Crop: Forage crops
Date: September 16-17, 2023
Location: Legacy of the Plains Museum
Admission: $5 person, under 12 is free
Now in its 27th year, the annual Harvest Festival is one of the premier events on the western Nebraska calendar, held the third weekend of September every year. Thousands of travelers from throughout Nebraska and neighboring states come to Legacy of the Plains for a rare glimpse of antique farm machinery in action — and the chance for hands-on participation.
Harvest tubers to take home in the pick-your-own potato patch (price depends on the size of the container). There are demonstrations of antique equipment centering around the year’s featured crop – dry edible beans. Other aspects of the family-friendly event include daily parades of horse-drawn equipment and tractors; food vendors; demonstrations of blacksmithing; small engines, and bean sorting; and kids’ activities, including a hay bale fort, pedal tractor course, a barrel train ride, and games. Available livestock for viewing will be chickens, oxen, and goats, . (In addition to the museum’s herd of longhorns.)
Inside, we will have live music, “Our Heritage through Food” cookbook, and bake sale. The Exhibit Hall will be open thanks to our sponsors: Gering Valley Plumbing, WNCC, B&C Steel, Inland Truck Parts and Service, and Bill and Marsha Vaughan.
2023 harvest festival map and schedule
Hours of Operation: (events times subject to change)
SATURDAY, September 16 SUNDAY, September 17
9:00 Gates Open 9:00 – 10:00 am Church Service
9:00 – 5:00 Potato Patch Open 10:00 – 4:00 Gates open and Potato Patch
9:00 – 4:30 Free Wagon Rides 10:00 – 4:30 Free Wagon Rides
9:30 – 11:00 Hand, Horse, and Tractor Bean Harvest 10:00 – 11:00 Hand, Horse, and Tractor Bean Harvest
10:00 – Noon Local Musicians 10:00 – Noon Local Musicians
1:00 – 2:00 Horse, Tractor & Equipment Parade 1:00 – 2:00 Horse , Tractor & Equipment Parade
2:00 – 4:00 Hand, Horse, and Tractor Bean Harvest 2:00 – 4:00 Hand, Horse, and Tractor Bean Harvest