LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska is well into its 2021 state parks centennial year, but the celebrations continue across the state in September.
Take advantage of the cooling temperatures and get outdoors for a fall road trip. See what opportunities for adventure you can find. Learn more at YourNebraskaParks100.org.
A park entry permit is required of each vehicle entering a state park area.
Indian Cave SP to host centennial celebration event Sept. 4
LINCOLN, Neb. – Celebrate Nebraska’s state parks centennial with a full day of family-friendly fun at Indian Cave State Park on Sept. 4.
Activities will include living history and black powder artillery demonstrations, hayrack rides, games and fireworks. Snack on ice cream in the afternoon, then stay for a bison burger meal in the evening.
For more details, visit the event listing in the calendar at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov.
Watch history come to life Sept. 4-5 at Fort Atkinson SHP
LINCOLN, Neb. – Experience living history weekend Sept. 4-5 at Fort Atkinson State Historical Park.
Visitors will be able to glimpse the activities that would have taken place at this 1820s-era outpost. Trades such as blacksmithing, carpentry, coopering, tinsmithing and more will be demonstrated both days. Period crafts of spinning, weaving and quilting also will be highlighted. Activities run from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
A fee is required for entry to the Harold W. Andersen Visitor Center of $2 per adult and $1 per child.
For more information, contact the park at ngpc.fort.atkinson@nebraska.gov or 402-468-5611.
Lewis and Clark SRA’s Lighted Boat Parade set for Sept. 5
LINCOLN, Neb. – Join the parade or just come to watch at the annual Lighted Boat Parade at Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area on Sept. 5.
Help organizers reach the goal of 100 boats in the parade, which runs from 8-10 p.m., to celebrate 100 years of Nebraska state parks. Those without a boat to enter can bring lawn chairs and blankets to watch from the shoreline.
To register a boat for the parade, call the park office at 402-388-4169. For more information, including prizes, visit the event’s calendar entry at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov.
Enjoy Rendezvous at Ash Hollow SHP on Sept. 10-12
LINCOLN, Neb. – Celebrate Nebraska’s state parks centennial Sept. 10-12 at the Ash Hollow State Historical Park Rendezvous.
Watch historical reenactors and enjoy old-fashioned competitions and food. Activities include black powder, bow and arrow, atlatl, canoeing, tomahawk, trap setting and cooking demonstrations, a mountain man run, and pre-1840 vendors and traders.
Learn more at YourNebraskaParks100.org.
Rock Creek Station to host Ranch Life Saturday on Sept. 18
LINCOLN, Neb. — Travel back in time to the mid-1800s during living history Saturdays at Rock Creek Station State Historical Park in southeast Nebraska.
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 18, reenactors will bring history to life with period dress, interpretations and demonstrations.
The historical park — one of the Pony Express stations — is on 350 acres of prairie, its creek bottom timber-studded. Deep ruts carved into the earth by wagons traveling the Oregon and California trails remain plainly visible. The park also contains the reconstructed Pony Express barn, bunk house and several cabins, viewable from the 6 miles of hiking and nature trails.
Learn more about the park at outdoornebraska.gov/rockcreekstation. Learn more about the event in the listing at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov.
National Historic Landmark event is Sept. 18 at Buffalo Bill Ranch SHP
LINCOLN, Neb. – In January, Scout’s Rest Ranch, home of William “Buffalo Bill” Cody, earned National Historic Landmark status. Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park in North Platte is celebrating with a family-friendly event Sept. 18.
Activities for the entire family will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The mansion will be open all day, with guided tours on the hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., except 2 p.m.
Other activities include a historical scavenger hunt, vintage baseball game, a variety of old-fashioned games, hayrack rides, buffalo chip throwing contest, and plaque unveiling.
Learn more about the event in the listing at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov.
Dutch Oven Gathering scheduled Sept. 18-20 at Rock Creek Station SHP
LINCOLN, Neb. – Rock Creek Station State Historical Park near Fairbury will host a Dutch Oven Gathering on Sept. 18-20.
Park visitors can enjoy demonstrations of Dutch oven cooking and cleaning and seasoning of cast iron cookware. The demonstrations are from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sept. 18 and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Sept. 19-20.
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