(North Platte, Nebraska, January 28, 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, for these events. 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 April 23rd, 2025, for the following. The applications totaled $94,227.98 in requests and a total of $67,247.98 was awarded.
- Approved $8,500 in Grant Funds for the Canteen Cruise Fest. The Canteen Cruise Fest is a new three-day celebration that offers not only a car show and cruise, but also freestyle motorcyclists, a tractor pull, a poker ride, rockabilly contest, giveaways, pancake feed, DJ’s, live music, and appearances from celebrities like Joe and Amanda Martin from Iron Resurrection who will be attending the 2025 event. This event is scheduled for August 1st through the 3rd and will bring car enthusiasts to our area while also providing a weekend of fun for locals.
- Approved $1,500 in Grant Funds for the Nebraska State Horseshoe Tournament. The Nebraska State Horseshoe Tournament is an annual event that unites players from across the state, rotating between eastern, central, and western regions. Participants range from seasoned competitors to newcomers, all sharing a passion for the sport. The competition will take place at Cody Park on August 30th-31st.
- Approved $16,500 in Grant Funds North Platte Rail Days. This event is scheduled for August 4-6 and is a celebration of all things railroad. During the three days many events will be held at the Golden Spike Tower and throughout the community for rail enthusiasts and families. This is also the only time during the year that tours of Union Pacific’s Bailey Yard are available. Previously, the event has drawn thousands of visitors from different states and countries.
- Approved $875.98 in Grant Funds for the Fall Junior College Softball Tournament. North Platte is set to host this tournament from September 26th–28th, bringing 16 junior college teams from outside the area. With over 430 athletes, coaches, and their families and friends attending, the event will boost the local economy as visitors stay in hotels, dine at restaurants, and shop at businesses throughout the community. A total of 32 games will be played during this event at the Dowhower Softball Complex.
- Approved $10,350 in Grant Funding for the North Platte Pow Wow. The North Platte Pow Wow is a cultural dancing and singing celebration featuring Native American participants. Along with the Pow Wow, this event includes a PTSD Awareness Walk, a tipi raising, a tribute to our veterans, a Quilts of Valor presentation, a parade, a basketball tournament, and more. This event will take place on July 18th through the 20th and will primarily be at Buffalo Bill State Historical Park. Annually, 650-1,000 attendees and participants come to the North Platte Pow Wow. 95% of the participants are from out of state and well over half of the spectators are from outside of North Platte. Attendees and participants have grown to enjoy the North Platte Pow Wow over the past five years and the numbers are expected to grow again for the sixth annual showcase.
- Approved $5,000 in Grant Funds for the Western Nebraska Craft Beer Festival & the Boots N’ Beef Music Festival. The 7th annual Western Nebraska Craft Beer Festival will be held at Pals Brewing Company on August 1st. Attendees will sample beer, wine, and spirits from breweries around Nebraska. On the following day, August 2nd, Pals will host the 2nd annual Boots N’ Beef Music Festival. This event will feature live music acts along with a vendor booth area and outdoor games. They plan to highlight Nebraska beef in their food offerings for the festival. Both events increase craft beer awareness in the western portion of the state and bring visitors to North Platte for the weekend.
- Approved $5,000 in Grant Funds to the Lincoln County Ag Society for their concert during the Lincoln County Fair. Gary Allan will be performing live at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds on July 25th. Allan is an American country music singer known for his raspy voice, emotional storytelling, and blend of traditional and modern country sounds. He’s released multiple chart-topping albums and hits like “Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain)” and “Man to Man.” This show will be fun for music lovers of all ages and will bring more attendees to the county fair.
- Approved $5,450 in Grant Funds for Viva North Platte. Now in its third year, this Hispanic cultural celebration will again educate on the history and celebrate the traditions of the Hispanic culture. This year it will feature the Midwest Youth Mariachi Competition with Mariachi groups from Nebraska and Colorado going head to head, the Queen & Princess Coronation, craft and food vendors, a car show, a live band, and a soccer game for ages 15+. This event will help welcome newcomers by providing a space where their traditions are celebrated as well as educating existing community members and bringing in visitors and guests. Viva North Platte will be held at the D&N Event Center on September 13th.
- Approved $4,175 in Grant Funds for the Buffalo Bill Boxing Brawl. This USA Boxing National Open Tournament is open to all ages and weight divisions and is designed to provide all amateur boxers with a platform where they can show off their talents. This will be the 6th year that this event has been held in North Platte, and it is expected to bring up to 100 participants in 2025. This event is scheduled for August 1st-3rd.
- Approved $5,597 in Grant Funds to the Lincoln County Historical Museum. The Lincoln County Historical Museum is truly a local treasure, proven by the fact that visitation has grown under the curatorship of Jim Griffin. Promoting the museum is pivotal to its continued success. The museum will be open from May 1st to September 30th and will also host the annual Heritage Festival on June 14th and 15th, Buffalo Burger Feed on July 19th, Old Fashioned Corn Feed on August 2nd, Pancake Breakfast on September 27th, and Christmas Village during the month of December.
- Approved $2,000 in Grant Funds to Music on the Bricks. Music on the Bricks has become a North Platte staple since it began in 2017. The event not only showcases the beautiful downtown Canteen District but also highlights area talent by giving them a chance to perform for a large crowd. There are also vendors, food, and kids’ activities which make it a great time for the entire family. The summer Music on the Bricks event will be held August 8th and 9th.
- Approved $800 in Grant Funds to the Lincoln County High School Rodeo. The Lincoln County High School Rodeo is held annually at the Wild West Arena. High school contestants from across the state compete in fourteen events to earn points that qualify them for State and National Finals Rodeos. Contestants and their families travel to North Platte from across the state of Nebraska with some even coming from Colorado and Wyoming. This year’s rodeo will be on September 14th.
- Approved $1,000 in Grant Funds to Brady Days. The Village of Brady will hold their annual celebration August 1st through the 3rd. It will include a parade, BBQ, volleyball, basketball, softball, and cornhole tournaments, turtle races, a car show, and family night. Many alumni return with their families or bring friends to our area to enjoy the festivities.
- Approved $500 in Grant Funds to the Sutherland Rodeo. The Sutherland fourth of July celebration and rodeo starts on July 2nd and runs through July 4th. It includes rodeo slack, an all-girls roping competition, two rodeo performances, and a Jr. Rodeo Queen contest. Year after year the Sutherland Rodeo continues to provide family entertainment for locals
and visitors alike.
The next round of funding is now open, with a July 1st deadline for events or projects occurring in October, November, and December of 2025. These applications will be considered at the regular monthly Board of Directors meeting scheduled for July 23, 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.
