Heritage Days set next week

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook Area Chamber of Commerce is putting the final touches on plans for the 2013 Heritage Days celebration Sept. 25 to 29.

Festivities kick off Wednesday, Sept. 25 with the annual McCook National Bank mixer, where the honor family, royalty, grand marshal, and parade marshal will be announced. Using the theme, Octoberfest, the staff at the bank will be honoring the Heritage Days theme: "Celebrate Your Heritage" with its usual array of food and fun.

That mixer will be followed by another chamber mixer on Thursday, Sept. 26 at VK Electronics in their newly remodeled location at 606 West B Street. The grand re-opening event will give customers and friends an opportunity to see the latest line of audio, video, and furniture now available at VK's expanded location.

The George W. Norris Foundation will again sponsor a prayer breakfast at Heritage Senior Center on Friday, Sept. 27 at 7 a.m. Activities will continue at the senior center, as well as the Norris home, Museum of the High Plains and other locations throughout town.

Many traditional events like the Community Chest Road Race, United Methodist and Norris Park food offerings, craft show, parade, and entertainment in the park will be a highlight again this year. In addition, the Red Willow County Ministerial Association will be hosting "The Tabernacle Experience", a full-scale replica of The Tabernacle of the Wilderness south of McCook Community Hospital. That event opens on Friday, Sept. 27 and runs through Sunday, Oct. 6.

Also new this year is a Saturday night basketball competition between the McCook Area Hoopsters and the Harlem Ambassadors starting at 7 p.m. at the MCC Events Center. This family-friendly event will feature comedy, slam dunks and high-flying hoops. Ticket information is available by calling the chamber office.

In addition to planning Heritage Days activities, the chamber Board of Directors also chose the City of McCook as the 4th quarter honor business. "We are really appreciative of the city's annual contribution to our marketing fund," said Chamber Director Tacie Fawver.

The city has given the chamber $12,500 annually to help market events and those funds also helped to provide the electronic sign on Norris and B Street. A presentation ceremony will be planned for early October.