McCook's big celebration is always special

A check of the latest Census date shows Red Willow County, with 11,448 people, 11,167 of whom describing themselves as white.

Only 18 call themselves black or African American, 44 of American Indian or Alaska Native descent, 19 Asian, two Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, 106 of some other race, 92 of two or more races, and 281 Hispanic or Latino.

Look through the phonebook and you'll see a significant number of names that reflect our region's origins has home to a number of German settlers who came to America via Russia.

The group was so well represented, in fact, that this week's community celebration, the biggest of the year, originally was called "German Heritage Days."

"Yesterday's Dreams and Tomorrow's Visions" is the theme of this year's event, which kicks off tonight with a Chamber of Commerce mixer at McCook Naitonal Bank.

The big events of the evening, which starts at 5:30 p.m., will include the honor family, royalty, grand marshal and parade marshal.

Friday, as well as Saturday and Sunday, begins with SunRise Breeders and Open Futurity at the Kiplinger Arena.

McCook native and Lincoln attorney Jim Harris will speak at the Norris Foundation Prayer Breakfast 7 a.m. at the Heritage Senior Center, and other events are set for the Senior Center throughout the morning.

Saturday begins with the United Way 5K Run and Walk, and the annual parade starts at 10 a.m. in downtown McCook.

Another highlight this year is a USO-type show at the Fox Theater, 7:30 p.m. Saturday night.

Sunday includes a Sunday worship service at 10 a.m. in Norris Park, and the McCook Optimits PPK contest is 2 p.m. at Weiland Field.

Of course, don't miss the arts and crafts fair and food booths Saturday and Sunday at Norris Park.

Over the years, this weekend's big celebration has been abbreviated to just "Heritage Days," but it's still a great time to get together to celebrate what we have in common: A love for our community and the people who populate it.