NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (Aug. 1, 2025) — Visit North Platte has awarded more than $6,200 in promotional grants to support three local events aimed at attracting visitors and boosting the local economy.
The Visit North Platte Board of Directors approved the funding during its monthly meeting on July 30. A total of $6,245 was awarded, exceeding the $5,745 in submitted requests. The grants are funded through lodging taxes collected from overnight stays at hotels and other accommodations in Lincoln County.
Grant recipients include:
- Miss Rodeo Nebraska received $1,750 to support current titleholder Danielle Forster as she promotes North Platte while traveling to national rodeo events, including Miss Rodeo America in Las Vegas later this year. The Miss Rodeo Nebraska Pageant has been a NEBRASKAland Days tradition in North Platte for 34 years.
- North Platte Area Children’s Museum was awarded $1,195 for marketing its fourth annual Playdate of Terror haunted house. The event, recommended for ages 12 and up, will run Oct. 15–18 and aims to draw a wider audience this fall.
- Midwest Championship Fighting received $3,300 for its Salute to Veterans event scheduled for Nov. 8 at the D&N Event Center. The event, now in its fifth year, will feature professional and amateur mixed martial arts bouts and honor veterans in attendance.
The next grant application deadline is Oct. 1 for events scheduled in January, February or March of 2026. Applications will be reviewed during the board’s Oct. 22 meeting. Event organizers are encouraged to contact Visit North Platte at (308) 532-4729 to discuss eligibility and guidelines.
Visit North Platte operates under an agreement with the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners and is funded entirely by local lodging taxes. These funds are used to market the region and support tourism-related events that contribute to the area's economic vitality.