VIBE 2024

2024 Grand Island, Nebraska, visitor guide

Grand Island Nebraska Welcome to Grand Island

Cairo Sandhills Journey Scenic Byw

Northwest H.S.

OAK ST

�TH ST

U.P.R.R.

B.N.S.F.

SYCAMORE ST

Railroad Hotspot

The streets in Railside were originally platted to parallel the railroad tracks. As the city grew, planners decided new roads would point true north. City lot parking is free.

PINE ST

SOUTH FRONT ST

3RD ST

Hike-Bike Trail

2 ND ST

Amur Plaza

?

Visitor Center

1 ST ST

The Grand Theatre

City Hall

EDDY ST

Courthouse

SYCAMORE ST

LOCUST ST

WHEELER ST

Relax Inn

PINE ST

WALNUT ST

Pioneer Park

Grand Island Library

ALDA RD

Heartland Public Shooting Park

Indianhead Golf

Husker Harvest Days site

Heartland

HUSKER HWY

GRAND ISLAND I-80 EXIT 312

Townsley-Murdock Immigrant Trail Site (Alda & Guenther Roads) ALDA RD

Mormon Island

Motel 6

314

USA Inns

312

Suburban Inn Quality Inn Days Inn

LOCUST ST

Nature & Visitor Center

R

E

V

I

R

305

E

P L A T T

Crane Trust

Exit 300

CENTRAL NEBRASKA REGIONAL AIRPORT

1

Eagle Scout Park

yway

STUHR RD SKY PARK RD

Veterans Athletic Complex

Jackrabbit Run Golf

Days Inn

Hike-Bike Trail

CAPITAL AVE

CAPITAL AVE

Grand Island H.S.

STATE ST

BROADWELL AVE

CUSTER AVE

Comfort Inn

Lincoln Pool

NORTH RD

WEBB RD

SYCAMORE ST

Sleep Inn

EDDY ST

13TH ST

Lincoln Highway Historic Byway

Central Catholic H.S.

Fairfield Holiday Inn Candlewood

H

CHI St. Francis

R

E

FAIDLEY AVE

Railside

V

R I

2ND ST 1ST ST

D

O

Hampton

Sorenson Fields

Pier Park

O

W

Ryder Park

Resident Suites

OLD POTASH HWY

BLAINE ST

Conoco Motel

Island Oasis Water Park

BLAINE ST

Raising Nebraska

Suck’s Lake

Travelodge

Grand Island Casino Resort Heartland Events Center

WEBB RD

Fonner Park

Home of the Nebraska State Fair

STOLLEY PARK RD

Island Inn Ramada Super 8 Best Western

Stolley Park

Fonner View Golf

Hike-Bike Trail

SHADY BEND RD

LOCUST ST

BLAINE ST

GI Extended Stay Mainstay Rodeway

Riverside Golf

L.E. Ray Park

College Park

Central Community College

d Lutheran H.S.

Boarders

HUSKER HWY

Stuhr Museum

H

Comfort Suites

Grand Island Regional

Hike-Bike Trail

Hall County Park

SCHIMMER DR

Hastings and I-80 Exit 312

Doniphan and I-80 Exit 314

3 miles

10 LOCATIONS IN GRAND ISLAND

FEATURING

GOT

NIENCE YOU!

WE’VE

CONVE C COVER

Scoops

ED FOR

AT SELECT LOCATIONS

ORDER ONLINE

DOWNLOAD THE PUMP & PANTRY APP TO ORDER ONLINE.

2511 N Diers Ave 3436 S Locust St

G rand Island, a city of 53,000 in central Nebraska, is home to the Spring Migration of the Sandhill Cranes and the Nebraska State Fair. Deeply rooted in agriculture, our community annually hosts national livestock events and the Husker Harvest Days farm show — the largest fully-irrigated farm show in the world.

Weʼre proud of our 200-acre living history museum, Stuhr Museum, and Heartland Public Shooting Park, one of the finest facilities of its kind anywhere. Grand Island also offers unique shopping, dining, breweries, and the historic Railside district. VisitGrandIsland.com

Climate Summer Avg. high 87°, low 64° Autumn Avg. high 64°, low 39° Winter Avg. high 32°, low 12° Spring Avg. high 62°, low 38° Annual Precipitation Avg. 24.9 inches

City population 53,000 County population 63,000 1,841 Feet above sea level

Welcome to Grand Island

Car Rentals Budget Rent-A-Car 3215 N. Highway 281 308-381-7100, BudgetNebraska.com Enterprise Rent-A-Car 920 N. Diers Ave. 308-381-6300, Enterprise.com Hertz Central Nebraska Regional Airport 308-384-4741, Hertz.com A & A Rent A Car 703 W. 2nd St. 308-384-3073, AandARentACar.com Thrifty Car Rental Central Nebraska Regional Airport 308-382-4392, Thrifty.com Bus & Shuttle Action Cab & Courier 308-381-1010 Adventure Bus & Charter 308-455-4555 AdventureBusAndCharter.com Charter service. Crane Public Transit 308-646-0069, Crane-Transit.com Public shuttles, Monday-Friday 6am-5:30pm, Saturday 9am-3pm Holiday Express Bus 308-384-1800, HolidayExpressBus.com Motorcoach and luxury transportation. Trailways 3231 Ramada Rd. 308-382-1810, Trailways.com Cross-country bus service.

EV Charging Stations ChargePoint 3312 W. Stolley Park Rd. ChargePoint 1604 W. 3rd St. Tesla Supercharger 3335 W. Wood River Rd.

Airport (GRI) 3773 Sky Park Rd, 308-385-5170, FlyGrandIsland.com

Central Nebraska Regional Airport offers commercial service from a modern terminal. Afternooners, a small café offering sandwiches, serves passengers. A newly constructed terminal serves general aviation. American Eagle : Daily nonstop jet service to Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), 800-433-7300. Allegiant : Semiweekly nonstop flights to Las Vegas (LAS) and Phoenix-Mesa (AZA/IWA), 702-505-8888.

7

NE State Fair

Visitor center

Table of contents Attractions 17 Events 35

Arts & music 45 Food & drink 47 Lodging 57

Cover image: Mariachi band at the Fourth Street Festival.

Stop by our visitor center, in the historic Railside district, on the southwest corner of Third and Locust streets. Our office will provide you with information about things to see and do in the Grand Island area and around the state of Nebraska.

Published by:

201 West 3rd Street Grand Island, NE 68801 VisitGrandIsland.com | 308-382-4400 info@VisitGrandIsland.com Tourism Grand Island VisitGrandIsland.com

Grand Island Tourismʼs mission is to define our city as a destination and grow its tourism economy through meetings, events, sports, advertising, and promotional efforts. Our office manages a website, provides maps, and produces this visitor guide in partnership with the Grand Island Independent newspaper. We also offer meeting and convention services, helping planners with details related to their events.

201 West 3rd Street Grand Island, NE 68801

For current information about advertising and distribution, call The Grand Island Independent at 308-382-1000. TheIndependent.com

info@VisitGrandIsland.com | 308-382-4400 Visitor Center: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5pm

9

Rodeo Grand Island

2025 FEBRUARY 28 PRCA XTREME BULLS

MARCH 1 2 WORLD CLASS PRCA RODEOS

TAKE AIM AT THE REGION’S PREMIER SHOOTING PARK! Now under NEW management, the Heartland Public Shooting Park features the most complete array of recreational and competitive opportunities in the region, including: • Skeet • Sporting Clays • Trap • Five Stand • Rifle • Handgun • Archery • Limited RV Park • Region’s Only Olympic Bunker Trap • Retriever Training Area • Catch and Release Fishing Lake • Competitive and Recreational Events • Private Event Rental

308.385.5048 6788 W Husker Hwy, Alda, NE HeartlandPublicShootingPark.com

NOW MANAGED BY HORNADY ®

LIVE RACING February 17 to May 4, 2024 Fri. | Sat. | Sun. (Excludes Easter)

NATIONWIDE SIMULCASTING OPEN DAILY

GRAND ISLAND'S ENTERTAINMENT HUB

HORSERACING | TRADE SHOWS SPORTING EVENTS | CONCERTS CONVENTIONS | AG SHOWS REGIONAL & NATIONAL LIVESTOCK SHOWS WEDDING RECEPTIONS BANQUETS | MEETINGS FINISH LINE RESTAURANT & SPORTS LOUNGE LIVE DRAW KENO FAMILY AND COMMUNITY EVENTS

TABLE GAMES, SLOTS, SPORTS BETTING, AND MORE! NOW OPEN!

February 15-17 NE Cheer & Dance February 23 & 24 Rodeo GI February 24 & 25 Compass Wknd. of Wheels March 2 Red Cross Chili Cook-off March 2 & 3 Iron Horse Bike Show March 2 & 3 Triple Crown Craft Show March 16 & 17 USA Wrestling March 23 Going Hog Wild for the “Y ” March 27 Harlem Globetrotters March 30 Tri-City Con April 11-13 SkillsUSA Conference April 13 Taste of GI 2024 UPCOMING EVENTS April 20 State 4H BB/Air Rifle April 24- May 6 D.C Lynch Carnival April 26 & 27 Big Foot Conference May 4 Kentucky Derby Day May 4 Spring Dazzle Craft Show May 4 Fonner Park Car Show May 10 CCC Graduation | GI & Hastings May 11 & 12 AKC Dog Show May 12 GISH Graduation May 14 Primary Election May 17 – 19 Nebraska State Fire School May 30- Jun 1 NE Truck Driving Championships June 23-28 4-H Shooting Sports Nationals July 4 Fireworks Show July 5-12 American Hereford Jr. Nat.

July 13 – 17 July 17 – 21

State 4-H Horse Show

Hall County Fair

August 9 Imagination Bacon August 23 – Sept 2 Nebraska State Fair September 26 – 29 Aksarben Stock Show October 3 – 5 Platte Valley Boer Nanza October 11-18 Nat’l Aus. Shepherd Dog Show October 24 Project Connect October 26 & 27 GI Rifle Club November 5 General Election November 9 Holiday Toast Wine Festival

November 18 Project Hunger December 20 & 21 Flatwater Fracas December 20 & 21 AGR Prospect Show

700 E. Stolley Park Road Grand Island, NE 68801

FONNERPARK.COM HEARTLANDEVENTSCENTER.COM

308.382.4515

Located inside of Fonner Park, our temporary casino features live table games, hot slots and

great service

gan in 2023

Husker Har- vest Days

Join us for the World’s Largest Totally Irrigated Working Farm Show!

September 10 – 12, 2024 | Grand Island, NE

HuskerHarvestDays.com

Platinum Sponsors:

HOSTING WORLD-CLASS AGRICULTURE & LIVESTOCK EVENTS

DID YOU KNOW...

In 2021, GILCA hosted 9 events with a $10.1 million dollar impact on the Grand Island economy and growing in subsequent years.

The animal industry in Nebraska has a $13.2 billion economic footprint.

GILCA works to promote year-round use of the world-class livestock show facilities in the heart of the Midwest at Fonner Park. Situated in the thriving city of Grand Island, Nebraska, we offer all the amenities of large metropolitan areas, with the comfort and ease of small community. We are proud to be the home of the AKSARBEN Stock Show.

According to a recent study by UNL, the social relationships, character, exposure to competition, exposure to other cultures, knowledge and care of animals were positive outcomes of youth participation in livestock shows.

Junior National Hereford Expo 25th Anniversary ...................................................... July 6-12, 2024 Platte Valley Boernanza ........................................... October 3-6, 2024 Australian Shepherd Club of American National Specialty 50th Anniversary ...................................................... October 10-19, 2024 Alpha Gamma Rho Preview Show ........................... December 20-21, 2024

JANA SITTLER GILCA SHOW MANAGER 402-239-0519 jsittler@gilca.org

308.382.4515 GILCA.ORG 700 E. STOLLEY PARK ROAD GRAND ISLAND, NE 4 2-239-0 19

Fonner Park campus 700 E. Stolley Park Rd. 308-382-4515, FonnerPark.com

Fonner Parkʼs 200-acre campus, home to some of Nebraskaʼs largest and oldest events, continues to improve. What began as a home for the county fair added horse racing in 1954 and is now a full-fledged entertainment and show complex. The events center was added in 2006. The Nebraska State Fair built brand new facilities and moved to Fonner Park in 2010. Other improvements include the Nebraska Building, the Outdoor Learning Center, and the

Nebraska Law Enforcement Memorial. In 2023, ground was broken for the new $100-million Grand Island Casino Resort project north of the grandstands.

Entertainment! The 200-acre Fonner Park campus offers year-round fun for the whole family.

Hereʼs a breakdown of attractions and big events youʼll find at Fonner Park. Heartland Events Center 308-382-4515 HeartlandEventsCenter.com The Heartland Events Center seats 6,000 excited fans and families for events of all kinds. Concerts and athletic events are a staple, along with entertainment such as monster trucks and arenacross. Live horse racing 308-382-4515, FonnerPark.com Live thoroughbred horse racing from February into May is Nebraskaʼs springtime tradition at Fonner Park. Livestock shows GILCA.org The livestock show facilities at Fonner Park are second to none, and national shows happen throughout the year here. Nebraska State Fair 308-382-1620, StateFair.org Encompassed in entertainment, the Nebraska State Fair brings the state of Nebraska together to celebrate agriculture, Nebraskaʼs largest industry. Raising Nebraska 308-385-3967, RaisingNebraska.net This interactive agricultural experience explores how food goes from farm to fork. Its displays include a walkable map, a combine simulator, and an adjacent 1-acre educational garden. Rodeo Grand Island SuttonRodeo.com/rodeo-grand-island This PRCA event showcases a variety of rodeo skills in late February, including bull riding, roping, and barrel racing.

New Resort Casino 308-675-5600, GrandIslandResort.com Rising out of the ground north of the events center is the new Grand Island Casino Resort ! This facility will replace the temporary location currently operating in the racing concourse. It will feature a hotel, spa, restaurants, pools, entertainment, and of course a much larger gaming casino. The current temporary casino offers more than 250 state-of-the-art slot machines, a sports book, and table games.

17

Stuhr Museum 3133 W. Highway 34 308-385-5316, StuhrMuseum.org

Every museum tells a story, but Stuhr Museum puts you in the story. National publications list it as one of the top places to relive Americaʼs past. The 200-acre campus boasts a main building designed by architect Edward Durell Stone, a recreated railroad town with operating homes and businesses, and displays related to prairie life, Native Americans, and early farm equipment. Celebrate holidays with Stuhr Museum. Historic celebrations happen annually for the Fourth of July, Halloween, and Christmas.

Their glaciarium (ice skating rink) is gaining popularity during the winter.

Heritage

& history Step into our story by

A short history of Grand Island P rior to 1700 , approximately 60,000 Pawnee lived throughout what would become the central United States, although disease from Europe soon decimated their numbers. In 1803, the United States bought the land that would become Nebraska from the French — who had claimed it in 1682 — as part of The Louisiana Purchase. From 1840-1870, wagon trains followed the Great Platte River Road through the prairie that would become Grand Island. In 1842, La Grand Isle, the island in the Platte River which the city is named for, was estimated to be 52 miles long with an average width of 1.75 miles. The Nebraska Territory was established in 1854, extending northwest from Kansas up to the Canadian border. Grand Island City was founded in 1857 by 36 German settlers from Iowa. They built cabins out of the few available trees on the prairie. The city was a business venture, speculating the railroad would come through within a few years. However, the bank supporting the venture was bankrupted by a financial crisis later that same year. Most of the original settlers decided to stay anyway. That same year, the Pawnee ceded their remaining land to the government. In 1862, The O.K. Store opened as the first business in Grand Island City and included a post office, stagecoach barn, stockyard, hotel, and a garden. In 1866, the Union Pacific Railroad platted a new Grand Island a few miles west of the original settlement. In 1869, the transcontinental railroad was completed , largely bringing a halt to wagon trains. A few years later, the Burlington Railroad also arrived in Grand Island. The city of Grand Island grew by leaps and bounds in the 1880s, cresting 7,500 residents by 1890. Learn more about the history of Grand Island and Hall County at Stuhr Museum ( StuhrMuseum.org ), where a recreated prairie town shows visitors what life was like in the 1890s.

visiting these historic sites.

Wagon trail site Intersection of Alda Rd. and Guenther Rd. See some of the only remaining

Mormon Trail wagon ruts, or swales, on this 2-acre, Hall County prairie that has never been plowed. Lincoln Highway U.S. Hwy. 30, LincolnHighwayNebraskaByway.com Lincoln Highway Historic Byway landmarks in the area include the one-of-a-kind Seedling Mile, Shady Bend Cafe, Kensingerʼs Service Station, the first FCC monitoring station, and the Gloe Brothers Service Station in Wood River.

Historic walking tours Pick up self-guided walking tour brochures at 201 W. 3rd St., or call 308-382-4400 for guided tours.

19

The Grand Theatre 316 W. 3rd St. 308-381-2667, GrandMovieTheatre.com This 1937 Art Deco movie house is one of the landmarks in Railside. After commercial operation was no longer viable in the early 2000 s , a foundation was formed to purchase the building. Renovations over the last 15 years have The Grand sparkling again like it did on opening day. Most notable is the glass facade. The original Vitrolite, or colored glass, facade was restored to its original glory using a similar modern product. The Grandʼs facade was too large for the restoration specialists to repurpose salvaged tiles.

Movies can be seen every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night for $5.

Grand Island, Nebras -

Grand Islandʼs historic downtown has been reborn recently. Railside

Grand Islandʼs historic downtown district has a fresh face. In 2023, fifteen years of Railside renovations were illuminated with new festoon lighting along Third Street. Amur Plaza This public space doubled in size in 2023. The improvements include a large greenspace, restrooms, and a permanent stage. Antique shops One of the things Railside has been known for for decades is its antique shops. Two large, Third Street antique malls anchor your search for nostalgia in Grand Island. Boutique shops Boutiques in Railside sell clothing, furniture, and much more. Others allow you to explore the creative side of life. Fabulous Fourth Street Fourth Street is lined with ethnic shops and eateries, along with antiques and arts. Night life Find a spot to your liking for drinks and conversation. Options include a martini bar, speakeasy, breweries, an arcade bar, and more. Public art Railsideʼs renaissance includes many new murals and sculptures. Stop by the visitor center (201 W. 3rd St.) for a self-guided sculpture walk brochure, or ask about a schedule of guided tours. Restaurants Railsideʼs restaurants include numerous themed experiences, ethnic options, and dining in historic spaces.

The Liederkranz 401 W. 1st St. (Annual dues are $30/person) 308-382-9337, LiederkranzGI.org One of two German clubs in Grand Island, the Liederkranz has remade itself in Railside without sacrificing its charm. The building is anchored by a ballroom, behind which is a bar with Mid-Century

Modern flare. The basement contains a vintage bar from the original building (circa 1870s), and a vintage bowling alley. A large courtyard is home to the annual Craft Brew & Sausage Fest.

21

Cool, Comfortable, Restorative Sleep. At Ken’s, we are more than just an appliance store, we are your total home solution. Shop local at Ken’s, and we’ll deliver comfort and style to your home.

Kenʼs Appliance 2

2208 N. Webb Road Grand Island 308-382-6112

SHOP ONLINE at kensgi.com

HOURS January - February Open Tuesday - Saturday 10 am- 4 pm March - October Open Monday-Saturday 9 am - 5 pm

Stuhr 2

and Sunday 10 am - 5 pm November - December Open Tuesday - Saturday 10 - 4

2024 SPECIAL EVENTS February 24 - April 28: “ Hometown: A Nostalgic Chain of Memories ” Exhibit May 18 - August 25: “ On the Homefront: World War II in Nebraska ” Exhibit May 27: 1894 Memorial Day July 4: 1894 Independence Day September 14: Nebraska State Hand Cornhusking Contest September 14 & 15: Railroad Town Agricultural Fair October 11 & 12: All Hallows’ Eve November 23 & 30: North Pole Express December 7, 8, 13 & 14: Christmas Past & Present And more! For the latest, check out stuhrmuseum.org/visit/calendar or follow us on social media!

FEATURING

Ope

p n May 1 - Se tember 15

Stuhr Museum • 3133 W. US Hwy 34 • Grand Island, NE 68801 (308) 385-5316 • www.stuhrmuseum.org

Furniture You’ll Love Family owned, American made, and built for generations to come!

Amish Furniture 2

D I S COV E R What’s New

Elkhorn, Lincoln, Grand Island www.AmishFurnitureofNe.com

Airport 2

23

City parks 308-389-0290, giParks.com Significant improvements were made to

numerous parks in 2023. Most notable are a new splash pad at Stolley Park and a handicap accessible playground at Ryder Park. Roadways and parking at Stolley Park were also reconfigured for safety and increased space.

Axeholes 2300 N. Webb Rd. 308-675-3038, AxeholesGI.com

Axeholes is now so much more than just axe throwing. New activities include mini bowling, Nerf blast, an arcade, and interactive axe throwing. Drop in or plan a party.

Family fun Visit giParks.org for a complete list of city parks.

Grand Island Public Library 1124 W. 2nd St. 308-385-5333, giLibrary.org So much more than books, including a childrenʼs discovery center and makerspace. Level Up Arcade Bar 115 W. 3rd St., 402-870-4527 Level up with classic arcade games, foosball, pool, air hockey, and more. Peteʼs Safari 2070 S. Engleman Rd. 308-833-0735 (Seasonal hours) Forty different species fill this little zoo, including seven endangered species. Spring City Trampoline Park 2300 N. Webb Rd. 308-675-2864, JumpSpringCity.com Burn off steam with dodgeball, a ninja course, climbing wall, and of course trampolines. Lakes & Pools Eagle Scout lake 3050 N. Broadwell St., 308-389-0290 Walking trail, fishing, playground, pickleball courts, ball fields, and a splash pad. Island Oasis Water Park 321 E. Fonner Park Rd. 308-385-5381 Grand-Island.com/Oasis Wave pool, lazy river, speed slides, and four 150-foot slides . L.E. Ray Park & Lake 3315 S. Blaine, 308-389-0290 A disc golf course, fishing, and a dog park. Pier Park & Skate Park 500 S. Oak St., 308-389-0290 Wading pool, fishing, and a 14,000-square- foot skate park. Stolley Park & Kids Kingdom 2103 W. Stolley Park Rd., 308-389-0290 Disc golf, wading pool, splash pad, pickleball courts, and a miniature rail line.

20 minutes away Edgerton Explorit Center 208 16th St. (Aurora) 402-694-4032, Edgerton.org Hastings Museum 1330 N. Burlington Ave. (Hastings)

402-694-4032, HastingsMuseum.org Helgothʼs Pumpkin Patch 121 Eagle Rd. (St. Libory, seasonal) 308-379-4275, HelgothsPumpkinPatch.com The Scarecrow Patch 568 Denton Rd. (St. Libory, seasonal) 308-687-6254, TheScarecrowPatch.com Wood River Aquatic Center 13801 Wood River Rd. (Wood River) 308-583-1048, WoodRiverNe.com

25

Mormon Island I-80 Exit 312 308-385-6211 (state park permit required) OutdoorNebraska.gov This recreation area located on Interstate 80 allows easy access to modern camping facilities, swimming, no-wake boating, and fishing. A Platte River channel borders the north edge of the park. The city of Grand Island recently purchased the historic former Boy Scout Camp Augustine located just north of Mormon Island with the intention of working closely with Nebraska Game and Parks to build a public complex dedicated to outdoor recreation and education. When completed, the project will encompass some 550 acres

and is set to transform the park into a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and families alike.

Outdoorsy The expansion of Mormon Island will add another dimension to a destination already known for watching wildlife.

Bader Park 898 Bader Park Rd. (Chapman) 308-986-2522, BaderPark.org A 270-acre park open year round with hiking, biking, and equestrian trails along the Platte River. Wetlands, a cottonwood forest, and a tall grass prairie with abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. Tent and RV camping are available. Crane Trust Nature Center 9325 S. Alda Rd. (I-80 Exit 305) 308-382-1820, CraneTrust.org An organization dedicated to the conservation of whooping crane habitat is your gateway to Nebraskaʼs Platte River and your headquarters for the Spring Migration of the sandhill cranes. Relax in the art gallery, hike, or check out one of the trustʼs guided excursions. A genetically pure herd of bison roams its prairies. Derr House Prairie 13650 S. Platte River Dr. (Wood River) 402-694-4191, Nature.org/Nebraska The Nature Conservancyʼs Derr House has public trails through restored prairies. They host prairie days that offer talks and tours. Gjerloff & Sherman prairies 2206 N. M Rd. (Marquette) 402-694-5535, PrairiePlains.org Gjerloff Prairieʼs 390 acres offer trails on open prairie, gulleys, steep cliffs, a half mile of riverfront, and a multipurpose education center. The nearby 650-acre Sherman Ranch also offers marked trails and riverfront access. Hall County Park 2447 W. Schimmer Dr. 308-385-5087 A large wooded park with trails. RV and tent camping April through September. Outdoor Learning Center 501 E. Fonner Park Rd. 308-385-3967 This garden educates the public about water quantity and quality, groundwater stewardship, natural filtration techniques, efficient water use, and the Ogallala Aquifer.

Hunting & fishing Calamus Reservoir Burwell, Nebraska (2 hours north) 5,123 acre lake Fishing, boating, swimming Harlan County Lake Alma, Nebraska (2 hours southwest) 13,250 acre lake Fishing, boating, swimming, hunting Sherman Reservoir

Loup City, Nebraska (1 hour northwest) 2,485 acre lake Fishing, boating, hunting

27

Shooti ng park 6788 W. Husker Hwy. 308-385-5048 HeartlandPublicShootingPark.com

The 420-acre Heartland Public Shooting Park is unmatched for 1,000 miles in any direction. It boasts an incredibly wide range of disciplines available to shooters including lighted skeet ranges, lighted trap ranges, a 10-station sporting clay range, archery ranges, and complete rifle and pistol ranges from 25 to 600 yards. An Olympic bunker trap range was added in 2018. The park plays host to regional and national events every year. Hornady Manufacturing, headquarted in Grand Island, took over management of the park in 2023. Heartland Public Shooting Park is ready for recreational shooters as well as large events.

Enjoy some friendly competition, whether youʼre playing or watching others play. Recreation

Sports Facilities Grand Island Fieldhouse 525 E. Fonner Park Rd. 308-384-1999, giParks.com Grand Island Tennis Center 2204 Bellwood Dr. 308-675-1616, GrandIslandTennisCenter.com Veterans Sports Complex 2820 N. Broadwell Ave. 308-385-5444, giParks.com

Third City Archers Indoor range, 317 N. Elm St.

Outdoor range, 3917 W. Schimmer Dr. ThirdCityArchers.wildapricot.org YMCA 221 E. South Front St. 308-395-9622, giYMCA.org Bowling Cairo Bowl 324 S. High St. (Cairo) 308-485-4111 CairoBowlAndTheWateringHole.com Westside Bowling Lanes 112 Kaufmann Ave. 308-381-0300 Hike-bike trails Bader Park trails 898 Bader Park Rd. (Chapman) BaderPark.org Crane Trust trails 9325 S. Alda Rd. CraneTrust.org Dark Island Trail (Central City) DarkIslandTrail.org Grand Island city trails giParks.com

Golf courses Centura Hills Golf Club 312 Centura Hills Dr. (Cairo) 308-485-4650, CenturaHills.com Fonner View (9-hole golf course) 2224 S. Stuhr Rd. 308-382-0202 Indianhead Golf Club 4100 Husker Highway 308-381-4653, IndianHeadGolf.com Jackrabbit Run Golf Course 2800 N. Shady Bend Rd. 308-385-5340, JackRabbitRunGolf.com Riverside Golf Club (private) 2820 Riverside Dr. 308-382-7298, RiversideGolfClub.org

29

30 | 2023 Grand Island Vibe 30 | 2023 Grand Island Vibe

On the road Three byways converge in Grand Island.

Roadside attractions Fredʼs Flying Circus 503 E. Fourth St. Feel free to gawk at this garden of fantastic, flying cartoon cars created by the late Fred Schritt. One of his creations featuring the comic strip characters Garfield and Odie can also be seen at the Central Nebraska Humane Society. Railroad hot spot Railside in Grand Island; Wood River Great train viewing locations are located in Grand Islandʼs Railside, where a flyover carries BNSF trains over the Union Pacific main line, and the pedestrian bridge in Wood River. Other railroad viewing opportunities include the Nebraska Central Railroad as it heads north from Grand Island towards St. Paul. Byways Lincoln Highway U.S. Highway 30 LincolnHighwayNebraskaByway.com

Nearby destinations Happy Jack Chalk Mine 45 minutes northwest near Scotia 308-245-3276 6,000 feet of honeycombed caverns. Mignery Sculpture Garden 75 minutes north in Bartlett 39 bronze cowboy sculptures. Nebraska Baseball Museum 20 minutes north in St. Paul NebraskaBaseballMuseum.com For baseball lovers everywhere. Nebraska National Forest 2 hours west near Halsey along the Sandhills Journey National Scenic Byway An entirely hand-planted forest in the Nebraska Sandhills.

This historic byway, also known as The Father Road, goes from sea to shining sea across the United States. Loup Rivers Scenic Byway Nebraska Highways 91, 11 Rolling farmland surrounds the scenic Loup River Basin, giving way to the Sandhills as you travel west. This byway is home to the 300+ mile Nebraska Junk Jaunt, outdoor activities at multiple reservoirs, and Happy Jack Chalk Mine. Sandhills Journey National Scenic Byway This byway rolls 272 miles through the Nebraska Sandhills, the largest area of grass-covered sand dunes in the Western hemisphere. The World Wildlife Fund compares the importance of the Sandhills to places like the Amazon rainforest. Nebraska Highway 2, SandhillsJourney.com

31

Conestoga Marketplace Highway 281 and 13th St. ConestogaMarketplace.com The Conestoga Mall redevelopment project aims to re-energize shopping in Grand Island. Anchoring the redesign will be a full-service, 150,000-square-foot Target. In addition to this, the remaining 140,000 square feet of retail space will be completely remodeled. Plans for this $250 million project include a 40,000 square foot state-of-the-art theater, a 150-room hotel, and 275 luxury apartments. Additional commercial lots will offer new restaurants, bringing new life to this established shopping district.

32 | 2023 Grand Island Vibe

Whether youʼre shopping because you need to or you want to. Shopping

Some people approach shopping like a task, while others love the thrill of the hunt. Finding something new and different, getting a great bargain, or meeting a need are all reasons to shop Grand Island. As a regional shopping destination, Grand Island has a great mix of independent businesses and larger chain stores. Retail shopping is concentrated in Railside — Grand Islandʼs historic downtown district — and Merchandise Mile along Highway 281. Merchandise Mile This 2-mile stretch of Highway 281 is the core hub of large national retailers. Interspersed are smaller independent businesses. In this retail district, you can find sporting goods, items to equip and decorate your home, clothing, toys, and much more. Railside Shop in the Railside district under Third Streetʼs festoon lights and in its historic buildings. Independent businesses offer everything from fashion and antiques to gaming and furniture. Make time for a leisurely shopping trip through Railside, and donʼt forget to stop for coffee and a meal in one of the unique eateries.

Western Wear Grand Island is a staunchly agricultural community. Surrounded by fertile farmland and ripe with ag-related industry, itʼs no surprise there are some great western shops in the city. Along Merchandise Mile, Western

Edge is a large retail roundup of the latest styles. Fourth Streetʼs Old Town Boot Barn will sell you new kicks or repair your favorite pair.

33

Spring Migration Mid February through early April 308-382-1820, CraneTrust.org Each spring, 1,250,000 sandhill cranes

converge on the Platte River in central Nebraska over the course of 8 weeks as they migrate north to their nesting grounds. The Crane Trust documented that a Platte River sandbar on their Hall County, Nebraska, property serves as the largest crane roost in the world during the sandhill cranesʼ spring migration. The peak of the gathering occurs during the middle of March. You might also catch a glimpse of endangered whooping cranes. This one-of-a-kind experience draws visitors — including avid birders, scientists, photographers, and casual tourists — from around the world.

Spring events Weekend of Wheels February 24-25, Fonner Park FonnerPark.com

Thoroughbred Horse Racing February-May, Fonner Park FonnerPark.com Fonner Park features live thoroughbred horse races Friday- Sunday from mid February into early May.

Make it a weekend at Fonner Park in the spring with hot rods and horse races. Harlem Globetrotters March 27, Fonner Park HeartlandEventsCenter.com Needing no introduction, the Globetrotters are bringing real basketball to Grand Island. Tri-City Con March 30, Fonner Park Taking the place of the Grand Comic Fest, this event will feature comics, toys, and trading cards. Nebraska Bigfoot Conference April 26-27, Fonner Park NebraskaBigfootMuseum.com Learn more about these mysterious creatures at this annual event with lectures and a trade show. Memorial Day May 27, Stuhr Museum StuhrMuseum.org Experience a historic re- enactment during this popular holiday celebration. Event dates and times subject to change.

AKC Dog Show May 11-12, Fonner Park giKennelClub.com Enjoy this annual celebration of perfect pooches from around the country on parade in the Pinnacle Bank Expo Center.

Skills USA April 11-13, Fonner Park Hundreds of high school students compete in various technical skills and trades, from baking cookies to laying concrete blocks, creating animation to auto mechanics. Tours available.

Guided walking tours TBA, Railside 308-382-4400 Grand Island Tourismʼs visitor center leads guided walking tours exploring the history and sculptures of Railside.

Scan for a current calendar.

35

Junior National Hereford Expo July 3-13, Fonner Park Hereford.org/youth/jnhe The American Hereford Associationsʼ 25th

annual Junior National Hereford Expo will be held in Grand Island. Fonner Park, known nationally as one of the countryʼs premier livestock show facilities, is excited to host this event again. The hereford show in 2023 featured more than 2,000 entries (animals) shown by more than 800 youth from around the United States. The week- long event not only includes a livestock show, but also includes educational components, sales and speech competitions, and a college and career fair.

Summer events Cornstalk Festival June 7-8, Cairo CairoCommunity.com

Grand Island Kite Festival June, Veterans Athletic Park Families and kite flyers alike love this annual event. Bring or buy your own kite, or just come to watch the pros fly their massive custom designs.

A classic small-town celebration including free entrance to the pool, turtle races, and a dance. Fourth Street Festival June 22-23, Fourth Street Celebrating the many cultures on Fourth Street with music, dance, food, a car show, boxing, and activities for kids. Public fireworks July 4, Fonner Park Art in the Park July, Stolley Park This annual event features artworks by sculptors, painters, and more. 4-H horse show July 14-17, Fonner Park An annual equine event for horse lovers. Hall County Fair July 17-21, Fonner Park HallCountyFair.com Bring the family for live music, a midway, and of course the animals and open class entries.

Fourth of July July 4, Stuhr Museum StuhrMuseum.org

This Independence Day celebration offers a glimpse into life in the 1890s. An old-fashioned parade, pie-eating contest, and firing of the anvil are often on the docket.

Grand Car Show August 3, Railside GrandMovieTheatre.com Classic cars line Railsideʼs Third Street for this annual car show with live music and free food.

Event dates and times subject to change.

Craft Brew & Sausage Fest August, Liederkranz giBrewFest.com

Sausage, microbrews, and music in the shady courtyard of the historic Liederkranz Club on a summer afternoon.

Scan for a current calendar.

37

Nebraska State Fair August 23-September 2, Fonner Park 308-382-1620, StateFair.org The state fair features concerts, a fantastic midway, and agricultural competitions in

some of the most modern fair facilities around. Entertainment is spread across the grounds and includes exotic animals, stunts, and musicians. A variety of concerts in numerous genres are scheduled outdoors and in the Heartland Events Center. This yearʼs lineup so far includes The Gatlin Brothers, Casting Crowns, and rapper Yung Gravy. Look for more concert announcements soon!

Fair food is one of the top reasons people visit the fair, and pineapple whip is one of visitorsʼ top choices.

Autumn events

Husker Harvest Days Sept. 14-15 HuskerHarvestDays.com Gain priceless insights into modern farming at the worldʼs largest, totally irrigated, annual farm show. Agricultural Fair Sept. 14-15, Stuhr Museum StuhrMuseum.org Experience a fair as it would have happened on a prairie community in the 1890s. All Hallowʼs Eve October 11-12, Stuhr Museum StuhrMuseum.org Experience an old-fashioned Halloween at one of Stuhr Museumʼs most popular events. Imagination Bacon August 9, Fonner Park HeartlandUnitedWay.org Enjoy local craft brews and bacon-inspired appetizers at this unique United Way fundraiser.

Cornhusking contest September 14, Stuhr Museum StuhrMuseum.org How much corn can a Cornhusker husk by hand? Find out at this annual competition.

Aksarben September 26-29, Fonner Park AksarbenStockShow.com This prestigious show is held at Fonner Park. Put on by the Nebraska State Fair, itʼs open to youth exhibitors, national livestock judging teams, and junior college and college level exhibitors. Junk Jaunt Sept. 27-29, Loup Rivers Byway JunkJaunt.com This 300-mile-long garage sale extends into the Nebraska Sandhills along the Loup River and Sandhills Journey scenic byways. Bring your trailer or rent a van to haul all of your treasures home.

Event dates and times subject to change.

Harvest of Harmony October 5, Railside giChamber.com

This parade on the first Saturday in October features bands marching through downtown. Itʼs followed by a field competition.

Scan for a current calendar.

39

Australian Shepherd national show October 11-19, Fonner Park ASCA.org

The 50th annual Australian Shepherd Club of Americaʼs National Specialty show will be held in Grand Island this October. This event showcases Australian Shepherds — or Aussies — in a variety of competitive events over a period of nine days. Events include stockdog trials, obedience, rally, agility, conformation, junior handling, dock jumping, and tracking.

More than 430 people brought their Aussies to compete in 2023, and event organizers expect even more to participate in this yearʼs event. Photograph by Jay Hill, JayHillPhotography.com

Winter events

Rifle Club Gun Show October 26-27, Fonner Park Toast Nebraska Holiday Winefest November 9, Fonner Park ToastWineFest.com Presented by the Nebraska Winery and Grape Growers Association, TOAST Nebraska is a celebration of Nebraska wines. Fantasy of Trees November 29, Stuhr Musuem StuhrMuseum.org The elegant Stuhr Building fills up with decorated Christmas trees for the month of December. Nebraska State Cheer & Dance February 20-22, Fonner Park This annual competition fills the Heartland Events Center with glittery cheer every winter.

Christmas Past & Present Dec. 7-8, 13-14, Stuhr Museum StuhrMuseum.org Explore a historic Christmas in a lantern-lit 1890s town. Create ornaments, help string popcorn, or build a toy in the wood shop.

Railside Christmas November, Railside ArriveRailside.com

Celebrate the holiday season with crafts, games, vendors, and Santa Claus in Grand Islandʼs historic downtown.

Heartland Hoops Classic February, Fonner Park HeartlandHoopsClassic.com High school basketball all day long, culminating in a match between Nebraskaʼs best ballers and a national powerhouse. Rodeo Grand Island Feb. 28-March 1, 2025, Fonner Park SuttonRodeo.com Not just for rodeo lovers, this annual PRCA event features bull riding, broncs, barrel racing, and more in the Heartland Events Center.

Event dates and times subject to change.

Scan for a current calendar.

41

Grand Is- land Region- al 2

Basic level trauma center 67-bed, acute care hospital State-of-the-art surgery facility Diagnostic imaging, including PET scan Maternity care, Level II NICU Elevating Quality of Life Through Better Health

3533 Prairieview Street

308-675-5000

Grand Island

bryanhealth.com/girmc

Save The Date

Junk Jaunt 4

September 27 - 29, 2024 Shop ‘til You Drop junkjaunt.com | 308.346.5151

Crane Trust 4 THE HOME OF NORTH AMERICA’S LARGEST WILDLIFE MIGRATION Spring Crane Migration Tours Photography Experiences

Pollinator Garden • Hiking Trails Community Programs • Field Trips Art Gallery • Gift Shop • Bison Herd ... and more!

Nearly 500 miles of yard/garage sales and fun in scenic north- central Nebraska. Everything from Granny’s hankies to kolaches Over 500 vendors in 2023!

cranetrust.org

Open 9am–4pm Mon–Sat

Crane Trust Nature & Visitor Center 9325 S Alda Road • I-80 Exit 305

What makes our island a simply grand place to live A ccording to Area Development Magazine’s recent Leading Metro Locations study, Grand Island emerged as the highest ranked metro area in Nebraska for economic growth in 2023. Grand Island secured the 22nd overall position in the nation. Additionally, Grand Island has achieved the impressive ranking of 3rd for core economic indicators, 11th for economic strength, and 30th for wage and salary growth out of 384 metros in the United States. Area Development Magazine facilitated the five-year Leading Metro Locations study, measuring the data of metropolitan communities across the country. The study compared local gross domestic product and how it’s trending, unemployment rates, job growth, and how well the needs of employers are matched with the labor market. Grow Grand Island core partners — the Grand Island Area Chamber of Commerce, Grand Island Area Economic Development Corporation, and Grand Island Tourism — in conjunction with the City of Grand Island are delighted to announce this significant achievement reflecting the dedication, collaboration, and forward-thinking approach of our local businesses, community stakeholders, and city government. The results of this study position Grand Island as a leader of economic prosperity in Nebraska, outpacing other metro areas in the region. This designation can be validated with a drive down Grand Island’s Highway 281 corridor, a stroll through Railside, or cooling off at the Veterans Athletic Complex's splash pad. This recognition is a testament to our community's commitment to fostering innovation, attracting investment, and creating a positive environment for businesses and residents to thrive. To find out more about moving here, go to MoveToGrandIsland.com .

Chamber of Commerce 4

Life on the Island - Where you can make a living and have a life! DIVERSE EMPLOYMENT

OPPORTUNITIES GREAT SCHOOLS 16+ MILES OF TRAILS

DAILY FLIGHTS 32 CITY PARKS

GRANDISLAND.COM

Great place to visit. Better place to live. Let’s talk about growing your business in Grand Island.

 GrandIslandEDC  contact@grandisland.org  (308) 381-7500

EDC 4

Becky Rother ProgramManager

Mary Berlie President

Amanda North Housing Planner

LEARN MORE AT GRAND ISLAND . ORG

43

Hear Grand Island Fridays in June-Aug., HearGrandIsland.com The Hear Grand Island concert series is a 10- week music extravaganza. Free concerts are played from a new stage on the expanded plaza in Railside each Friday night. All genres are fair game. Performing arts Celebrate Wood River wrCommunityFoundation.com/celebratewr A performing arts and entertainment series always free to the public. Events commonly include music, comedy, and history. Grand Island Little Theatre 308-381-6535, giTheater.org Putting on full stage productions every October, December, February, April (depending on the date of Easter), and June.

Both the visual arts and music scene are growing in Grand Island. Music & the arts

Visual arts Railside murals Railside district

The Mural Wall is the newest addition to art in Railside, and is a great compliment to the wings adorning its alleyways. Sculpture walk Railside district 308-382-4400, ArriveRailside.com Sculptures placed around this historic downtown area are swapped each spring. Studio 10 Art Gallery 112 W. 3rd St. 308-381-4001, Studio10ArtGallery.com New shows every month, openings on the first Friday of the month. Features local and regional arts and crafts. Stuhr Museum Gallery 3133 W. Highway 34 308-385-5316, StuhrMuseum.org The gallery in the Stuhr Building hosts new shows throughout the year. Music

Concert Association 308-382-2309, giConcerts.org Brings national and international musicians to Grand Island. Music Series Stuhr Museum or College Park, 308-850-3307, giMusicSeries.com Diverse, high-quality performances each month that entertain listeners of all ages. Heartland Events Center 700 E. Stolley Park Rd. 308-382-4515 HeartlandEventsCenter.com The events center hosts numerous concerts every year. Summer Concert Series Grand Island parks 308-389-0290, giParks.com A parks & recreation summer series featuring a variety of different styles.

Paint your own Arts & Drafts 411 W. 3rd St. 308-391-1798, ArtsAndDrafts.net Painting classes with drinks; check their website for a schedule. The Happy Brush 305 W. 3rd St. 308-383-4609, TheHappyBrushGI.com Drop-in painting and crafts with party rooms and beverages.

45

Vineyards in Nebraska

Grapevines love Nebraska soil. They like rolling hills with water far below, but within reach, and brisk winds to keep unwanted intruders away. These are all the ingredients for growing grapes that make award-winning wine. A lot of French- American hybrids or American varietals are grown here. Some of these winter-hardy grapes include Edelweiss, LaCrosse, St. Croix, and Vignoles. 5,000 acres of vineyards flourished during the late 1800s in Nebraska. WWI, Prohibition, and the Great Depression uprooted the industry until a few visionaries dared to plant grapes among the corn again in the 1980s. For more information, visit NebraskaWines.com.

Vineyards and breweries have a long history in the area. Wine & brew

Breweries & distilleries The Chicken Coop 120 E. 3rd St. 308-398-2500, ChickenCoopSportsBar.com Brewing root beer and cream soda on site, this restaurant also serves Thunderhead Brewery beers. Kinkaider Brewing Co. 316 N. Pine St. 308-384-3655, Kinkaider.com Taproom and restaurant in an old theater. 308-754-2242, LoupRiverDistilling.net Lovingly distilled from corn on the family farm. Prairie Pride Brewing Co. 115 E. South Front St. 308-850-5375, PrairiePrideBrewery.com Taproom with a brewery on site. Wineries & vineyards Loup River Distilling 503 Howard Ave. (St. Paul)

Miletta Vista Winery 1732 N. Highway 281 (St. Paul) 308-754-4416 MilettaVistaWinery.com Enjoy a meal and breathtaking views of the prairie with these award-winning wines. (pictured at left) Moonlight Ridge Vineyard 8150 N. Highway 281 308-381-2337 MoonlightRidgeVineyard.com A tasting room and large outdoor pavilion available to rent for events and parties. Closed mid-December through March. Prairie Creek Vineyard 1600 16th St. (Central City) 308-940-3863 PrairieCreekWine.com This restaurant serves wines from its own vineyard. Prairie Creek is all about the complete wine-tasting experience.

Local produce Helgothʼs Roadside Market Highway 281 & 2nd Ave. (St. Libory) 308-687-6072 Roadside stand on north Highway 281, 9am-8pm in season. Plackeʼs Melons & Produce Highway 281 & 4th Ave. (St. Libory) 308-687-6338 Roadside stand on north Highway 281, Mon-Sat, 9am-9pm in season.

47

Merle Nor- man 8 30 s 40 s 50 s

60 s +

Teens

20 s

@optikadowntown

BEAUTIFUL AT EVERY AGE STOP BY FOR YOUR FREE SKIN ASSESSMENT

experience the art of carefully chosen eyewear...

308-381-7691 Tuesday 11:30-5:30 Wednesday-Friday 10:00-5:30 Saturday 10:00-3:00

Merle Norman Cosmetics Grand Island Studio 3304 W. Capital Ave

Optiika 4

62O West 2nd Street • Suite 1OO Hastings, Nebraska 689O1 mikaela@optikadowntown.com 4O2.519.5995

Walnut and West South Front Street 3180 W. US Hwy 34, Grand Island | 308-382-2586 The Independent (filler)8 Live performances in October, December, February, April and June April 2024: Tuesdays withMorrie | June 2024: Jersey Boys For tickets and showtimes, visit githeater.org

Growing with Grand Island

Inspire and Strengthen Our Community by

Pinnacle Bank 4

GI Library 4

Connecting People With

Information - Ideas - Experiences

FINE FREE DIVERSE LIBRARY FOR ALL!

Free Programming and Online Resources for All Ages Children’s Discovery Centers Teens-Gateway Makerspace Switch Gaming Area Computers & Free Wi-Fi Makerspace and Digital Lab

Building relationships, serving others and investing in the future. It’s what we do.

Outreach & Homebound Service Genealogy, Book Clubs,Art Exhibits Author & Humanities Nebraska Programming Seed Library Book Sale Area

Thank you for allowing us to be part of Grand Island’s vibrant story!

Library: 1124 W 2nd St | 308.385.5333 Foundation: PO Box 1364 | Grand Island 68801 giplf.org | gilibrary.org

GRAND ISLAND 106 E. 3 rd St. 308.675.4600