Last-minute Prairie Roots Festival preparations

From left, Matt Sehnert, Jared Muehlenkamp and Jamie Mockry spray paint disc golf boundaries in a Barnett Park field just south of the M-60 Tank and shelter house Thursday afternoon. The three-hole course will be among several activities coordinated during this weekend’s Prairie Roots Festival.

Bruce Baker/McCook Gazette

McCOOK, Neb. — The second annual Prairie Roots Festival is set for Saturday at Barnett Park in McCook and includes a myriad of activities, promising fun for all ages and an outdoor music scene unlike anything else in the area.

Activities kick off with registration for the 4v4 co-ed sand volleyball tournament at 1 p.m., with competition set to begin at 1:30 p.m. and a team entry fee of $40.

Food vendors and a beer garden are scheduled to begin serving at 4 p.m. and will initially be complemented by DJ music, followed by the much anticipated Hear Nebraska concert performances beginning at 5 p.m. and running until 9 p.m.

Activities include a 3-hole disc golf course, human foosball, tether ball and a blow-up obstacle course provided by the Nebraska National Guard. The National Wildlife & Turkey Federation is also coordinating an archery exhibit.

A local group working towards establishing a children’s museum in McCook is coordinating several fun activities which should serve as a small taste of what they hope to bring to the region in the future.

The beer garden features craft beers from McCook’s very own Loop Brewing Co., as well Kinkaider Brewing Co. of Broken Bow, which has ties to the Schmick’s Market family, and Thunderhead Brewing of Kearney. Pizza, pretzels, BBQ and of course, cotton candy, are among the planned food options for the festival.

Prairie Roots Festival Committee member Matt Sehnert voiced his appreciation for the Hear Nebraska group while prepping Barnett Park for the festival Thursday afternoon. He indicated the “Good Living Tour” shouldered much of the heavy lifting for the event by providing all of the musical setup, including lights, the stage, sound personnel and performance scheduling. Local sponsors also played a vital role, he added, including Community Hospital, the McCook Community Foundation Fund, Red Willow County Tourism, McCook National Bank, Acme Printing, Sehnert’s Bakery, St. Pat’s Youth Group, the Youth Change Reaction group, the McCook Area Chamber of Commerce, Loop Brewing Co., Garret Rippen with Edward Jones, the Prairie Roots Festival Committee and the McCook Area Chamber of Commerce, among others.