NORTH PLATTE, Neb.-In true Nebraska fashion, the Nebraskaland Days (NLD) Board of Directors gave it their all to bring the statewide celebration that is a staple of North Platte to life, in some form.
But, in the end, the novel coronavirus and the fear and uncertainty that comes with it won.
It all began on Thursday when the West Central District Health Department increased the community threat level of exposure to COVID-19 to Orange, or Elevated, after over 20 cases of the virus were confirmed in Lincoln County.
Night one of the Buffalo Bill Rodeo went down on Wednesday without a hitch and it seemed that we were going to be treated to an amazing Rodeo and NLD celebration.
However, with the increased level of threat issued by WCDHD, the NLD Board of Directors determined that the Buffalo Bill PRCA Rodeo should proceed without spectators. The rodeo can be streamed on the Cowboy Channel's app.
From there, it was a domino effect as organizers announced the cancelation of the Viaero Summer Jam Concert Series, Lunch with the Wild Bunch, the Jaycees Flapjack Feed, and more.
On Friday, the NLD Board determined that all remaining events of the celebration, which was rescheduled from June, should be canceled, including the extremely popular Nebraskaland Days on Parade.
The one exception is the NLD Tennis Tournament which is proceeding under the direction of the North Platte Tennis Association, according to NLD Executive Director David Fudge.
"All of our team thought we would get this in about 30 days ago," said Fudge. "But given the events of the past 10 days, it became clear that continuing would have been foolish."
Plans for the 2021 celebration are already underway.