German Language Church Service | Evangelical Lutheran Church

In celebration of the arrival of the first settlers to the area on July 4, 1857, the Hall County Historical Society will host its annual German-language church service at the Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church on the grounds of Stuhr Museum prior to the festival opening. This special service honors the traditions, faith, and cultural heritage of the early immigrant communities that helped shape Hall County and Central Nebraska.

Festival Opening CeremonY | Railroad Town Band Stand

Join us as we kick off the United We Celebrate Festival! We’ll begin with the Presentation of the Colors by the United Veteran’s Club followed by a “mammoth” parade through the streets of Railroad Town, accompanied by the Silver Cornet Band. This opening celebration honors our nation’s past while commemorating America’s 250th anniversary. The ceremony concludes with the Retiring of the Colors.

PIE EATING CONTEST | Railroad Town Band Stand

What would an Independence Day celebration be without pie? Put your appetite to the test as contestants race to finish a delicious cherry pie in this classic patriotic competition. Thanks to Perkins Restaurant & Bakery for generously donating the pies. Whether you’re competing or cheering from the crowd, it’s sure to be a sweet part of the celebration!

Cultural Performances | Stuhr Stage

America’s story is enriched by the many cultures, traditions, and experiences that shape our communities. Enjoy a series of performances that celebrate the diversity of Grand Island and the people who help make our community strong. Performers include: the Sudanese Assimilation Group of Grand Island, the Filipino American Community of South-Central Nebraska, and Los Hermanos Esparza.

Hall County Chautauqua | Taylor House, Railroad Town

Experience history come to life through the Hall County Chautauqua, a special presentation inspired by the historic Chautauqua movement, which combined education, storytelling, music, and live performances to engage communities in learning and discussion.

This unique program will feature portrayals of eight notable individuals connected to Hall County’s past, sharing stories and perspectives from local history through first-person interpretation, plus a special appearance by President Theodore Roosevelt!

HALL COUNTY CHAUTAUQUA SCHEDULE
3:00-3:15 p.m. – Welcome to Chautauqua – President Theodore Roosevelt
3:15-3:45 p.m. – Mary Cather Wood and Fred Hedde
3:45-3:50 p.m. – Break
3:50-4:20 p.m. – O.A. Abbott and Evelyn Ryan
4:20-4:25 p.m. – Break
4:25-4:55 p.m. – Mertie Johnson and Leo Stuhr
4:55-5:00 p.m. – Break
5:00-5:30 p.m. – Grace Abbott and Joyce Hornady

JARANA | ARBOR Stage | South American Music

Lead musician Daniel Martinez formed Jarana in 2009 to bring versatility and creative energy to the music scene. Pronounced HAH-RAH-nah, the word “jarana” is both a noun and a verb, referring to a lively social gathering where people of all ages come together in a public space to enjoy food, games, music, and dancing. True to its name, Jarana is a dynamic band known for its energetic, danceable sound that blends South American and Mexican folk traditions with Latin dance rhythms and Mediterranean influences such as Flamenco, Rumba, and Salsa. The group features authentic, traditional instruments and is made up of talented musicians from Peru, Mexico, Cuba, and the United States.

GARAN COONS | STUHR Stage | Native American Dance and Music

Commemorative 250 Photo | West Side of Stuhr Building on the Lawn

Be a part of history! Join us on the Stuhr Building lawn as we come together to form “250” with our community. A drone will capture this one-of-a-kind photo from above to commemorate America’s 250th birthday celebration at the United We Celebrate Festival. Everyone is welcome – your presence makes the picture complete!

Mariachi Rey Azteca | Arbor Stage

Mariachi Rey Azteca was established in 2014 and is made up of talented musicians from diverse cultural backgrounds who share a deep passion for music and performance. By blending authentic mariachi traditions with fresh influences and modern creativity, Mariachi Rey Azteca delivers a unique musical experience that honors the rich heritage of mariachi while introducing exciting new sounds. Dedicated to excellence, professionalism, and cultural celebration, Mariachi Rey Azteca brings energy, emotion, and unforgettable entertainment to every event, creating lasting memories for audiences of all ages.

Kids’ Piñata Celebration  | Near the Arbor Stage

Join us for a festive piñata celebration following the Mariachi performance! Children are invited to gather near the stage for a chance to take part in this colorful tradition. A special thank you to La Mexicana for generously donating the piñatas for today’s celebration.

Leo Lonnie Orchestra Polka Band  | Stuhr Stage

The Leo Lonnie Orchestra from Brainard, NE are now in its 35th year!  The group started back in 1991 with their first dance job at the Oak Ballroom in Schuyler, NE.  The name Leo Lonnie comes from a father/son team.  Leo & Lonnie Piitz.  Leo Piitz on drums and Lonnie Piitz on lead saxophone/clarinet.  Lots of things have changed over the 35 years.  Leo played in the band for 18 years till he retired due to health reasons.  Then his passing in 2014. With changes in music arrangements and from changes in musicians over the years, Lonnie has been continuing these 35 years with the same principal since the beginning: provide top quality music for listening and dancing.  The Leo Lonnie Orchestra has several size groups to fit any needs.  The sounds of the Leo Lonnie groups are not just known to Nebraska, but to Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, South & North Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, & Ohio.  The Leo Lonnie groups vary from providing polka and waltz music to also big band music, too!  On the bigger groups, Lonnie’s two daughters, Suzie and Syliva, join the band to provide that professional sound.  The Leo Lonnie Groups are truly “A Musical Treat For Dancing Feet!

This performance is brought to you by the Grand Island Concert Association. Thank you for your support!

Anvil Firing Demonstration  | West side of the Arbor Discovery Zone

Anvil firing is a historic Fourth of July tradition dating back to the 1800s, when blacksmiths and communities used the loud blast as a patriotic celebration in place of fireworks or cannons. Longtime Stuhr Museum blacksmith Randy Dack made anvil firing a beloved part of the museum’s Independence Day festivities for many years, and during United We Celebrate, the Dack family will continue the tradition in his honor.

Killer Tofu | Arbor Stage

As the daytime festival transitions into the evening fireworks celebration, Killer Tofu will keep the energy going with live music beginning at 8:00 pm. The band will perform before the fireworks and return for a short set afterward, providing guests with their favorite 90s hits as they prepare to head back to their cars.

Killer Tofu. Bringing back the best of the 90s, from grunge to guilty pleasures, all over Omaha and the surrounding scene. Loud, nostalgic, and proof that the 90s never really left.

AWARDS & Drawings | Arbor Stage

We’ll take a short break during Killer Tofu’s performance to award soccer tournament awards and prizes for participation during the festival activities. Don’t worry, we won’t take too long so Killer Tofu can keep the party going!

Community Fireworks Show

Presented by the Grand Island Fireworks Celebration, the community fireworks show invites guests to take part in America’s birthday celebration, a moment 250 years in the making!

Gather in the field south of the Arbor Discovery Zone or anywhere you wish to watch the fireworks from, and join in the night’s finale. The show starts at 10:00 pm and will last approximately 23 minutes with some of the biggest booms in the recent history of the community fireworks display!

Following the fireworks, Killer Tofu will take to the stage again, keeping the energy going with a set of 90s favorites and nostalgic hits. Guests are welcome to stay for the music or take advantage of a chance to head back to the parking lot before the whole crowd heads that way.

Please follow the post-fireworks traffic flow to ensure a safe and efficient exit for all guests as they leave the museum grounds.

Send A Smile! Free Postcard Activity | Stuhr Building

Send someone a smile! Stop by the Stuhr Building and send your family and friends a complimentary postcard from the United We Celebrate Festival – for FREE! This activity is provided by Grand Island Tourism, today’s presenting sponsor.

Community Tables | Stuhr Building

Stop by the community tables to learn more about organizations and resources available in our community!

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 53 Grand Island
Visit the American Legion Auxiliary booth to learn about opportunities to get involved with a veteran service organization dedicated to honoring and assisting those who have served our country.

VFW Auxiliary Unit 1437
Visit the VFW Auxiliary booth to learn more about the organization’s mission and programs and receive a patriotic sticker!

Women’s History Walk | Stuhr Building

The Women’s History Walk is a collaborative exhibit presented by the Hall County Historical Society, Grand Island Public Library, and Stuhr Museum that celebrates Hall County women who have broken barriers, demonstrated leadership, overcome challenges, and made lasting contributions to the community. Through stories of achievement, service, and perseverance, the exhibit highlights the impact these women have had on Hall County and the generations that followed.

Pieces of Our Community Display | Stuhr Building

Pieces of Our Community is a collaborative art project created by Walnut Middle School’s D.C. Diplomats in partnership with Stuhr Museum as part of the United We Celebrate Festival and the commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary.

As students explored ways to represent the people and stories that shape Grand Island, they chose to create a giant collaborative puzzle collage. Each puzzle piece highlights a different country represented within Grand Island Public Schools and the broader Grand Island community. Working in pairs, students researched countries and created visual collages featuring culture, traditions, landmarks, food, wildlife, geography, and everyday life.

The countries represented in this project were selected using Grand Island Public Schools demographic data and reflect the many backgrounds represented by students and families throughout the district. Grand Island Public Schools serves nearly 10,000 students and includes families connected to dozens of countries and 42 spoken languages.

Approximately 47 Walnut Middle School D.C. Diplomats students researched and represented 25 countries from around the world. Individually, each piece tells a unique story. Together, they create a powerful reflection of the diversity, connections, and shared community that make Grand Island unique.

Thomas D. Mangelsen: A Life in the Wild | Stuhr Building

A Life in the Wild makes its final stop at Stuhr Museum after an extraordinary eight-year national museum tour.

Featuring 40 of Mangelsen’s most resonant images—images that take viewers on a journey into the haunts of iconic species whose struggles for survival are metaphorical fulcrums for reflection in the 21st century.

Every single image in Mangelsen’s portfolio has been taken in the wild under natural conditions; the result of him waiting for the “picture perfect moment” across decades and often in hostile conditions. Such a body of work can only be achieved by having a heightened sense of animal behavior, an uncanny feel for being able to read changing atmospherics in the environment, and patience.

At a time when digital technology is, notoriously, reprogramming its users to have shorter attention spans, A LIFE IN THE WILD stands as a testament to the rewards that can come to people who slow down their lives and wait for nature’s revelations to happen.

Our American Dreams Exhibit | Fonner Rotunda

Our American Dreams is a collaborative exhibit curated by Stuhr Museum with pieces from professional and amateur artists along the Platte River Valley that are inspired by the question “What does the American Dream mean to you?”

Our American Flag Activity | Fonner Rotunda

Located alongside the “Our American Dreams” exhibit, this interactive community art project by Stuhr Museum invites visitors to contribute to a collaborative U.S. flag collage. Guests will use provided newspapers and magazines to select and cut images and words that correspond to the colors of the American flag, gradually building a shared visual representation of unity and national identity.

250th Celebration Soccer Tournament | Arbor Discovery Zone

Catch the excitement of the 250th Celebration Soccer Tournament hosted by the Inter Soccer Academy during the United We Celebrate Festival at Stuhr Museum!

With the excitement of the 2026 FIFA World Cup taking place across the United States this summer, celebrate the world’s game right here in Grand Island. Teams from across the region will compete in this fast-paced 7v7 tournament featuring youth and adults divisions.

Tournament play begins at 9:00 am, with championship matches starting at 4:00 pm. Festival-goers are invited to stop by throughout the day to cheer on the athletes and enjoy the energy and competition as part of America’s 250th birthday celebration.

Be sure to return to the Arbor Stage at 9:00 pm for the tournament awards presentation, recognizing this year’s champions before the community fireworks finale.

Community Tables | Arbor Discovery Zone

Stop by the community tables to learn more about organizations and resources available in our community!

Grand Island Public Library
Stop by the Grand Island Public Library booth to decorate a 250th Anniversary commemorative hanging ornament! Made in the Library Makerspace, these festive ornaments can be displayed in your car, on a Christmas tree, or in a window as a keepsake from the celebration. The Library will also share information about upcoming summer reading programs, events, and activities for all ages.

Fiesta 94.5 FM
Celebrate America’s 250th with Fiesta 94.5, Central Nebraska’s home for today’s best Latino music and community connection. Stop by their booth for music, interactive activities, giveaways, prize drawings, photo opportunities, and a chance to meet the Fiesta 94.5 team.

Learn more about Fiesta 94.5’s partnership with Telemundo Nebraska, including the network’s Spanish-language coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and discover upcoming station events and promotions. Join Fiesta 94.5 in celebrating the diverse cultures and communities that have shaped America over the past 250 years.

 

 

 

Kids’ Activities | Arbor Discovery Zone

Celebrate America’s 250th with hands-on fun for young historians! Stuhr Museum’s family activity area features a variety of engaging experiences inspired by creativity, play, and history.

Free Activities: Explore a patriotic sensory bin, build your own creations at the LEGO table, and challenge family and friends to popular games enjoyed by children in the 1890s.

Paid Activities: Create a keepsake to take home by decorating a patriotic crown, designing a leather keychain, or crafting a wooden star ornament.

CRAFT & ARTISAN VENDORS | Arbor Discovery Zone

Browse a variety of artisan and vendor booths featuring handcrafted goods, unique gifts, and specialty items. Celebrate America’s 250th by supporting the creativity, craftsmanship, and entrepreneurial spirit that continue to shape our nation today.

Listed alphabetically:

Ashu Carole Orock – local author

Bela & Tony Designs – cups, pens, keychains, badge reels, wristlets

Crochet by Amber – crocheted items

Gladis Oro Jewelry – handmade jewelry

Indian Jane Creations – handmade creations, denim vests and jewelry, beaded jewelry, pet clothes

Resting Witch Face – handmade semi-precious gemstone jewelry

Rosebuds Shoppe – mini cakes, brownies, crisps & cobblers, scotcheroos and crispy treats

Scutes & Skeins – custom crochet

Windy Prairie Weaving – Indigenous designs featuring hand-woven Adirondack pack baskets, fishing creels, market baskets, leather/fiber purses

Bounce Houses | Pioneer Play Park

Let the kids burn off some energy in the free bounce house located in the Pioneer Play Park. It’s the perfect place to jump, laugh, and play between festival adventures!

Explore the Road Ranche | Pioneer Play Park

Step back to the 1860s as you explore the Road Ranche and visit with Stuhr Museum’s Living Historians to learn about daily life on the Nebraska prairie. Discover what it took to live, work, and travel on the frontier during this formative period in Nebraska’s history.

STEAM Activities for Kids | Schoolyard Play Park

Stop by the EPIC Discovery Center area for fun, free, hands-on activities designed especially for youth and families! 

Car Barrel Rides | Schoolyard Play Park

Hop aboard the car barrels for a fun, kid-friendly ride experience with Railside Rides! This attraction offers younger visitors a short, playful train-style ride within the Schoolyard Play Park area of the festival grounds. *Additional fee.

CAMEL RIDES | Schoolyard Play Park

Enjoy a memorable camel ride experience with Pappy’s Camels! Stop by for a family-friendly opportunity to meet the camels and take a short ride as part of the festival fun. *Additional fee.

FANTASY ZOO RIDES | Schoolyard Play Park

Climb aboard motorized plush animals for a unique ride experience in the Schoolyard Play Park! *Additional fee.

Mountain Man Rendezvous Camp | Great Plains Heritage Area

Step back in time and experience the early 1800s with a Mountain Man fur trade rendezvous reenactment hosted by the Nebraska Muzzleloader Rifle Association. Visitors are invited to explore authentic-style frontier camps and interact with reenactors portraying life during the American fur trade era. This immersive experience brings history to life through demonstrations, storytelling, and hands-on encounters that highlight the challenges and traditions of the frontier.

VISIT THE EARTH LODGE | Great Plains Heritage Area

Visit the Pawnee Earth Lodge and step into the entryway to see the interior of this newly reconstructed dwelling representing one of the structures that the Pawnee would have called home.

From the viewing area, you can see key features of daily life, including the food pit to the left, beds along the perimeter, the altar space at the front of the lodge, and items such as tools, toys that would have been used by the Pawnee. Take note of structural features, such as the four main support posts, each painted a different color. The number four is a significant number in the Pawnee culture and shows up in many ways, such as the four cardinal directions and the four seasons.

This area was home to the Pawnee people for generations before settlement by newcomers. The lodge and tipi reflect their semi-nomadic lifestyle. The nearby muzzle loader camp illustrates early trade and cultural exchange, where tools, goods, and skills were shared between Indigenous communities and later settlers.

EXPLORE RAILROAD TOWN

Explore Railroad Town, a living history community representing life along the railroad in 1896. Set almost exactly halfway between America’s founding in 1776 and today in 2026, Railroad Town offers a snapshot of a moment in our nation’s past.

Living historians share snippets of daily life in the town, from work, home life, and community activity, alongside period-appropriate celebrations for Independence Day. Look for both similarities and differences between past and present as you move through the town, highlighting how times have changed while everyday life continues to connect us.

Special activities will be available throughout Railroad Town, adding to the everyday atmosphere that makes it an immersive and memorable part of the festival experience.

250th Virtual Time Trek Activity | Railroad Town

Dive deeper into the stories that shaped, and were shaped by, the many communities that make America what it is today. From communication and political representation to education, transportation, and industrialization, the Platte River Valley holds a rich and fascinating history waiting to be explored.

Begin your adventure by scanning a QR code at Peters School in Railroad Town to unlock a timeline challenge. Answer questions, discover secret codewords, and uncover clues leading you to the next stop on your journey through time.

Complete all four locations in the trek to earn a virtual badge, then visit the info booth in the Arbor across from Railroad Town to be entered in a drawing to win a prize! Prizes will be announced at the Arbor Stage at 9 pm – must be present to win. 

Do you have what it takes to trek through time?

Civic Knowledge Game | Town Hall, Railroad Town

Test your knowledge of U.S. history and civics with this fun, Jeopardy-style interactive activity hosted by the Multicultural Coalition! Participants will answer questions based on the civics test taken by individuals during the U.S. naturalization process and learn more about the history, government, and civic principles that shape the nation. Guests of all ages are invited to play, learn, and challenge themselves throughout the activity.

United We Celebrate Newspaper Time Capsule Activity | Depot, Railroad Town

Be part of the United We Celebrate Newspaper Time Capsule! Visit the Depot to pick up a short reflection sheet and share what you think should be remembered about this year.

Choose a newspaper-style category—local, world, sports, entertainment, or another topic—and contribute a memory, thought, or moment that feels important to capture from 2026. All submissions will be included in a special commemorative newspaper created after the festival, preserving a snapshot of our community during America’s 250th celebration.

You Are From Where You Grow Exhibit | Taylor Store, RAILROAD TOWN

You Are From Where You Grow is an exhibit that illuminates the experiences of our immigrant neighbors. This collection highlights people who have shared their stories as community members of Grand Island, Nebraska. The inspiration for this project started when local immigrant photographer Lazaro Mira decided to combat feelings of depression and isolation by using his art to show himself and other immigrants that they are not alone.  Amplify and Stuhr Museum collaborated with Lazaro to collect photos and stories from him and eight other immigrants living in Grand Island in 2024. The quotes displayed throughout provide a glimpse at the human emotions connected to each person’s photo and their unique story.

Stuhr Museum will open at 9 am for the 250th Celebration Soccer Tournament. Museum exhibits and select daily activities in Railroad Town will be available all day long, however festival activities do not begin until 2 pm. See the schedule for more details.

Stuhr Museum is offering a special discounted admission rate on July 4. Admission is just $2.50 all day long from 9 am – 8 pm for the public, and free for Stuhr Museum members, Hastings Museum members, and Blue Star Families.

After 8 pm, admission is free to all as we gather together for the community fireworks celebration, courtesy of the Grand Island Fireworks Celebration.

Parking is available on Stuhr Museum grounds; however, it will operate differently than a typical museum visit. Guests may park in designated areas around the Stuhr Building or in the large festival parking lot. Please follow all posted signage and directions from traffic control personnel to ensure safe and efficient parking throughout the event.

Public parking is permitted only in designated areas. Volunteer, performer, media, and staff parking areas are restricted and not available to the general public. Handicap parking will be located in front of the Stuhr Building and also in the parking lot near the cabins (ask at the road block for access to this lot).

Shuttles will be available to assist with transportation across the museum grounds for added convenience.

Vehicles parked in restricted or unsafe areas may be subject to towing at the owner’s expense.

Shuttles will be running continuously during the festival to help transport visitors across the museum grounds. Look for the blue and yellow shuttle stop flags to hitch a ride!

Thank you to Husker Harvest Days for their donation of two shuttles to assist with visitor transportation at Stuhr Museum and to Railside Rides for providing a unique shuttle experience for festival guests!

For the safety and enjoyment of all guests, the following items are not allowed:

• Personal fireworks
• Weapons of any kind
• Alcohol or illegal substances
• Personal drones
• Open flames or grills
• Animals that are not service animals

Lost and found will be located at the info booths throughout the festival. If you lost something that hasn’t been turned in yet, we’re happy to take down a description of the item and your contact information so we can reach out if it is found. If you find an item that you think someone might be looking for, please take it to the nearest information booth or give it to a staff or volunteer to turn in.

Yes! Food trucks are located at the south end of Railroad Town and the Silver Dollar Cafe located on Front Street in Railroad Town is also open.

Yes, first-aid stations are located at the north end of Railroad Town in the Taylor House in the Schoolyard Play Park in the public restroom building.

Minor first-aid (i.e. a bandaid for a scrape) may also be administered at the Command Center, Stuhr Building, or Fonner Rotunda.

If an emergency arises and a guest calls 911, please notify a staff member or volunteer so that we can assist the emergency vehicle in getting to the proper location.

Those wishing only to attend the fireworks show can arrive anytime after 8 pm for free entry. There will be live music leading up to the community fireworks show for your enjoyment.

We encourage guests to give themselves plenty of time to allow for parking and to find a spot to watch the fireworks. The best viewing on the museum grounds will be located in the large field near the Arbor (bring a chair or blanket to enjoy the show!)

Vehicles parked in restricted or unsafe areas may be subject to towing at the owner’s expense.

If viewing the fireworks off-site, please ensure you park only in designated or lawful parking areas. Do not block roadways, driveways, or access points, and do not park along highways or on private property without permission. These areas must remain clear at all times to allow safe passage for emergency vehicles and local traffic.

In the event of inclement weather, festival activities and the fireworks show may be delayed or adjusted for safety. Any necessary updates or cancellations will be shared through official Stuhr Museum and Grand Island Fireworks Celebration communication channels and through local news media outlets as appropriate.

Most likely, yes. Please follow our post-fireworks traffic flow plan to allow for the most efficient and safe exit for all guests.

*Post-Fireworks Traffic Flow*

Following the fireworks show, all traffic will be outgoing only to help ensure a safe and efficient exit for all guests.
*Right turns will follow the normal museum exit route
*Left turns must exit using the entrance lane
We will move vehicles out as efficiently as possible, but guests should plan for some delay. Please follow directions from event staff and law enforcement to ensure a safe and efficient exit.