NORTH PLATTE, NEB. (October 19, 2006)—Governor Dave Heineman joined 250 tourism professionals Thursday evening during the annual tourism awards banquet to recognize the outstanding work taking place statewide. Held at the Quality Inn & Suites Sandhills Convention Center, the 31st Annual Travel and Tourism Conference was organized by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development’s Travel and Tourism Division and hosted by the North Platte Lincoln County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The Governor presented the following awards:

The Friend of Tourism Award—Nebraska Czechs of Wilber. Since 1962, the Nebraska Czechs of Wilber has worked to boost the community’s economy, develop tourism, maintain and support the area’s Czech heritage and culture, and help host the annual Wilber Czech Days, which attracts thousands of people during the three-day celebration. Thanks in part to the group’s efforts, Wilber Czech Days has gained national attention and recognition as one of the best Czech festivals in the U.S.

The Outstanding Event Award in a Community With a Population Less than 5,000—Nebraska’s Junk Jaunt. During the last full weekend in September, 15-20,000 people travel a 220-mile stretch of roadway in central Nebraska in search of flea market bargains and antiques. Encompassing 40 communities in 10 counties, the Junk Jaunt provides a welcome boost to the area’s economy and helps shoppers discover hard to find treasures.

The Outstanding Event Award in a Community With a Population of 5,000-20,000—Seward’s Fourth of July Celebration. One of the largest Fourth of July celebrations to take place anywhere occurs in Seward, Nebraska’s lovely town square and has done so since 1868. Every year, new events mesh with the old tried and true: horseshoe pitching, pie eating contest, carnival rides, antique car show, old-fashioned water fight between local fire departments, and the list goes on and on. Visitors show their patriotism by having letters and cards stamped with a special “Seward...The 4th of July City” postal stamp.

The Outstanding Event Award in a Community With a Population Greater Than 20,000—Kool-Aid Days in Hastings, Neb. In 1927, young Edwin Perkins from Hendley, Nebraska, created the fruit flavored powder that would became a beverage phenomenon in households throughout the world—Kool-Aid. The Perkins family move to Hastings provided them with their first real Kool-Aid production facility and the rest is history. To say that Kool-Aid Days has successfully promoted the fun-loving beverage and fond memories of generations of consumers is an understatement. Attendance nearly tripled from 6,000 in 2004 to 16,000 in 2006. The event even earned a nomination on the American Bus Association’s “Top 100 Events” list. This year’s Days featured the “World’s Largest Kool-Aid Stand,” performer Richie Havens, and a new Kardboard Boat Race on Lake Hastings. “Kool-Aid Days Kollectibles”, including t-shirts, towels and mugs sold out the first day.

The Outstanding New Event—Shannon Trail’s $500 Reward for Finding Private Shannon. Made up of 16 communities and two American Indian Tribes in northeast Nebraska, the Shannon Trail was named for private George Shannon, the youngest member of Lewis and Clark’s Expedition. Shannon became separated from his crewmates for 16 days while the Expedition explored modern day northeast Nebraska along the Missouri River. Shannon Trail founders created a fun scavenger hunt that encourages visitors to visit the various communities and reservations in search of clues located on National Park Service interpretive wayside signs. Those who collected stamps from 106 participating businesses and interpretive signs were eligible for a $500 “reward.” More than 250 entries from five states, including Oregon and California were received. A 10-year-old from Hartington, Nebraska won the reward.

The Outstanding Regional Association Award—Loup Rivers Scenic Byway and Loup Basin Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) Tourism Committees, central Nebraska. Since 1993, the Loup Basin RC&D has actively promoted rural tourism and offered recreational activities to diversify the area’s economy. In 1998, the organization obtained authorization of the Loup Rivers Scenic Byway and created the Loup Rivers Scenic Byway Committee, which includes Highways 11 and 91 running between Wood River and Dunning. For three years, the two tourism committees have developed tourism along the 150-mile byway through unique projects, including one of its most successful—Nebraska’s Junk Jaunt.

The Outstanding Tourism Campaign—Gering’s Rolling Billboards. Measuring 53 feet long and 9-1/2 feet high, Gering’s new billboards painted on the sides of three Nebraska Transport semi-tractor trailers transport images of northwest Nebraska to thousands of travelers throughout the U.S. The billboards specifically invite audiences to visit Scotts Bluff National Monument, Monument Shadows Golf Course, Gering Civic Center, Five Rocks Amphitheatre, and Robidoux RV Park. The campaign launched in April 2006 and is expected to grow to include other Nebraska landmarks.

The Outstanding Tourism Entity—Great Platte River Road Archway Monument, along I-80 near Kearney. Brainchild of former Nebraska Governor Frank Morrison (deceased), the Archway Monument commemorates the westward expansion of the California, Mormon and Oregon Trails, which converge in Nebraska. More than 100,000 visitors stop at the Archway annually to view its many interactive exhibits that focus on the history of Nebraska, including early pioneers, the Pony Express, birth of the railroad, the Lincoln Highway, Interstate 80, and modern communication technologies, from the telegraph to fiber optics. In 2002, the Archway also was featured in the movie About Schmidt, starring Jack Nicholson.

The Outstanding Tourism Publication Award—North Platte Convention and Visitors Bureau. The compact, full-color visitor’s guide features eye-catching photographs of fun attractions and activities in and around North Platte, plus a detailed map that identifies shopping hot spots, lodging properties and attractions. The guide’s compact size makes it easy to mail and carry around.

The Outstanding Web Site Award—Stoney’s Hawg Stop, 2-1/2 miles south of Valentine. Since 2003, Stoney’s Hawg Stop has attracted hundreds of bikers heading to the yearly Sturgis Bike Rally in Sturgis, S.D. The Hawg Stop’s Web Site thoroughly promotes the event, as well as the many attractions in and around Valentine and the Sandhills Region. From April 1-August 30, 2006, nearly 13,000 people visited the website. Banner ads that Stoney’s placed on Sturgis.com generated 1.3 million ad views and more than 1,500 ad clicks.

The final award that Gov. Heineman presented was:

The 2006 Henry Fonda Award—The state’s highest tourism award for leadership, vision, and dedication to Nebraska tourism went to Yvonne Dalluge, Pawnee City. Known as the “Grand Dame” of tourism promotion, development, and fund raising for Pawnee County and southeastern Nebraska, Dalluge has dedicated herself to developing, refurbishing and restoring the Pawnee City Historical Society since 1990. In 2000, she started Civil War Reenactment Historical Days, which yearly attracts hundreds of Civil War enthusiasts from throughout the U.S. She helped spearhead the restoration of Hollywood silent film actor Harold Lloyd’s birth home in Burchard, personally contacting Lloyd’s family members and collectors to secure donated personal items and memorabilia that are now displayed there. When Dalluge realized the untapped potential in eco-, ag- and group tourism in Pawnee County, she contacted agricultural producers and landowners throughout the county and convinced many to promote and develop these markets. Her unique fund-raising ideas have become legendary. In 2004, she began selling items on e-Bay to support Pawnee City’s tourism marketing and development efforts. She also worked with a local florist to encourage customers to purchase spring bouquets, with $1 from each sale helping landscape Pawnee City and the Historical Society with a colorful assortment of spring flowers. An active board member of the Southeast Nebraska Tourism Council, Dalluge was named 1992 Nebraska Mother of the Year. She and her husband, Duane, also have owned and operated My Blue Heaven Bed and Breakfast for the past 17 years.

Before the banquet, the Nebraska Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus presented The Crystal Compass Award to Donna Goodier with the South Sioux City Convention and Visitors Bureau.

FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Micheal Collins at 800-228-4307, 402-471-3795, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Individuals who are hearing and/or speech impaired and have a TDD, may contact the department through the Statewide Relay System by calling one of the following numbers:
711, (800) 833- 7352 (TDD), or (800) 833-0920 (voice).
The relay operator should be asked to call DED at (800) 426-6505, or (402) 471-3111.