Nebraska statehood birthday parties scheduled

Posted: 05 February, 2010

Some 3,300 elementary school students are expected to attend 10 Nebraska statehood birthday parties throughout the state from Feb. 22-26, according to Secretary of State John Gale. The free parties are sponsored by Gale, the NEBRASKAland Foundation, the Nebraska Humanities Council and We the People program of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The parties will be held in Omaha, Boys Town, Sidney, Scottsbluff, McCook, Kearney, Fremont, Seward, Columbus and Norfolk.

Participating students will enjoy musical entertainment, sing-alongs, people in historical costumes and a birthday treat, as well as getting an opportunity to showcase their knowledge of Nebraska history.

“The idea behind the parties is to provide fun in an educational setting,” Gale said. “We want the students to develop state pride and become good citizens.”

Gale is scheduled to attend all the parties, appearing in costume as the character “Cactus Jack.” Chris Sayre and David Seay will provide musical entertainment at the parties.

The parties are limited to classes that make reservations by Feb. 17. To make reservations, contact Sharon Hambek at sos.events@nebraska.gov or (402) 471-6044.

The parties will observe the 143rd anniversary of Nebraska becoming a state on March 1, 1867.

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Schedule of parties

Omaha: 9:30 a.m. Feb. 22, Durham Museum.

Boys Town: 1 p.m. Feb. 22, Boys Town Music Hall.

Sidney: 9:30 a.m. (MST) Feb. 23, Sidney High School gym.

Scottsbluff: 1:30 p.m. (MST) Feb. 23, Cougar Palace, Western Nebraska Community College.

McCook: 9:30 a.m. Feb. 24, True Hall Gym, McCook Community College.

Kearney: 1:30 p.m. Feb. 24, Fine Arts Recital Hall, University of Nebraska at Kearney.

Fremont: 9:30 a.m. Feb. 25, Event Center, Midland Lutheran College.

Seward: 1:30 p.m. Feb. 25, Health, Human Performance and Athletic Center, Concordia University.

Columbus: 9:30 a.m. Feb. 26, Physical Education Center, Central Community College.

Norfolk: 1:30 p.m. Feb. 26, Lifelong Learning Center, Northeast Community College.