Jesse James Festival Returns for 53rd Year
/Next week, the annual Jesse James Festival returns to Kearney with new events and familiar favorites. This is the 53rd year for Kearney’s biggest event.
The two-weekend festival has several events and activities that every family member will enjoy. The festival begins Friday evening, September 13, when the carnival opens at Jesse James Park in Kearney.
On Saturday, September 14, activities include the Bill James 5k/10k Classic Run at 8 am and the Demolition Derby & Power Wheels event beginning at 7 pm.
On Thursday, September 20, the carnival opens again at the park. Carnival hours are 6 – 10 pm and entrance armbands are $25.
Friday brings in the main festival and has biggest events and activities including the thirty-sixth annual Jesse James Barbeque Cook-Out, free festival dance, and catfish tournament.
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, disc golf, axe throwing, petting zoo, large kite show, and more at Jesse James Park.
On Sunday the festival is open all day with the carnival, vendors, car and motorcycle shows, and more. For more information about the Jesse James Festival and a schedule of events go to jessejamesfestival.com.
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.
