Chadron State Park is celebrating its 103rd birthday this weekend with activities tonight from 5-10:00 and tomorrow from 10:00-5:00.
Assistant Park Superintendent Josh May says tonight’s activities are centered in the picnic area by the shooting gallery. They include food vendors, a beer garden, and a concert from 7-10:00 by Cheap Date.
Tomorrow’s schedule includes free paddleboat rides from 9-2:00, over 40 food and craft vendors, a beer garden, live music by Pete Butler from 11-2:00, a bounce house, naturalist talks, fish and wildlife displays, and blacksmithing demonstrations.
May is putting out a specific call for entries in the Car, Bike, and Truck Show with registration opening at 9:00 and the show running from 10:00-2:00 (more or less)
The day actually begins at 8:00 with the Run for the Hills, part of the Pine Ridge Trails Race series and offering options of 1-mile, 5K, 10K, and half-marathon with all starting at the turnoff to the Black Hills Overlook on the west side of Chadron State Park.
     Game and Parks Public Information Officer Justin Haag, a frequent contributor to Nebraskaland Magazine, says the setting for the race draws rave reviews from virtually everyone.
The Park’s birthday celebration now also includes the annual Chadron Kiwanis Canoe Regatta, originally part of Fur Trade Days. Registration begins at 2:00 with racing getting underway at 2:30.