'Back in the Day' in abundance for Heritage Days

The weather promises to be great and so is the schedule for this year's edition of the McCook Area Chamber of Commerce's annual Heritage Days celebration, "Back In The Day ..."

But the weather is only one of the factors that promise to make this one of the best Heritage Days in years, kicking off with honor family royalty, grand marshal and parade marshal revelations at the Heritage Days mixer, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at McCook National Bank, 215 W. First.

For aerial spectacles, nothing beats hot air balloon launches, which will occur at 7:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, give or take an hour and depending on winds and other factors, at the Red Willow County Fairgrounds. Bring your camera and be prepared to be impressed.

But it is "Heritage Days," after all, and there will be plenty of memories to go around. For one, black baseball pioneer Mickey Stubblefield will return as grand marshal of the event, honored at a reception at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Museum of the High Plains, 413 Norris Ave. "Back in the Day," the Stubblefields were just another McCook family, Mickey coaching the "McCook Kittens" softball team, and dad working at a car dealership.

"Back in the Day," Sen. and Mrs. George Norris were the old couple who lived on Main Street, and few thought about Norris' role in establishing the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Lame Duck Amendment -- or the Nebraska Unicameral. That latter accomplishment will be addressed Sen. Tom Vickers of Farnam, who served in the Nebraska Legislature for eight years, at Friday's George W. Norris Foundation Prayer Breakfast at the Heritage Senior Center, 1312 W. Fifth.

We also drove cars "Back in the Day" like -- well, sort of -- those that will be on display at the car show from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday on H Street at Norris Park; and used tractors like those at the McCook Art Guild's Tractor Show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on East C Street.

"Back in the Day" is the theme of the Heritage Days Parade, which begins at 10 a.m. Saturday on Norris Avenue, and we're sure there will be plenty of nostalgia on hand.

Baby Boomers who remember listening to John Denver's music "Back in the Day" will enjoy Saturday night's concert by tribute artist Ted Vigil, with special accompaniment by local musicians Tre Sostre and The Gentlemen's Club, at 7:30 p.m. at the Fox Theatre.

Of course, the newly refurbished Norris Park band shell will be a focus of activities throughout the weekend, providing a venue for entertainment while visitors take in the food booths and craft fair Saturday and Sunday, as well as Sunday morning's 10 a.m. worship services led by the Rev. Clark Bates.

All in all, it's shaping up to be a memorable Heritage Days weekend, and we hope you'll take in as many activities as possible.