show the skills they use every day. facebook.com/kimball.rodeo  (308) 241-1035

Kimball-Banner County Fair – Kimball
First full week of August. The fair in Kimball is fun for the whole family, featuring 4-H and FFA livestock shows, animal showmanship, livestock auctions, rodeo, gymkhana, fashion reviews, home environment projects, free barbecue, music, dance, games for the kids, and more!  (308) 235-3122

Bushnell Day– Bushnell
Third Saturday of August. A fun filled day for the whole family in Bushnell, featuring a parade, vendors, shows, kids activities, antique truck and tractor show, cornhole tournament, hog roast, live music and more!  (308) 360-1358

ANTELOPE STAMPEDE
GRAVEL BICYCLE RACE – Kimball
End of September during Farmer’s Day. A September gravel bicycle race in the Western Panhandle of Nebraska, with a 100 mile rolling course traveling through Colorado, Nebraska, and Wyoming, and 25 and 50 mile courses in Nebraska.  A barbecue and cornhole/horseshoe tournament follow the race. (303) 913-3954

Farmers Day– Kimball
Last full weekend of September. Kimball honors those who grow our food in their annual event.   Events include demolition derby, parade, gun raffle, RC air show, beer garden, dance, music, bake sale, book sale, craft show, car show, bike race, soup supper, free hamburger feed and much more! facebook.com/KimballFarmersDay

Parade of Lights – Kimball
Saturday after Thanksgiving. To kick off the Christmas Season,  the city comes alive with the Parade of Lights in downtown Kimball.  After the parade Santa and hot cocoa are available and it is a great time to get pictures of the kids with Santa and Mrs. Claus. There are other events and shopping available at local businesses throughout the day and evening.  facebook.com/kimballparadeoflights

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Sharp-tailed Grouse and Prairie Chicken Viewing
March and April. Observe the breeding displays of native birds. Other animals are typically spotted, too. (308) 546-2206.

Polar Bear Tank Race
March 6-7. Competitors, some much more serious than others, race on the scenic Middle Loup River seeking the fastest times, but this contest is mostly about bragging rights. (308) 546-2206.

Thunder on the Prairie
June. Classic cars cruise to ‘50s and ‘60s music. Poker run, car show, BBQ and dance at the Park. (308) 762-2761.

Bands on the Bricks
June/July. Friday night’s live music, street dancers, and food vendors. (308) 762-5400.

Heritage Days
July. Visit Alliance for sidewalk sales, a carnival and parade downtown. (308) 762-1520.

Autumn in Alliance
September. A fall celebration with bounce houses, live music, vendors and dancing. 308-792-5400.

Dobby’s Fall Festival
September. Fall Festival at Dobby’s Frontier Town with live entertainment, vendors and so much more (308) 762-4321.

Wildlife viewing – Halsey
The Nebraska National Forest is a year-round destination for birders. Grouse viewing blinds available in March and April. (308) 533-2257.

Thomas County Fair – Thedford
July. Thedford’s biggest bash includes a parade, live entertainment, food, vendors, children’s games and a fishing tournament. (308) 645-2646.