No slowing down as fall season arrives

Following all the fairs and Fourth of July celebrations during the summer months, you would think that the communities of Southwest Nebraska and Northwest Kansas would be ready to kick back and relax.

No way. In fact, the way things are going, September is going to be just as busy a time for celebrations as were July and August.

Starting this weekend with gala events in Benkelman and Wellfleet, the Golden Plains will be embarking upon a series of fall festivals which will extend into early October.

Following in rapid-fire order will be celebrations in Beaver City and Curtis on Saturday, Sept. 18; a Eustis bluegrass festival Sept. 18-19; Hayes Center, McCook and Stratton on Saturday, Sept. 25; and Oberlin on Saturday, Oct. 2.

In a movement which started 20 years ago, the communities in the plains discovered that the invigorating days of September were an excellent time to congregate and celebrate. Between the hot days of summer and the icy cold days of winter, the town and country folks found they enjoyed getting together for a fall fling.

Take, for example, the events which will be unfolding this coming Saturday. At the Benkelman Fall Festival, a series of activities will take place, starting with a citywide garage sale at 8 a.m. and concluding with a dance at Beth's Bar & Grill from 9 p.m. until the wee hours of the night. Other highlights will be the Masons' third annual Car Show, a Health Fair, carnival rides, horseshoe pitching and a "cleanup" Demo Derby.

Also on 9-11, residents of Wellfleet will continue the tradition of being the only village in Nebraska to have horse races down Main Street. The races will follow the parade, which this year has as its theme: "9-11. Remember When? We Do!" Wellfleet's special day will also feature Kids Stuff events for children, as well as barrel racing, a Craft and Quilt Show and Grain, Vegetable and Flower Show. Another featured event will be the Poker Run Trail Ride for horses and wagons only, beginning at 4 p.m.

And that's just a start. In the weekends to come, each of the celebrating communities will be having special activities, including parades, craft fairs, team penning events, free barbecues, melodramas, Kiddie Fun and historical reenactments.

You can feel it in the fresh, fall air. It's a festive time ... a time for having fun with friends and neighbors. Avail yourself of the opportunity. Join in celebrating the good life in the Golden Plains at the area festivals.