Trenton gears up for Harvest Fest

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

TRENTON, Neb. -- The spark's never gone out, but a group of Trenton residents is fanning the flames with new energy and excitement for Trenton's annual celebration of the end of wheat harvest Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 1, 2 and 3.

Speaking for "Trenton Harvest Festival" organizers, Jessi Gestenslager and Linda Cook say organizers have come up with fresh ideas, renewed excitement and an expanded corps of volunteers to breath new life into the three-day celebration of summer.

Jessi said when planning started, anyone who came up with a new idea was then responsible for that event from beginning to end -- its planning, its volunteer staffing, its advertising, its follow-through. They've had good meetings, with up to 25 people, she said. Linda said, "Our committee has really come together on this. And we've had incredible responses from our local businesses and sponsors."

They've planned enough events to keep people busy from 5 p.m., Friday, through 9:30 a.m., Sunday.

Something new this year is the "Redneck Fashion Show" just before the start of the parade at 11 a.m., Saturday. And the prizes for the parade are bigger and better this year, Linda said. The parade theme is "You Might be a Redneck if ... " and the grand prize is $150. First place wins $100, and second $75. Call Linda, (308) 334-5316 to register.

Organizers have added extra money on the rough stock events during the NSRA rodeo at 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday.

Dances are planned Saturday, at 9 p.m. in the city park for the teens, and 9 p.m., on the Pow-Wow Grounds, with "Rewind," for the adults.

Organizers are excited about this year's harvest festival, the activities and the people involved. "We want more people involved, bigger crowds at everything," Linda said. "We all want to keep the festival going ... for our kids," Jessi said. "We want to make it even better."

The Schedule:

FRIDAY

9 a.m.-5 p.m. -- Massacre Canyon Visitors Center open.

5 p.m. -- Cruise-In by the Lake. At Good Life Marina, south side of Swanson Reservoir.

7 p.m. -- NSRA rodeo, Riverside Arena; concession stand will be open.

SATURDAY

7 a.m. -- Fun Color Run; call Deb McCarter (308) 340-5867.

7-10 a.m. -- Lions Club breakfast behind the bank.

9 a.m.-5 p.m. -- Massacre Canyon Visitors Center open.

10 a.m. -- Face painting with Ginny Anderson of the Tattoo Shop, northeast side of main street; Farmers State Bank lobby open for free popcorn and cold drinks.

11 a.m. -- Redneck fashion show (contract Jess Gestenslager (308) 340-1728); parade, register with Linda Cook (308) 334-5316 or (308) 340-1983.

Noon -- Lunch served by Church of God; Southwest Public Power District bucket rides at the Pow Wow Grounds; motorcycle fun run starting in the City Park (contact Helena Janousek (308) 340-6291).

Noon-4 p.m. -- Hitchcock County Museum open.

1 p.m. -- Pie contest at the TCDC Building (call Sandy at (843) 441-0092); horseshoes at the Pow Wow Grounds (contact Jackie Drain (720) 272-5410); co-ed sand volleyball at Frank's.

1-4:30 p.m. -- Kids' games, dunk booth, bouncy house and water slide at the Pow Wow Grounds; free swimming at the city park.

2 p.m. -- Bingo at the TCDC Building (call Sandy at (843) 441-0092) or Linda Drain (308) 340-4738; cow patty bingo at the Pow Wow Grounds (tickets from Panhandlers Club members).

2:30 p.m. -- Redneck chore relay (call Linda Cook (308) 340-1983).

5 p.m. -- Free barbecue and watermelon at the Pow Wow Grounds; face painting.

7 p.m. -- NSRA rodeo, 6-12 years old $6, 12 years and up $8, 50-pound limit for mutton busting $5 per child; concession stand will be open.

9 p.m. -- Teen dance at the city park (for information, call Deb McCarter (308) 340-5867); dance with "Rewind" for adults on the Pow Wow Grounds.

SUNDAY

8-9 a.m. -- Registration for the two-person scramble golf tournament, shotgun starts at 9:30 a.m., $70 per team; to pre-register, contact Karen Keller (308) 340-9534; refreshments and dinner provided.