Crawford’s 4th of July Celebration begins once again with the White River 5K Run/Walk from Fort Robinson State Park to Crawford.
      Registration runs from 6:45-7:15 at the Post Playhouse with the runners and walkers leaving at 7:30 on a course over the White River Trail.
Participants and motorists are reminded to use extreme caution where the trail crosses Hwy 20.
The annual 4th of July Parade at 10:00 has the theme this year of Party Like a Patriot with 43rd District State Senator Tom Brewer of Gordon, a member of the Oglala Lakota tribe and the first Native American elected to the Nebraska Legislature, the Grand Marshal.
Brewer is a retired Colonel in the U-S Army Rangers who spent 36 years in the military. He’s also a decorated combat veteran who was wounded multiple times on multiple deployments to Afghanistan.
     Crawford Chamber of Commerce spokeswoman Jody Bass says those wanting to be in the parade simply need to be on the south end of 2nd Street around 9:00.
Bass says parade units wanting to be judged need to show up a little earlier.
KCSR will once again have a live broadcast of the Crawford 4th of July Parade.
      Bass says the Crawford Chamber is excited to bring back, after a few years of absence, post-parade activities from noon-to-4:00 in City Park.
Judging of the ribs is scheduled for 2:30 with KCSR/KBPY/Chadrad Communications’ own Jeremy Anderson one of the judges. Unfortunately for everyone else, only the judges will be able to enjoy the ribs this year.
     Bass says the Red, White, and Beef Ribs Cook-Off is one of several competitions planned that might be considered a bit-out-of-the-ordinaryÂ
The volleyball tournament begins at noon with the Turtle Races set for 1:00, followed by Tin Can Baseball.
The 50th Anniversary Western Wildlife Art Show and Sale wraps up today in the old Veterinary Hospital at Fort Robinson State Park with some 20 local-regional-and nationally recognized artists on hand with works in a variety of media.
Admission to the Art Show and Sale is free, but since it’s at Fort Robinson a state park entry permit is required.
Wrapping up the Crawford celebration is the second and final night of the Old West Trail PRCA Rodeo, the only one on the 4th of July in Nebraska that features the professional cowboys of the PRCA.
    The action begins at 8:00, but Bass – who is a member of the Old West Trail board – hopes fans set aside a little time to stop by the Chadron Motors booth.
As always, concluding everything is the Mr Fireworks Free Fantastic Fireworks Display – the start of which Bass says often catches rodeo goers unprepared.
Donations for Mr Fireworks can be made at the rodeo ticket both tonight or in the coming days at Security First Bank, Perk Up Java Shop, or Beef State Agency – all in Crawford.