Festival Schedule 

2:00 pm: Festival Opens, Soccer Tournament Begins
2:00 – 5:00 pm: Chautauqua Performances featuring local historic dignitaries
2:00 – 8:00 pm: Exhibits open, Timeline activity in Railroad Town, Partner Booths & Vendors in the Arbor, Kids Activities
3:00 – 10:00 pm: Cultural Performances & Live Music
10:00 pm: Community fireworks show presented by the Grand Island Fireworks Celebration (free admission for the fireworks show begins at 8 pm!)

Festival Admission: $2.50 per person ages 5 & up; Free for Stuhr Museum and Hastings Museum members
Free admission to the fireworks show begins at 8 pm!

Thank you to Grand Island Tourism for their generous support of this event!

BE A PART OF THE HISTORIC CELEBRATION!

We are currently accepting applications for performers and demonstrators, nonprofit community tables, and food and craft vendors. Additional information for vendors and other participants can be found below.

Vendor / Performer / Community Participant Application

FOOD VENDORS

• Potential food vendors must submit an application to be considered for selection.
• Selected food vendors must return a completed contract and a $100 food vendor fee by June 15, 2026.
• All operating equipment and needs will be supplied by food vendor.
• A valid food license from the Health Department must be available during hours of operation.
• Electrical hookups are NOT available for food vendors. You must bring your own generator if needed.
• Running water is not available for food vendors.
• Food vendors must take care of their own trash at the end of the day.

Craft/Artisan VENDORS

• Potential craft/artisan vendors must submit an application to be considered for selection. 
• Selected craft/artisan vendors must return a completed contract and a $50 craft/artisan vendor fee by June 15, 2026.
• Craft/artisan vendors will be located outside.
• All operating needs must be provided by the craft/artisan vendor (includes tables/displays, chairs, and a pop-up tent/canopy if desired).

Community Table

• Potential community table applications must be submitted to be considered for selection.
• Community tables may be informational, include an interactive activity, educational exhibit, or provide other resources for the community. Please include some information about how your organization intends to use their table.
• Community tables will be located outside.
• Community partners will need to provide their own tables, chairs, and a pop-up tent/canopy if desired.

Performers/Demonstrators

• Potential performers/demonstrators must submit an application to be considered for selection.
• Please describe your performance or demonstration using the questions on the application. Include any sort of cultural, historical, or local themes that will help explain why your performance or demonstration would be valuable to this event.
• Include technical needs for your performance or demonstration so that we can ensure the stage, audio, etc. that are available during this event is appropriate for your needs.

OTHER

• Do you have an idea to participate on July 4, 2026 that we haven’t covered above? Submit a proposal using the “Other” category! We will contact you for more information if needed.
• Potential other participants must submit an application to be considered for selection.