Nebraska Festival Named Top 10 in North America

LINCOLN, Neb. (Sept. 5, 2006) – The Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) recently announced the “Top 10 Autumn Festivals in North America” that included the AppleJack Festival held Sept. 16-17 in Nebraska City. This 38th annual festival draws between 40,000 and 45,000 people as they celebrate the harvest from the apple orchards around this tree-filled city.

SATW is the preeminent professional organization of travel communicators whose

1200-plus members include travel editors, staff writers, columnists, publishers, photographers, freelance writers, TV, radio and film producers and other travel industry professionals.

Only three events from the Midwest received this distinction, including Indiana Covered Bridge Festival in Rockville, Indiana, and 5th Annual Bayfield Apple Festival in Bayfield, Wisconsin. Other events include Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Oktoberfest by the Bay in San Francisco, California; “Ding” Darling Days in Sanibel Island, Florida; Keene Pumpkin Festival in Keene, New Hampshire; The Woolly Worm Festival in Banner Elk, North Carolina; Pumpkin People Festival in Kentville, Nova Scotia, Canada; and Mountain State Forest Festival in Elkins, West Virginia.

“We are very honored to have received this prestigious award,” said Jim Johnston, executive director of Nebraska City Tourism & Commerce. “This award is extremely important to our community as we strive to promote tourism and share the many attractions and amenities Nebraska City has to offer. This award demonstrates to our visitors what tremendous events this community sponsors. These events are truly dependent on the residents who work together to make them successful year after year.”

“I applaud Nebraska City for receiving this award,” said Christian Hornbaker, director of Nebraska Division of Travel and Tourism. “Each year they continue to create an outstanding event that continues to improve. This award will say to the world that Nebraska offers high-quality events and will encourage travelers to find out more about this great state.”

Some of the highlighted activities at this year’s festival include:

-Annual parade and marching band competition

-All-you-can-eat waffle feed featuring apple-cinnamon flavored waffles

-AppleJam Fest that includes live concerts, food treats, games and prizes

-Classic car show

-Numerous activities at Arbor Day Farm and Kimmel Orchard

For more information on this event, visit www.NebraskaCity.com or call 800-514-9113. For more information on events across the state and to receive a free Nebraska travel packet, call 877-NEBRASKA or visit the Nebraska Travel and Tourism’s Web site at www.VisitNebraska.org.

FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Rachelle Humiston
Public Relations Director, Snitily Carr
(402) 489-2121
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