(North Platte, Nebraska, February 4th, 2026) 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 January 28th, 2026, for the following. The applications totaled $69,565.59 in requests and a total of $49,019.59 was awarded.
Approved $6,200 in funding to the North Platte Pickleball Club for their PFA Round Up Pickleball Tournament presented by World of Pickleball. This tournament will be returning to Cody Park June 11th-14th. As the sport of pickleball continues to grow in popularity, hosting tournaments like this gives our community the opportunity to draw in competitors from surrounding communities. With the North Platte Pickleball Club working alongside World of Pickleball this tournament should continue to grow from previous events and will also be a great opportunity to showcase our newly expanded and updated pickleball courts.
Approved $1,550 in funding to the D&N Event Center for their Breakthrough Basketball Camp. This 3day basketball camp is coming to North Platte May 26th-28th and is for 3rd-8th graders. Breakthrough Basketball hosts a range of camps throughout the country, but this is the only kind in our area for this age range. Due to the demand for elementary/junior high level basketball camps, it is expected to draw participants from the southwest side of Nebraska, the panhandle, and central Nebraska, plus South Dakota, Kansas, and Eastern Colorado.
Approved $3,550 in funding to Platte Valley Dogs for their American Stock Dog Registry Show. The American Stock Dog Registry (ASDR) hosts eight shows across the nation annually and will be bringing one to the D&N Event Center in North Platte on July 10th-12th. This will be the only ASDR Show in the state of Nebraska for 2026. This dog show is estimated to showcase 150+ dogs and will bring in dog enthusiasts as well. There will be vendors on site and spectators are welcome free of charge. All of the dogs competing will be herding breeds and the event will showcase their ability to work. The agility course trials will be on Friday. Conformation will be on Saturday and Sunday as well as a Junior Showmanship.
Approved $9,050 in funding to North Platte Express for their Swinging Salute Fastpitch Softball Tournament.
The North Platte Express Softball Team will host the tournament on May 22nd-24th at the Dowhower Softball Complex. This is a sanctioned USA fastpitch softball tournament for ages 10-18. The tournament is expected to bring in 15+ teams from surrounding communities and states. Continuing to host softball in North Platte keeps us on the map as a destination for future tournaments, gives visiting players and their families the chance to explore our city, and offers our residents the opportunity to enjoy watching the sport.
Approved $12,050 in funding to North Platte Express their Buffalo Bill Fastpitch Softball Tournament. This Buffalo Bill Fastpitch Softball Tournament is hosted by the North Platte Express Softball Team and is for ages all levels of fastpitch softball players ages 10-18. It is expected to bring in approximately 30 teams and will begin with pool play and continue with tournament play throughout the weekend of June 12th-14th at the Dowhower Softball Complex.
Approved $6,200 in funding to the Miss Nebraska Organization for the Miss Nebraska State Competition. The Miss Nebraska State Competition is one of North Platte’s signature events and their committee continues to provide Nebraska contestants with an exceptional experience and many scholarship opportunities. Miss Nebraska will host a plethora of events in North Platte June 1st-6th, with the final two days of the event featuring a fast-paced and entertaining show at the North Platte Highschool Auditorium. This year will be the 41st consecutive year that Miss Nebraska has been held in North Platte.
Approved $319.59 in funding to the North Platte Trails Network. The local trails network had been dedicated to developing an expansive trail network and fostering an active outdoor lifestyle throughout our community for years. These trails are used by locals and visitors alike. Many of those people, especially those from out of town, rely on the printed brochure that includes trail information and a map of the trails. Continuing to print these brochures will help spread the word and raise awareness of the trails so that they can be enjoyed by all.
Approved $10,100 in funding to Operation Christmas Card, Inc. to bring the Indian National Finals Rodeo to North Platte. The Indian National Finals Rodeo (INFR) is excited to bring one of their events to North Platte for the very first time. This stand-alone rough stock event will take place May 30th at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds. The rodeo will offer a family-friendly entertainment option for local residents while also attracting visitors from surrounding communities and neighboring states thanks to the INFR’s strong reputation and loyal following. Hosting this event also opens the door for North Platte to be considered for larger INFR events in the future.
The next round of funding is now open, with an April 1st deadline for events or projects occurring in July, August, and September of 2026. These applications will be considered at the regular monthly Board of Directors meeting scheduled for April 22nd, 2026. 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.
