Jesse James Festival Celebrates 50 Years
/This week the City of Kearney will once again kickoff the Jesse James Festival. This year celebrates 50 years of the event. Coordinators have been working hard to make this golden anniversary of the festival bigger and better than ever.
“I’m very pleased to be marking the 50th anniversary of the festival,” said Alderman Gerri Spencer. “It is so nice to be celebrating this milestone event in person.”
The festival is a two-weekend event, and there are activities for everyone to enjoy. The festival begins Friday night, September 10, with an all ages superhero dance from 6 – 9 pm at the Jesse James Park Pavilion.
On Saturday activities include the Bill James 5k/10k Classic Run at 8 am and the Demolition Derby & Power Wheels event beginning at 7:30 pm.
On Thursday, September 16, the carnival opens at the park. Carnival hours are 6 – 10 pm and entrance armbands are $20.
Friday, September 17 brings in the main festival and has biggest events and activities including the Thirty-Third Annual Jesse James Barbeque Cook-Out, Nicks Barnyard Petting Zoo, Magician Mike Winters, WoodChux hatchet throwing, and Tumbleweed Crossing Traveling Comedy Wild West Gunfight Show.
On Saturday, the annual Jesse James Festival Parade is the big event of the day. The parade begins at 10 am in downtown Kearney. Other events of the day include the carnival, rodeo, vendors, shows, games, and more at Jesse James Park.
On Sunday the festival is open all day with the carnival, vendors, shows, and more. For more information about the Jesse James Festival and a schedule of events go to jessejamesfestival.com.
“Join us at the Jesse James Festival Grounds to see not only everyone’s favorites, but also some wonderful new attractions like the Wild West Show,” said Spencer.
Kearney is the birthplace and boyhood home of Jesse James, as well as his final resting place. The city hosts this festival that brings a large collection of people from all walks of life together. Each year, during the 3rd weekend of September, the festival is in full swing at the Jesse James Park, just north of Kearney on Highway 33.
KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story
