Special events add extra spice to Heritage Days

Heritage Days is always a highlight of the year in McCook, but organizers have outdone themselves to make sure this year’s, Birthday Bash, for both the town and the state, is something special.

Besides the “usual” events, which are always fun, a number of special activities deserve our attention.

That includes the Adam White Magic Show at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Fox Theater, with MHS Thespians providing an opening act.

The Family Fun Fifth Quarter is at the YMCA this year, 6 to 10 p.m. Friday with a bouncy house, bingo, cakewalk, open swim and many other activities.

The Third Annual Dixie Geihsler Memorial co-ed adult and child 2 on 2 basketball tournament and Shooting Stars competition is at the McCook High School Gym starting at 1 p.m. Saturday, with all proceeds to the McCook TeamMates program.

The Red Willow Western Rural Fire Department invites everyone to help celebrate its 40th birthday, 4 p.m. Saturday at the fire barn, on South River Road just beyond the Federal Avenue railroad overpass. It will include a smoke-off, kids games and more.

Eagles fans will enjoy the Hotel California Concert for Healthcare at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Fox, with proceeds to the Community Hospital Health Foundation.

Save your ticket stub and get free admission to the Chamber of Commerce street dance, with DJ Express, starting at 8 p.m. at Norris and D. Admission is $5 otherwise.

Newcomers and longtimers as well will have a chance to learn about McCook’s heritage Sunday afternoon with a new event, the Cemetery Tour, from 2 to 4 p.m. Live actors will portray notable citizens from McCook’s past at Memorial Park and Riverview cemeteries.

But those are only the new or unusual events that caught our eye from this week’s Heritage Days schedule.

We know you’ll want to take in the chamber mixer from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at McCook National Bank, 220 Norris Ave., where honorees will be announced; and the George Norris Prayer Breakfast with speaker Andy Long, vice president in charge of McCook Community College, 7 a.m. Friday at McCook Christian Church, 507 West B.

Saturday is jam-packed with activities, of course, starting with the 5K Run/Walk at 7:30 p.m., the Birthday Bash parade at 10 a.m., and activities all day downtown and at Norris Park.

McCook Church of Christ will conduct Heritage Sunday Worship in Norris Park at 10 a.m., and Norris Park Bandshell entertainment is scheduled until 4 p.m. Bob Jones will conduct antique appraisals at the High Plains Museum from 1:30 to 4 p.m., $2 for each appraisal.

You might want to dig out your umbrella and raincoat, since there is a good chance of rain this weekend, but considering the paucity of rain in recent months, few of us will complain.

If it does rain, that will be just one more thing to celebrate.