Arbor Day: The Tradition Continues

April 26th - 28th, 2024

A love of trees that goes way, way, way beyond hugging.

 

For more than 150 years, folks in this small town on the Missouri River have faithfully planted trees. 


Oaks, pines, maples, elms, willows, sycamores. Flowering trees, conifers, deciduous. What started as a plan to make the empty plains welcoming to settlers and provide shade, shelter, and building materials has turned into a quest for environmental preservation – a chance to enrich the earth for future generations.

 

Along the way, what became known as Arbor Day grew into a weekend-long celebration. And not only in our own community…Arbor Day may have started in the small town of Nebraska City, Nebraska, but it is now recognized in all 50 states and in many countries around the world.

 

Come and visit us this Arbor Day! Make a weekend out of it; stay a few days, visit some museums, shop a bit, see the sights…plant a tree!

 

CLICK THE FOLLOWING LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION!
Arbor Day 2024 – Honoree, Tree Planter, Prestigious Tree Nomination Form
Arbor Day 2024 – Sponsorship Form
Arbor Day 2024 – Schedule of Events Form
Arbor Day 2024 – Parade Form
Arbor Day 2024 – Home, Craft, & Garden Market Registration
Arbor Day 2024 – Best of the Midwest Bloody Mary Competition Registration

 

Check out all our fabulous Nebraska City Museums!
Make a weekend out of it and book an overnight stay!
Hungry?
Need to do some shopping?

 

7 Ways to Experience Arbor Day in the Home of Arbor Day

 

Saturday, April 20, 2024

FREE

Foraging Walk at Riverview Nature Park


Time: 10 a.m.
Location: Riverview Nature Park, Nebraska City
Description: Join the "Friends of Riverview Nature Park" for a foraging walk of wild edibles, led by Nebraska Statewide Arboretum horticulturist Bob Henrickson! Parking available on North 5th & North 6th Streets.
Website: Click here for flyer

Friday, April 26, 2024

FREE

Free Admission to Arbor Lodge


Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Arbor Lodge State Park
Description: Learn about Arbor Day in the place where it all began! Explore the original estate of the Morton family including the mansion, park grounds, and Carriage House.
Website: https://www.arbordayfarm.org/activities/arbor-lodge.cfm
Admission Rates Apply

Arbor Day Weekend Celebration at Arbor Day Farm


Time: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Location: Arbor Day Farm Tree Adventure, 2611 Arbor Avenue
Description: Happy Arbor Day from Arbor Day Farm! It's a family celebration at the Tree Adventure with the Treetop Village, nature activities, tree climbing, Discovery Rides, orchard tours, history, & more!
Website: https://www.arbordayfarm.org/

Children's Program


Time: 10:00 / 1:30
Location: Arbor Lodge State Park
Description: Continuing a tradition that started more than 150 years ago, local schoolchildren will celebrate Arbor Day with an educational and entertaining field trip to Arbor Lodge!
FREE

Commemorative Tree Planting for 2024 Arbor Day Honorees and Tree Planters


Time: TBD
Location: TBD
Description: Who will be honored as the 2024 Arbor Day Honoree and Tree Planter? Stay tuned!
$10 per person

Cosmic Bowling


Time: 4 to 11 p.m.
Location: Arbor Lanes, 2023 Industrial Road
Description: Two hours of Cosmic Bowling, shoes, medium soda for $10 per person - No coupons, discounts, reservations, refills.
Website: https://arborlanesbowling.com/

Saturday, April 27, 2024

40.00

Arbor Day 5K Family Fun Run/Walk


Time: 9 a.m.
Location: Start and Finish at the Woodland Grove behind the Lied Lodge at Arbor Day Farm
Description: Run or walk in the footsteps of J. Sterling Morton! NEW ROUTE THIS YEAR is on the Conservation Trail at Arbor Day Farm! Pre-registrants guaranteed a t-shirt. Bring the family for the KIDS LOOP (less than a mile) at 10 a.m.
Website: https://nebraskacitytc.square.site/product/arbor-day-fun-run-walk/31
Admission Rates Apply

Celebrate Arbor Day at Arbor Lodge State Park & Mansion


Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Arbor Lodge State Park, 2600 Arbor Avenue
Description: Learn about Arbor Day in the place where it all began. Explore the original estate of the Morton family, including the 52-room mansion, park grounds, and carriage house. Adults: $9 / Youth: $7
Website: https://www.arbordayfarm.org/activities/arbor-lodge.cfm

Home, Craft, & Garden Market


Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Eagles Club, 600 1st Corso
Description: Home goods, improvement vendors, garden ideas, makers -- all indoors!
Website: Sign Up Here!
Admission Rates Apply

Arbor Day Weekend at Arbor Day Farm


Time: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Location: Arbor Day Farm Tree Adventure, 2611 Arbor Avenue
Description: Happy Arbor Day from Arbor Day Farm! It's a family celebration at the Tree Adventure with the Treetop Village, nature activities, tree climbing, Discovery Rides, orchard tours, & more! The String Beans will be in concert from 11 a.m. until 12 p.m. Adults: $13 / Youth: $11
Website: https://www.arbordayfarm.org/
FREE

2024 Arbor Day Parade


Time: 1 p.m.
Location: Central Ave. from16th Street east to 6th Street
Description: Floats, vehicles, bands, and more! VIEW US LIVE ON FACEBOOK!
Website: Sign Up Here!
$10 per person

Cosmic Bowling


Time: 4 to 11 p.m.
Location: Arbor Lanes, 2023 Industrial Road
Description: Two hours of Cosmic Bowling, shoes, medium soda for $10 per person - No coupons, discounts, reservations, refills.
Website: https://arborlanesbowling.com/
$10 per adult / $7 ages 3-12

Arbor Day BBQ


Time: 5 to 8 p.m.
Location: Memorial Building
Description: The Arbor Day BBQ is back! Enjoy Cargill brisket, chips, potato salad, drink, and dessert. The Arbor Town Throw Down Paper Airplane Contest (free to enter!) will take place at 7 p.m.!

Sunday, April 28, 2024

$6 for adults / $4 for children

Jaycee's Fly-In Breakfast


Time: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Location: Nebraska City Municipal Airport, Highway 75 south of town
Description: All you can eat pancakes, ham, orange juice/coffee at this annual tradition! If the weather cooperates, you can watch the planes land!

Best of the Midwest Bloody Mary Championship


Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: The Eagles Club, 600 1st Corso, Nebraska City
Description: Do you make the best Bloody Mary around? Enter to find out! Or would you rather taste-test? $5 cover charge - tasting tickets are 5 for $10. 21 and over event.
Website: Sign Up Here!
Admission rates apply

Celebrate Arbor Day at Arbor Lodge State Park & Mansion


Time: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Arbor Lodge State Park, 2600 Arbor Avenue
Description: Learn about Arbor Day in the place where it all began. Explore the original estate of the Morton family, including the 52-room mansion, park grounds, and carriage house. Adults: $9 / Youth: $7
Website: https://www.arbordayfarm.org/activities/arbor-lodge.cfm
Admission rates apply

Arbor Day Weekend at Arbor Day Farm


Time: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Arbor Day Farm Tree Adventure, 2611 Arbor Avenue
Description: Happy Arbor Day from Arbor Day Farm! It's a family celebration at the Tree Adventure with the Treetop Village, nature activities, tree climbing, Discovery Rides, orchard tours, & more! The String Beans will be in concert from 11 a.m. until 12 p.m. Adults: $13 / Youth: $11
Website: https://www.arbordayfarm.org/
$10 per person

Cosmic Bowling


Time: 12 to 5 p.m.
Location: Arbor Lanes, 2023 Industrial Road
Description: Two hours of Cosmic Bowling, shoes, medium soda for $10 per person - No coupons, discounts, reservations, refills.
Website: https://arborlanesbowling.com/

Festival Sponsors

The Morton Oak