Weatherman, volunteers, Oktoberfest theme make for memorable Heritage Days

McCOOK, Neb. — McCook’s Heritage Days celebration proved to be a massive success, according to Chamber of Commerce Director Sarah Schneider.

Reflecting on the event, Schneider expressed her gratitude for the hard work and dedication that brought the weekend to life.

“It was amazing to see all that hard work since January just take place. I have so many people to thank and a great team that worked with me,” she said.

Despite concerns earlier in the week about weather forecasts, Saturday went smoothly. “The forecast changed, and the rain didn’t come until Sunday morning. Everything went off without a hitch,” Schneider noted, pleased that the community could enjoy the festivities under clear skies.

Vendors were particularly enthusiastic about the turnout. Schneider remarked on the atmosphere after walking through the park following the wiener dog races.

“Everywhere around the park, from the popcorn to the tacos, they were just cleaned out,” she said. The success prompted early plans for next year’s event, set for Sept. 20, 2025.

Class reunions from 1964, 1974, 1984, 1994 and 2004 were also a highlight of the weekend, with many attendees bouncing between their gatherings and the festival.

The Oktoberfest polka band, originally scheduled for Missouri next year, is already hoping to return to McCook.

“They had so much fun and loved the venue,” Schneider added.

The Heritage Days parade saw over 85 entries, and the crowd turnout was impressive. “It was fantastic to see the community rally behind Heritage Days,” Schneider said.

Looking ahead, the Chamber is gearing up for the holiday season with events including a light parade on Dec. 7 and a screening of The Polar Express at the Fox Theater on Dec. 15.

“My goal as director is to keep building the Chamber and these events,” she emphasized, acknowledging the support from Chamber members, sponsors, and volunteers.

One standout feature of the weekend was the first annual wiener dog race, which drew a large, enthusiastic crowd.

“It was a lot of fun. We’ll definitely be bringing it back next year,” Schneider confirmed, adding that the city manager has agreed to bring bleachers for future races.

Schneider closed by praising the spirit of the McCook community. “This just shows, if we work together as a community, great things can happen,” she said.

While this year’s Heritage Days will be hard to top, Schneider is already planning for next year, ensuring the momentum continues.