Hometown celebrations abound

Celebration season roared out of the starting gates in Southwest Nebraska and Northwest Kansas on Memorial Weekend, with major events in Beaver City, Maywood and McCook launching a summer-full of festivities.

Joining with thousands of former residents who returned for cemetery visits and family reunions, the celebrations brought crowds together for the 7th annual Bullnanza in Beaver City, the 14th annual Old Glory Days in Maywood and the 8th annual Buffalo Commons Storytelling Festival in McCook. The weekend was further enhanced by the Classic Car Show, staged in conjunction with the storyfest, and the World War II Veterans Recognition Breakfast, both of which took place in McCook.

"It was wonderful," said Co-Chairman Cloyd Clark of the storyfest, which culminated Saturday evening at McCook Memorial Auditorium with stories, dancing to '50s music and the selection of McCook's own Walt Sehnert as the 2004 Master Storyteller.

The success of the storytelling festival's opening show Friday night was an appropriate sendoff for the weekend ... and the summer to come. "The schedule is packed," said Connie Jo Discoe, the Gazette's regional editor. "We have events every weekend."

Next week, for example, Connie Jo will be covering both the 37th annual Wilsonville Rodeo and the 3rd annual Oberlin Car Show and Swap Meet. From then on, celebrations are an every weekend happening in the Golden Plains, going through fair season and climaxing with McCook's 33rd annual Heritage Days celebration on Sept. 25-26.

In the middle of the summer, as always, will be the "Granddaddy of Them All," the 102nd annual Old Settler's Picnic in Indianola, scheduled the first Saturday in August.

Why do we always say how many "annual" when referring to a celebration? Because the number of years shows the community's commitment to continue their town's traditions.

Historically, it's important. We need to keep the celebration spirit alive, joining for hometown fun, fellowship and festivities on a regular, planned basis.

Following a rousing and reverent Memorial Weekend, we're off to a great start. Let's keep it going, giving our support to the hard-working volunteers who make these events possible.