NEBRASKAland Magazine is dedicated to outstanding photography and informative writing with an engaging mix of articles and photos highlighting Nebraska’s outdoor activities, parklands, wildlife, history and people.
Issue link: http://mag.outdoornebraska.gov/i/315021
20 NEBRASKAland • JUNE 2014 JUNE 2014 • NEBRASKAland 21 C elebrating western style during NEBRASKAland DAYS has been going on for 50 years in the Cornhusker state – a tradition started by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Put in motion by then Nebraska Game, Forestation and Parks Commission Director Mel Steen, "NEBRASKAland on Parade" was organized by Dick Schaffer, editor of NEBRASKAland Magazine predecessor Outdoor Nebraska, to promote Nebraska's tourism on a national scale. Schaffer and his staff sent letters to communities statewide, asking for assistance with floats, riding groups or any other type of portable hometown attractions available for display in Lincoln. Not long after its conception, the first parade, featuring several Nebraska communities, was held on O Street on July 23, 1964. Attractions also included pageants, rodeos, an American Indian powwow, the naming of the Commission's oxen contest, square dancing, shoot-out reenactments and other Wild West-related activities for the five-block celebration. An estimated 45,000 people were in attendance for the first year's show – with about 40 Nebraska towns and cities bringing more than 75 parade entries. With the success of the first year, the Commission set the dates for the 1965 celebration, newly named NEBRASKAland DAYS, from June 3-6. Scheduled events included downtown parades, a Mari Sandoz essay contest, Jaycee rodeo, theater performances and vacation booths. It was also the first year for the Miss NEBRASKAland pageant and the Buffalo Bill Cody Award. The prestigious Buffalo Bill Cody Award is given to celebrities for their contributions to western culture. Cowboy actor Dale Robertson was presented the first award with his performances in television series' Tales of Wells Fargo, The Iron Horse and Death Valley Days, as Connie Svolopoulos of Omaha was crowned Miss NEBRASKAland. By 1966, NEBRASKAland DAYS was on its way to becoming a major tourist event and received priceless coverage throughout the United States NEBRASKAland DAYS A Tradition for 50 Years By Julie Geiser The Miss NEBRASKAland float was one of more than one hundred entries that marched, drove or rolled down the streets of North Platte in the "Where the West Is" parade. Celebrating western style has been occurring for 50 years in Nebraska – a tradition originally started by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. North Platte Charlton Heston proudly displays his Buffalo Bill Cody Award during the 1966 "NEBRASKAland on Parade." North Platte is the current home of NEBRASKAland DAYS, a celebration of the West that runs June 18-28 this year. PHOTO COURTESY OF NEBRASKALAND DAYS INC. PHOTO COURTESY OF NEBRASKALAND DAYS INC.