'Heartland of America' schedule announced

Heartland of America -- McCook is the theme for this year's Heritage Days Celebration.

Organizers are especially pleased with the first Cowboy Poets Jamboree, B-29 and B-24 visit and other new events, according to the McCook Area Chamber of Commerce.

Highlights of the schedule include:

Wednesday, Sept. 25

9 a.m. -6 p.m. -- B-29/B-24 tours at the McCook airport.

5:30 p.m. -- mixer at McCook National Bank. Presentations of the Honor Family, Royalty, Grand Marshall, Parade Marshall, and the tennis ball auction for the dunk tank.

Friday, Sept. 27

7 a.m. Norris Foundation Prayer Breakfast, Memorial Auditorium. Daniel Stramel, master of ceremonies; Sam Williams, speaker.

9 a.m. 6 p.m. -- Bomber tours, McCook airport.

9:30 a.m. -- Norris House Pre World War II Quilt Display, 9:30 a.m.-noon, 1-5 p.m.

10 a.m.-2 p.m. -- Army Air Base Reunion Registration, High Plains Museum, Norris Avenue.

10 a.m. -- Heritage Senior Fun Day, Norris Park. Entertainment, free coffee and coffee cake.

Noon -- Heritage Senior Center, call 345-1760 for reservations to the first 175 people registered. $2.25 for 60 and older, $4 under 60.

12:30 p.m. -- Cookies and ice cream, McCook National Bank/Heritage Senior Center.

1 p.m. -- free bingo, prizes, Wells Fargo.

7:30 p.m. -- Cowboy Poets Jamboree. Fox Theatre, music and poetry. Tickets $5 adults, $2 child (12 and under). Tickets available at the Chamber of Commerce and at the door.

Saturday, Sept. 28

7:15 a.m. -- 5K/1 mile/Fun Run, registration.

8 a.m. -- Race starts

9 a.m. -- Craft Fair Opens, Norris Park

9 a.m. 6 p.m. -- Bomber tours, McCook airport.

9:15 a.m. Veteran's Memorial Service, flag pole, Norris and E Streets.

9:30 a.m. -- Norris House Pre World War II Quilt Display, 9:30 a.m. noon, 1-5 p.m.

9:30 a.m. HERITAGE DAYS PARADE

11 a.m. -- Lunch. Methodist ladies begin serving at the Methodist Church Basement until 1:30 p.m. Ethnic dishes and homemade pies, Norris and E Streets.

12:30 p.m. -- Volleyball tourney, registration, Barnett Park.

Noon-4 p.m. -- Norris Park Band Shell Entertainment. Noon, Ahsley Wood; 12:15 p.m., Marnee Roundtree; 12:30 p.m., Lonnie Wyeneth, John and Angie Reiners, 12:30 p.m.; 1:30 p.m., parade awards; 2 p.m., Tennis Ball Dunk; 2:45 p.m., Micaela Ruble; 3:30 p.m., Joan Parsons; 4 p.m., Robins School of Dance.

1-2 p.m. -- Minnow Race, Norris Park, Free!

1 p.m. -- Poetry and songs, Bieroc Café.

1-4 p.m. -- Army Air Base Open House and Display.

11 a.m. - 6 p.m. -- Ice cream social, Chamber of Commerce, Norris Park.

2 p.m. -- MCC Band Day Field Competition, Weiland Field.

2:30 to 4 p.m. -- recreational swim at YMCA, no charge.

4 to 6 p.m. -- Nelson Home Dedication.

6 p.m. -- Craft Fair Classes.

7 p.m. -- Prairie Statesmen Chorus, Fox Theatre.

Sunday, Sept. 29

7:30-9:30 a.m. -- Pancake breakfast, Norris Park, $2 per plate.

9 a.m.-6 p.m. -- Bomber tours, McCook airport.

10 a.m. -- Heritage Days Sunday Worship, Norris Park, Pastor Bruce Lester, Evangelical Free Church.

11 a.m. -- Craft fair opens, Norris Park.

Noon-2:30 p.m. -- Norris Park Band Shell Entertainment, noon, Brendon Funk; 12:30 p.m., E-Free Church/directed by Christy Stevens; 1:30 p.m., Get Right or Get Left; 2:30 p.m., the Maverick Bank.

11 a.m.-4 p.m. -- ice cream social, Chamber of Commerce, Norris Park.

1 to 4 p.m., Army Air Base Open House and Display.

2:30-4:30 p.m. -- recreational swim at YMCA, no charge.

3 p.m. -- team penning, fairgrounds.

4 p.m. -- craft fair classes.

Organizers request no skateboards, bicycles, rollerblades or scooters in Norris Park.