Chadron State Park Centennial Celebration Begins Friday

       This is the calm, of sorts, before the storm as Chadron State Park gets ready to celebrate both days of its 100th anniversary of becoming Nebraska’s first state park.

The two-day celebration is also the official kickoff of centennial events for the entire Nebraska State Park System.

KCSR will be broadcasting live from the park for a total of 10 hours tomorrow night and Saturday

        Chadron State Park has marked its birthday annually for many years, but assistant superintendent Josh May says that just wasn’t enough for the centennial bash.

Parking will be in the Cabin Loop with the trams/shuttles picking up and dropping off

     The formal ceremony is Saturday morning at 11:00 on the park’s sports field with Game and Parks Director Jim Douglas, Lt Gov Mike Foley, and 3rd District Congressman Adrian Smith among the speakers.

       Many of the other activities both days will be on the sports field as well, including concerts and laser light shows both nights. May recommends bringing your own chair to be on the safe side of having a seat.

Friday, June 11

5 p.m.: Food vendors open at the sports field.

6 p.m.: Beer garden opens at the sports field.

7 p.m.: Live music by The Bar Flies at the sports field.

10 p.m.: Laser light show at the sports field.

Saturday, June 12

8 a.m.: Run for the Hills, 1-Mile, 5k, 10k beginning at Overlook Road. Register at pineridgetrailsraceseries.com.

9 a.m.: Paddleboat and kayak rides at the lagoon; Dutch-oven demonstration and natural activities at the main picnic area; fisheries shock boat, trailer and touch tank at the lagoon; historical plaque dedication at the main office.

10 a.m.: Naturalist and raptor recovery displays at the lagoon parking lot; car, truck and motorcycle show behind the main office; stagecoach rides at the stables; bounce house at the picnic area; wildlife display at the picnic area; history and poaching trailer displays at the Trading Post; and Chadron State Park Shooting Complex Ribbon Cutting, which will be followed by free pellet gun and archery shooting until 4 p.m.

10:30 a.m.: Moment in Time group photo at the sports field, open to all. Those who participate in the group photo and stay for the 11 a.m. celebration will receive a 100th Anniversary commemorative souvenir and shooting range token.

11 a.m.: Welcome to the 100th Anniversary Celebration at the sports field; food vendors open.

Noon: Blacksmith demonstration at the picnic area; raptor recovery display at the lagoon parking lot; bison sloppy joes at the Trading Post.

1 p.m.: Dutch-oven demonstration and natural activities at the main picnic area.

1:30 p.m.: Car, truck and motorcycle show award ceremony behind the main office.

2 p.m.: Raptor recovery display at the lagoon parking lot; regatta registration at the lagoon.

2:30 p.m.: Regatta Race at the lagoon.

3:00 p.m.: Dutch-oven demonstration and natural activities at the main picnic area.

5 p.m.: Treasure Dive at the pool; food vendors and beer garden open at the sports field.

7 p.m.: Live music by Twin River Band at the sports field.

10 p.m.: Laser light show at the sports field.Share