August-September 2025 • Nebraskaland 33
people showed up.
"I think that tested our wherewithal
a little bit with the group that helped
organize it," Fields said, but "we
thought, 'If that many people show up
under those cruddy conditions, what
could we do if we had a nice weekend?'"
It motivated them to keep moving
forward.
Evolution
One of the venues established early
on was the riverfront. Being the expo's
namesake, the team was adamant
visitors would be able to "touch, see and
smell the Missouri River." Attractions
in this area have included a heritage
encampment with living history
volunteers, boat tours (when conditions
allow), logging demonstrations, and
cooking and eating contests.
The visitor center, built in 2003,
provides visitors a break from the
elements. It houses additional vendors
Ponca resident Don Andersen was a charter member of the Missouri
River Outdoor Expo Board. He helped raise considerable funds to
get the first expo rolling, and his boots were on the ground when
volunteers were called to help complete the Eric Wiebe Shooting
Complex in 2013, the site of the expo's shooter's village.
Although the former mayor of Ponca and member of the Better
Ponca Foundation has retired from many of his official roles, the
84-year-old has yet to miss an expo as a volunteer. Andersen leads the
shotgun shooting range and recruits his own volunteers — about 30
— and he maintains the 20-some shotguns and dozen muzzleloaders
that need regular cleaning during the course of the weekend. Last
year, they went through 8,700 rounds of shotgun shells during the
expo.
Andersen returns every year simply because of his passion for
introducing people to shooting. As an avid hunter, it's important to
him to introduce guns to people in a safe, informative way.
"My [volunteers], they take it real seriously to get that beginner to do
it the right way. And I think when you see them hit the target, it's a lot
of self-satisfaction," Andersen said. "I see guys smiling. I see those kids
when they walk away — how they've got a smile on their face." It also
tickles him that it's often the women who are better shots than their
boyfriends or husbands.
Andersen's wife, Jane, also volunteers, helping to register school
children during the Friday school day. On Saturday and Sunday, you'll
likely find her answering questions at the information booth.b
Volunteer Don Andersen
Volunteer Don Andersen cleans shotguns at the shooter's village. JOSHUA CARLSON
