Don't wait to celebrate Heritage Days

The Heritage Days Parade that begins at 10 a.m. Saturday is the traditional high point of the annual celebration, but don't wait until then to get involved.

And don't think that only traditional activities, as fun as they will be, are the only things to do this week. There are at least a couple of unique events that you'll want to take in in addition to the usual food, entertainment and celebrations.

Unique this year will be the full-scale replica of the bibilical Tabernacle of the Wilderness, on display beginning at 10 a.m. Friday on the lot south of Community Hospital. Attendees will get a life-size look at the worship center that accompanied the children of Israel on their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. The McCook Ministerial Association is sponsoring the visit, which involves many local volunteers.

Another one-time event is a game, 7 p.m. Saturday at the McCook Community College Events Center, between the McCook Area Hoopsters and the Harlem Ambassadors. Call the chamber at (308) 345-3200 for information on tickets to this family-friendly evening of laughter, comedy, slam dunks and high-flying hoops.

The celebration begins at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday with the chamber mixer at McCook National Bank, 215 W. First, including presentation of the honor family, royalty, grand marshal and parade marshal.

But the chamber plans a second helping at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, when VK Electronics, 606 West B, will celebrate its grand reopining with another chamber mixer.

Friday begins bright and early with the George W. Norris Foundation Prayer Breakfast, with State Sen. Bill Avery as speaker, at the Heritage Senior Center.

Heritage Senior Center activities continue with a card party at 9:30 a.m., followed by a picnic lunch and bingo.

A quilt show opens at the George Norris House at 1 p.m. and family quilts will be on display at the Museum of the High Plains Historical Society.

A McCook Community Foundation celebration is set for 5:30 p.m. Friday at the Keystone Business Center.

Saturday kicks off with a Community Chest of McCook 1 mile fun run and 5K run/walk, beginning with registration at 6:30 a.m.

Other activities surrounding the parade at Norris Park include a car show and tractor show, food vendors at the park and at Memorial United Methodist Church, book signings by Don Schaaf and Ginny Odenback in the Keystone Lobby from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., by Michael Hainey at noon at Sehnert's Bakery and Biereoc Cafe, parade honors and awards at noon at Norris Park, followed by entertainment.

The Red Willow Western Rural Fire Department is taking on all comers in the Fire Department Challenge at 2 p.m.

"Grit n Gumption" with Cherri Beam-Clark is set for a free performance at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, and Sunday begins with a worship service with Brad Randal and the McCook Christian Church at 10 a.m. in Norris Park.

Entertainment continues through the afternoon at Norris Park, with Southwest Nebraska's Got Talent from 1 to 3 p.m., and the big weekend concludes with the McCook Clean-Up Demo Derby at 6 p.m. at the Red Willow County Fairgrounds, West 5th and O.