New, special events are helping keep Heritage Days fresh

A celebration like Heritage Days is always a balancing act between carrying on cherished traditions and keeping the festivities fresh.

Congratulations to the McCook Area of Chamber of Commerce and the thousands of other volunteers who accomplished those two goals this weekend.

Mother Nature deserves her due, of course, providing beautiful weather and a much-welcome respite from the hot temperatures we experienced in recent weeks.

Associate Editor Dawn Cribbs agreed the weather was "absolutely glorious," enjoyed the talented musicians in the park and attended tea at the Norris House. Unfortunately, so did a honey bee, who expressed his displeasure at being disturbed by stinging Ellie Norris (portrayed by Dawna Bates) just before she spoke.

City Editor Bruce Baker and his son and daughter joined the crowd at the increasingly popular McCook Events Center venue for an entertaining and inspirational performance by the Harlem Ambassadors.

The team, comprised of drug-free, college educated athletes, handed local challengers a 20-point loss, but added a great message to this year's celebration.

Production Manager Lloyd Shields said one of the food vendors at Norris Park said it was one of their best weekends ever, speculating that it was a good weekend for farmers, many of whom are done planting wheat but have yet to start cutting corn.

Regional Editor Connie Jo Discoe was busy taking class reunions -- '53, '63, '73, '53, and '58, at least -- and said she enjoyed Sunday night's clean-up demo derby -- one "race" lasted at least 20-25 minutes, she estimated.

We hope to hear more from the "Last Ditch Polka Band" -- what could be more appropriate for a celebration that started out as "German Heritage Days?"

And, not all of the attractions have closed. The Red Willow County Ministerial Association is host to "The Tabernacle Experience" through Sunday, just south of Community Hospital. We heard the display, a life-sized reproduction of the worship center that accompanied the people of Israel through the desert, attracted attendees from as far as Chicago and Wichita, strictly to visit the display.

Reservations are encourage; to make one, visit http://bit.ly/1hf6zV8