
(North Platte, Nebraska, August 1st, 2025) Local event organizers are dedicated to creating fun and exciting events in North Platte and Lincoln County that attract visitors and boost the economic vitality of our community. Visit North Platte’s Promotional Grant Awards are specifically designed to promote, encourage, and draw visitors to Lincoln County. The grant funds, as well as the marketing and operating expenses for Visit North Platte, are entirely funded by lodging taxes collected from overnight stays at lodging properties within the county.
The Visit North Platte Board of Directors approved grant funding at the monthly meeting on July 30th, 2025, for the following. The applications totaled $5,745 in requests and a total of $6,245 was awarded.
- Approved $1,750 in funding for the current Miss Rodeo Nebraska. The city of North Platte has hosted the Miss Rodeo Nebraska Pageant for 34 years. This event happens during NEBRASKAland Days each summer and offers a great deal of entertainment for locals, draws in contestants, and brings spectators to the city of North Platte. Supporting the current Miss Rodeo Nebraska Danielle Forster will help spread the word about North Platte as she attends nationwide events all year including Miss Rodeo America in Las Vegas November 30th-December 7th.
- Approved $1,195 in funding for the Playdate of Terror Haunted House at the North Platte Area Children’s Museum. Now in its fourth season, the North Platte Area Children’s Museum will utilize these funds to promote its haunted house to a larger audience. The attraction will offer four nights of scares to locals and visitors alike on October 15th-18th. And don’t let the location fool you- even though this spooky event is at the Children’s Museum it is only recommended for those ages 12+.
- Approved $3,300 in funding to the Midwest Championship Fighting Salute to Veterans event. MCF will have their Salute to Veterans event at the D&N Event Center on November 8th. This will be the fifth year of the Salute to Veterans event, 25th MCF event, and it will feature pro and amateur mixed martial arts fights and pay tribute to the veterans in attendance. Supporting this event helps to bring in higher level fighters, providing top-tier competition for visitors and locals alike, right here in North Platte.
The next round of funding is now open, with an October 1st deadline for events or projects occurring in January, February, and March of 2026. These applications will be considered at the regular monthly Board of Directors meeting scheduled for October 22nd, 2025. Anyone interested in submitting a grant application is encouraged to contact the Visitors Bureau at 308-532-4729 and discuss their project with a staff member.
Visit North Platte operates under an agreement with the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners to facilitate the Nebraska Visitors Development Act. Grant funds, marketing, and operating expenses for Visit North Platte are funded by lodging taxes collected and remitted by lodging properties from overnight stays in Lincoln County.
It is thanks to the efforts of the lodging property partners located within the county that funds are available to attract more visitors, which have a significant impact on the economic well-being of our Lincoln County communities.