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
22 NEBRASKAland • JUNE 2014 JUNE 2014 • NEBRASKAland 23 thanks to a visit from First Lady Claudia Alta "Lady Bird" Taylor Johnson. Crowds were growing with estimates of 75,000 attending the parade, 10,000 at the Wild West Shows, 7,000 at the rodeo and 4,000 at the Miss NEBRASKAland Pageant. Even an estimated 3,000 were served pancakes at the Gateway pancake feed, not including the thousands watching the televised event. After three successful years, the Commission sought a permanent home for the NEBRASKAland celebration as a major tourist attraction, and communities across the state were invited to bid for the location. North Platte was selected from several cities, including Lincoln, to become the host. With the historic Buffalo Bill Rodeo already established and the Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park being developed into what Steen believed to be one of Nebraska's top tourist attractions at the time, the celebration had found its new home as the Nebraska Legislature awarded North Platte NEBRASKAland DAYS in 1968. North Platte's First Year As newly titled general chairman of NEBRASKAland DAYS, Jim Whitaker became the head volunteer to organize committees and get the 1968 celebration ready in less than five months for North Platte's first festival. "We didn't know what changes to make and how exactly to do things," Whitaker said of the first celebration. "We only had an established rodeo committee, and I was on that too." Whitaker spent all his spare time on NEBRASKAland DAYS. One night, tired of losing sleep, he sat down at his game table and, writing all night, created the organizational structure for the event that would last for many years. From location, to setup, to take down, every event was meticulously planned. By the end, Whitaker had created 33 different committees to organize the event, also commending Ken Hornbacher, the first president of NEBRASKAland DAYS in North Platte, and members of the Commission. "Rex Amack and Dick Schaffer were a God-send in getting us going," said Whitaker. "We had no background on how to do this." Looking back, Whitaker said the first year was his most memorable out of the nine years he spent on the board. "We all had fears about how it Miss NEBRASKAland, Connie Svolopoulos, in 1965 with Barney Oldfield. A 1967 parade float in Lincoln recognizes that North Platte will be the permanent home of NEBRASKAland DAYS in 1968. The Beginnings of Cody's Wild West Show I n 1882 the people of North Platte approached Col. William F. Cody about producing a Fourth of July celebration for the community; from this event the Buffalo Bill Rodeo was born. The first rodeo was called "The Old Glory Blow Out" and included buffalo riding, roping and bronco riding. This rodeo is also what evolved into Cody's Wild West Show that traveled the world bringing the untamed West to thousands. The Buffalo Bill Rodeo was one of the world's first spectacular rodeos and was sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association in 1947. It remains today one of the most popular stops on the rodeo tour and the anchor event of the NEBRASKAland DAYS celebration. Miss Rodeo Nebraska is crowned on the opening night of the rodeo and queens from across the nation, including Miss Rodeo America, attend the event. World champion cowboys, cowgirls, rodeo announcers, award winning acts and rodeo clowns attend the Buffalo Bill Rodeo along with championship livestock. PHOTO COURTESY OF NEBRASKALAND DAYS INC. PHOTO COURTESY OF NEBRASKALAND DAYS INC.