Video >>> Hamburg Popcorn Days 2009 Highlights

Video>>> Highlights of the Nebraska City Applejack Festival.

   With a bountiful apple harvest this year, plenty of the fruit will be available  this weekend for AppleJack festivities. U-pick, along with many other activities, is offered at Arbor Day Farm and Kimmel Orchard. Many activities are being held this weekend. Highlights include the parade Saturday, 1 p.m., and the Apple Jam carnival at the middle school, 909 First Corso, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. A Fine Art Show is at Arbor Lodge both days, a quilt show is at Bethel United Church of Christ, 2400 Central Ave. both days, and multiple craft shows are held. The car show is Sunday. See the special AppleJack section that was included in Monday’s Penny Press for a complete rundown of activities or visit www.NebraskaCity.com.

The Otoe County Visitors Committee discussed out-of-county advertising priorities at its meeting Sept. 16.

Committee advertising that is paid cooperatively with the Nebraska City Tourism and Commerce uses the “take your pick” advertising campaign.

Video >>> Nebraska City Tourism and Commerce reports that Saturday’s fair weather, lemonade stands and sidewalk-sale bargains sweetened the summer.

Hundreds of shoppers and lemonade tasters strolled down Central Avenue, where there were five lemonade stands and seven outdoor sidewalk sales.

NCTC Director Rebecca Turner said feedback from merchants has been positive.
“Businesses are enthusiastic about the ease of participation and the return on a modest investment,” she said.

Video >>> Lewis & Clark Reunion 2 was held at the Missouri River Basin Lewis & Clark Center, Nebraska City, to commemorate the date in 1804 when the expedition passed what is now Nebraska City.

Video >>> The annual Germanfest celebration in Syracuse hosted its hog calling contest on July 11, 2009.
Hog callers Ole Schauland of Syracuse and Andy Perry of Auburn tied for first in the adult competition. The kids class was won by Lily Kastens and Kirsten Schutz.

Joni Day, a Syracuse Community Memorial Hospital volunteer who helped organize the event, said contestants were judged by originality, vocal quality and pig appeal.

Video >>> Along with returning favorites such as parades, bed races, watermelon feed, street dance and much more, Germanfest goers enjoyed the Viener Dog Races, added to this year's lineup.

Nebraska City Tourism and Commerce is sponsoring a lemonade stand contest from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 1, as part of the lemon days sidewalk sales.

The sale, which officially runs from July 30 to Aug. 2, features a one-day special event on Saturday with NCTC’s shopping rewards program and cash rewards.

Video >>> America’s auto industry may be bogged down in the boardroom, but its engines were roaring July 4 at the 12th annual Otoe Mud Drags.

Over 70 entries featuring models from road-ready pickup trucks to home built super-modifieds descended into the mud before a crowd of 200.

The 2009 Syracuse Germanfest Friday-Sunday, July 10-12, is the silver anniversary of the start of the celebration of the Syracuse area’s German heritage.

The Nebraska City Jaycees' fireworks display is July 4 at Steinhart Park. (Interactive map inside)

Video >>> The 2009 Arbor Day parade featured 40 entries led by the American Legion color guard, Mayor Jack Hobbie, State Sen. Dave Pankonin and Arbor Day honorees Richard and Nancy Hoch.

The line-up also included the Sacred Buffalo Dance Troop and Drummers, Paws for a Cause walkers, Old School Drill Team and Nebraska City marching bands.

A variety of events were held over the weekend in the Nebraska City area, including Talmage Days and a Strawberry Festival at Kimmel Orchard.

The Nebraska City Jaycees’ annual fireworks show at Steinhart Park is scheduled for Independence Day on Saturday, July 4, with a rain date on Sunday, July 5.
The show will feature 6,717 shells and 25 ground displays.

American Legion baseball games with Nebraska City playing Auburn are scheduled at 1 and 3 p.m. The Southeast Community Band will play from 7 to 8 p.m. at the ice cream social set to start at 7:30 p.m.