Join Fort Kearny State Historical Park for an afternoon of free cowboy fun from 2 to 4 p.m. June 28 at 1020 V Road, Kearney.
The event will feature Miss V, the traveling cowbelle; Dan Melton, cowboy; Bob Lamberson, storyteller; and Lyle Henderson former cowboy and owner of the Platte Valley Saddle Shop. Free “old time” root beer and sarsaparilla will be served.
Reenactors also will be at the park to discuss life as a soldier during the fort’s early days, and Fort Hartsuff State Historical Park staff will talk about its role in protecting early pioneers. Period firearms from Fort Hartsuff also will be on display.
Miss V will give a musical performance from 3 to 3:20 p.m. She will join Melton, Lamberson, and Henderson, along his wife Lynda, on the grounds through the afternoon, each sharing their unique cowboy stories.
Lyle will talk about his early days of being a cowboy in Idaho and Grand Island area and about his and his father’s connection to the Pony Express Association. He and his wife also will display their custom saddles.
Miss V will showcase her homemade instruments and share stories from her 14 years living a pioneer lifestyle on a historic claim in northwest Wyoming. Melton will share stories of growing up on a ranch in southwest Nebraska homesteaded by his grandfather, helping with the cattle and quarter horses. And Lamberson, of the Palmer area, will share stories of the cowboy livelihood.
In addition to the festivities, visitors to the park will be able to explore exhibits and the reconstructed buildings, including the stockade, parade grounds, powder magazine, and blacksmith/carpenter shop.
The event is free, but a vehicle park entry permit is required. Get one in advance at OutdoorNebraska.org.
Learn more about the park at OutdoorNebraska.org/FortKearny.
Updated June 13, 2022, to correct spellings of names and to provide additional information.
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