Niobrara Strong Day celebrated in Lusk

Cassandra Matney
Posted 6/6/18

This unidentified Niobrara youth rides for the brand, but cautiously.

Photo/Lori Himes

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Niobrara Strong Day celebrated in Lusk

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Niobrara County citizens were out in full force supporting a day very much dedicated to the community: Niobrara Strong Day held on June 2. This year’s event marks the 3rd year of Niobrara Strong Day, a celebration that is quickly growing and becoming a celebration of not what happened to us with the flood of 2015, but instead how strong our community is today and the pride we have for it. Normally the occasion takes place on 3rd and Main, this year however festivities were moved to North Side Park where the ball fields were used to house various inflatable rides and a dunk tank. Per Niobrara Chamber Director Jackie Bredthauer, this year’s most popular attractions were the mechanical bull ride—with roughly a hundred riders— and the dunk tank. “Niobrara Strong day is a celebration to kick off the summer; a chance to relax and enjoy yourself before you get bogged down in summer events. It’s a celebration of the strength of our community not only from the flood but from all challenges we face on a daily basis.  We are fortunate to have great people in our community” states Bredthauer. While the event is primarily put on by the Chamber with the assistance of a recreation grant to help offset costs, it is also gaining quiet the backing from other community organizations, as Bredthauer explains, “We rely on many volunteers to set up, man the rides and clean up. This year we worked with town Recreation Director Shawn Leimser to include the dunk booth as a fundraiser for the youth baseball program and offering of a horseshoe tournament. The town also provides free swimming for the day.  Santa’s Helpers also provides concessions with some great, inexpensive food choices”. As funds become available, Bredthauer says the idea is for the day to continue to grow and incorporate new activities. 

While the initial start of Niobrara Strong Day may have been to celebrate our fortitude from the flood, today it has grown to mean even more for Niobrara County locals, including Bredthauer herself, “Niobrara Strong has a special meaning for me. My husband passed away in April of 2015 and working at the chamber was a blessing and a joy for me and when the flood happened so soon after, I was devastated and heartbroken.  However people came together and supported me and others during our times of need. God was looking after all of us with no lost lives from the flood and bringing the community together. Life is good”.