David Fudge
NEBRASKAland DAYS
North Platte, Neb. - The official kickoff to the NEBRASKAland DAYS season starts this Friday with Brochure Day and the first Dress Western Friday of the year. Members of the NEBRASKAland DAYS Board of Directors will board the North Platte Ambassador Fire Truck and distribute brochures up and down the Jeffers/Dewey Street Corridor beginning at approximately 1 pm on Friday. In addition, residents are encouraged to wear at least 3 articles of western attire.
“Dress Western Fridays are one of our oldest traditions,” said Executive Director David Fudge. “We can trace its roots back to the original Celebrations held in North Platte. These days kind of start our final countdown into the festival.”
Gone are the days of throwing those who dared to violate the western wear edict into horse tanks full of water. Other tactics have been used throughout the year to encourage participating, including everything from community service in jail attire to contests on social media. In anticipation of this year’s 60th anniversary Celebration, Fudge is hoping people have some fun with it. “All of our marketing is very retro this year. We pulled images out of some of our historic publications and used them again to mark this year’s anniversary. It’d be fun to see some retro western wear posted on social media,” said Fudge.
Dress Western Friday’s run every Friday from May 3 through the start of the festival on June 12th. Participants are encouraged to post photos of themselves and their organizations on their social media channels and tag NEBRASKAland DAYS.
This year’s 60th annual Celebration begins on June 12 and runs through the 22nd. Tickets and information are available at nebraskalanddays.com.