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
24 NEBRASKAland • JUNE 2014 JUNE 2014 • NEBRASKAland 25 "It was the original rodeo," he said, "and I think it's still one of the finest outdoor rodeos in the country." Fudge also places great emphasis on the event's entertainers. "What makes this place so unique is how close people can be to the performers. It really is the best of what we have to offer in outdoor entertainment." Keeping core events for the celebration – including concerts, rodeos and parades – will always be relevant, but NEBRASKAland DAYS will evolve just like other events throughout the state. Because Fudge is passionate about what the event means to North Platte, "NEBRASKAland DAYS is a point of pride for a good deal of our community in North Platte. It was awarded to North Platte as a result of a competitive bidding process. Several communities wanted it – so for it to have landed here, and for our community to have embraced it and made it what it is today, is something we should all be proud of." Fudge is especially thankful for the event's board of directors. "If you take a look at a list of those who have served throughout the years, it's a who's who of North Platte. They've all played a role in shaping this celebration into what it is today, and a lot of them took chances along the way to make sure NEBRASKAland DAYS survived." Today NEBRASKAland DAYS is doing more than surviving. With more than 85,000 people attending the event in 2013, including visitors from all over the U.S. and even as far as Europe, organizers are looking forward to another year of boot-stomping, Stetson- wearing, Wild West show heritage that has taken place for half a century – as are the visitors coming to see where the West truly is. ■ Carnivals have been a crowd pleaser for all ages as part of NEBRASKAland DAYS since its early beginnings. PHOTO BY JULIE GEISER would turn out, but it all came out all right. No one got hurt, we had enough money to pay our debts, we kept track of the money for the community and NEBRASKAland DAYS was a big hit, instead of a miss. It made it easy for us to ask the board and committee members to stay on." The Future for NEBRASKAland DAYS Competing with other events throughout the state remains a challenge for NEBRASKAland DAYS in 2014, but showcasing Nebraska's best and keeping to its origins makes the event a draw even today for its celebration of Wild West heritage. David Fudge, executive director of NEBRASKAland DAYS, commented on the future of the event, saying the event puts such a high value on the production of the Buffalo Bill Rodeo. The Buffalo Bill Rodeo is the anchor event for NEBRASKAland DAYS and is one of the main reasons the celebration was awarded to North Platte. Event Schedule More than 400 youngsters dressed up for the Best Western Dressed Kids parade in North Platte in 1968. There were 36 prizes totaling over $300 to winners in 11 age and gender divisions in three separate categories – western, pioneer and Indian. PHOTO BY JULIE GEISER F ollow the fun during the 50th NEBRASKAland DAYS Celebration. The schedule is packed with events for all ages. Celebrate western style with the Wild West Show and the Buffalo Bill Rodeo. Enjoy prime-time entertainment at the US Cellular Summer Jam Concert Series followed up by the Heart of America Shows Carnival along with many other activities every day that are sure to please. ● Concerts by Lady Antebellum and Billy Currington ● Four nights of Buffalo Bill PRCA Rodeo ● Miss Rodeo Nebraska Pageant ● Wild West Microbrew Festival ● Heritage Festival ● Classic Car Show ● Woodcarver Show ● Frontier Revue ● Three Parades ● Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show ● Kids fun including the Fun Festival and Mutton' Bustin' The 2014 celebration runs June 18-28 and includes: Visit NEBRASKAland DAYS website to get more information and a full schedule of events. V t s PHOTO COURTESY OF NEBRASKALAND DAYS INC.