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Halloween and Harvest October Local ghosts and goblins (and princesses and firefighters and Spidermen) will be downtown Nebraska City on Central Avenue on Halloween, October 31, from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM for the annual Trail of Treats! Join us for this spooktakular family-friendly event! It’s HALLOWEEN BINGO! Sunday, October 26 | 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM Concessions available – wear a costume and receive a FREE bag of popcorn! 25¢ per card per game | kids in costume with an adult allowed one free card per game. All proceeds benefit the NCTC scholarship. It’s time for Nebraska City’s 10th Annual Scarecrow Decorating Contest! Participating businesses display a scarecrow outside of their business, and voters select a winner. Photographs of each scarecrow can be viewed on the NCTC Facebook page ; votes are cast by “liking” a scarecrow’s image. The scarecrow with the most “likes” at the end of the month will be named the People’s Choice. In addition, a panel of judges will select an overall winner. Special thanks to our Sponsors To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

Membership The mission of Nebraska City Tourism & Commerce is to create a prosperous, vibrant community. We strive to unite residents to promote tourism, strengthen commerce, and improve the welfare of the community to benefit the quality of life in historic Nebraska City. Become a Member Submit Calendar Event Sponsor a Member Mixer Share an idea for Hot Topics Treestock Sidewalk Sales Farm to Fork Farmer's Market Central Ave. Cinema AppleJack Halloween Holidays Banquet Valentine's Day St. Pat's Arbor Day Golf Classic Eat Your Heart Out : February 8-15, 2026 Registration (both campaigns in one link): LINK Deadline: Wednesday, January 28, 2026 Cupid's Punch Card : February 8-15, 2026 Registeration (both campaigns in one link): LINK Limited to only 16 businesses Deadline: Wednesday, January 28, 2026 $25-$50 gift card to NCTC by Feb. 4, 2026 How it works: Shoppers pick up their card at participating businesses or NCTC Shop, Dine, and Get Stamped Only one stamp per business, per card. Shoppers collect at least 4 different business stamps on their punch card Shoppers turn in their card at participating businesses or NCTC by Feb, 16, 2026 at 9:00 AM. Completed punch cards will be entered into a drawing for a gift card to one of the participating businesses. Bar Sign-up: LINK Deadline: March 4, 2026 Team Sign-up: LINK Early bird registration deadline: March 9, 2026 Arbor Day Honoree, Tree Planter of the Year, and Prestigious Tree Nominations: LINK Deadline: Wednesday, March 18, 2026 Arbor Day Sponsorship Form: LINK Deadline: Wednesday, March 25, 2026 Arbor Day Schedule of Events Submission: LINK Booklet Print Deadline: Wednesday, April 1, 2026 ***Events will be added to the festival website until the day of the festival. Arbor Day T-shirt Pre-Order: HERE Deadline: Wednesday, April 8, 2026 Best of the Midwest Bloody Mary Competitor Registration Form: LINK Deadline: Friday, April 10, 2026 Home, Craft & Garden Market Registration Form: LINK Deadline: Monday, April 13, 2026 Parade Registration Form: LINK Deadline: Wednesday, April 15, 2026 Sponsorship Link: HERE Deadline: Wednesday, April 29, 2026 Team Registration Link: HERE Deadline: Wednesday, May 6, 2026 Treestock Sponsorship Form: LINK Deadline: Wednesday, June 17, 2026 Treestock T-shirt Pre-Order Form: LINK Deadline: Wednesday, June 17, 2026 Sponsorship Registration: LINK Deadline for sponsorships that include comp or pre-purchase tickets: May 20, 2026 Deadline for all other sponsorships: July 22, 2026 Get tickets HERE Ticket Sales Launch: June 1, 2026 Sponsorship Form: LINK Deadline: Wednesday, August 19, 2026 Schedule of Events Submission: LINK Booklet Print Deadline: Wednesday, August 26, 2026 ***Events will be added to the festival page until the day of the festival. AppleJack T-shirt Pre-Order: HERE Deadline: Wednesday, September 2, 2026 Parade Registration Form: LINK Deadline: Wednesday, September 9, 2026 VOLUNTEER! Sign-up LINK coming soon! Craft Show Vendor Information available HERE Food Court Vendor Information available HERE Business Registration: LINK Deadline: Wednesday, July 1, 2026 Scarecrow Contest Registration: LINK Registration Deadline: Wed., October 7, 2026 Scarecrow must be ready: Wed., October 14, 2026 Online voting begins Mon., October 19, 2026 Online voting ends Mon., October 28, 2026 Trail of Treats Event Date: October 30, 2026 Registration: LINK Registration Deadline: October 28, 2026 Shop Nebraska City First | Twelve Days of Christmas with Holli Day | Nebraska City Wish Book Registration (all campaigns in one link): LINK Deadline: Wednesday, November 5, 2025 Market Vendor Registration: LINK Deadline: TBA Sponsor Registration: LINK Sponsor Registration: LINK Award and/or Board of Directors Nominations: LINK Board of Directors Nomination Deadline: Friday, October 31, 2025 Award Nomination Deadline: Wednesday, December 17, 2025 Purchase Tickets Here Catering/Beverage Services RFP: LINK Due by November 7, 2025 Subscribe to Planning Guide Google Calendar Link: webcal://tockify.com/api/feeds/ics/nctcplanningguide Member Advertising Worksheet NCTC COMMITTTEES COMMERCE & BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT Purpose: Bolster the economic climate for local businesses; strengthen existing businesses; recruit new businesses Chair: Ben Waldron TOURISM & PROMOTIONS Purpose: Promote Nebraska City as a center of commerce and culture; festivals/special events; retail promotions Chair: Jennifer Dirksen COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Purpose: Help Nebraska City understand and appreciate its strengths and assets; increase Nebraska City's social capital; grant scholarships Chair: Jessica Crunk LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS Purpose: Advocate and educate government officials on issues affecting Nebraska City as a community and the business climate Chair: Lisa Walker DESIGN Purpose: To make downtown more attractive for shoppers, investors, business owners, residents, and visitors; facade improvements; streetscapes; in partnership with the Creative District Chair: Amy Allgood ORGANIZATIONAL HEALTH Purpose: Oversees internal operations of the organization; policies and procedures; financial health; capacity building Chair: Tara Nanninga Benefits to Joining NCTC It helps you make business contacts When you decide to join NCTC, you open your business to a network of potential partnerships. Business contacts from your local chamber could become the supportive community you turn to one day for assistance or vice versa. In addition, your new business contacts may be the people who serve as your sounding board for new ideas, come up with solutions to internal business problems, and even partner with you on a new endeavor. It increases your credibility Joining NCTC could give you more credibility with potential customers. One study found that 63% of customers have a higher opinion of businesses that are chamber of commerce members. As your business's positive perception increases, so will your profits as you establish credibility and brand recognition within your industry. Your membership dues could pay for themselves, thanks to the influx in your consumer base. It increases your visibility As NCTC continues to grow, so will your visibility in the community. NCTC hold monthly networking opportunities, allowing you to meet other professionals in your area. While the types of events vary, each will allow you to make new connections and gain exposure for your business. NCTC provides additional marketing opportunities by highlighting your company at events, on the website, or on social media platforms. How to maximize your chamber membership NCTC membership is only valuable if you take advantage of all the benefits it has to offer. Here are three ways you can maximize your membership: Know why you joined: It’s important to understand what you hope to get from your NCTC membership. Do you want to connect with like-minded entrepreneurs, or do you want more visibility for your business? Understanding your primary motivation will help you determine which events and resources to take advantage of. When you know your why, share it with the NCTC Membership Director, Macey, so she can be sure to reach out as opportunities become available. Take advantage of every marketing opportunity: After joining NCTC, take advantage of every opportunity you can find to promote your business. We offer different ways to market your company and generate new leads for your business. Participate regularly: Finally, make sure you regularly attend events and make a point to get to know other members. You might also consider volunteering for a committee or sponsoring an event!

250th Art Challenge:Postcard Art Invite Wildwood Historic Center, 420 Steinhart Park Rd, Nebraska City, NE 68410 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Sat Apr 25 Make art on a postcard to be displayed throughout the season and left in a box as a time capsule and opened in 50 years. Previous Event Next Event More Info

Brunch, Bloody Mary's, and Arbor Day Souvenir The Keeping Room - 717 Central Avenue 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Sat Apr 25 Brunch, Bloody Marys & Bubbles ✨ Brunch and lunch include beverage in a signature cup 🍹 Cocktails include keepsake glass EXTENDED HOURS 9 am - 5 pm Previous Event Next Event More Info

Welcome to the Home of Arbor Day in historic Nebraska City. 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! Check out all our fabulous Nebraska City Museums! Make a weekend out of it and book an overnight stay ! Hungry , we have places to stop? Need to do some shopping , we have something for everyone? 7 Ways to Experience Arbor Day in the Home of Arbor Day Arbor Day Festival April 24-26, 2026 Arbor Day Schedule of Events Special thanks to our 2026 Sponsors Plan your Arbor Day 2026 weekend Filter by Date Filter April 16 - Thurs April 18 - Sat. April 22 - Wed. April 23 - Thurs April 24 - Fri. April 25 - Sat. April 26 - Sun. Select date(s) below to display events happening on the days of interest to you: 16 Apr Thurs Tree the Trail Details 1801 Frontage Road 9:00 AM 18 Apr Sat Greatest American Cleanup for Arbor Day Details Meet at the Sunken Parking Lot on Central Avenue 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM 22 Apr Wed America 250: Nebraska City Time Capsule Details Otoe County Courthouse Lawn 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM 22 Apr Wed Commemorative Tree Planting Details Nebraska City Tourism & Commerce 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM 23 Apr Thurs Old Freighters Museum Renovation Ribbon Cutting Details Nebraska City Historical Society, 407 North 14th St 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM 24 Apr Fri Bloom Bar Details The Keeping Room - 717 Central Ave 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM 24 Apr Fri Patriotic Photography Display Details Kimmel Gallery, Morton-James Public Library 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM 24 Apr Fri Colonial Fun and Games: A Historical Play Day Details Wildwood Historic Center, 420 Steinhart Park Rd, Nebraska City, NE 68410 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM 24 Apr Fri Brunch, Bloody Mary's, and Arbor Day Souvenir Details The Keeping Room - 717 Central Avenue 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM 24 Apr Fri Centennial Flag Display Details Wildwood Historic Center, 420 Steinhart Park Rd, Nebraska City, NE 68410 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM 24 Apr Fri 250th Art Challenge: Postcard Art Invite Details Wildwood Historic Center, 420 Steinhart Park Rd, Nebraska Cty, NE 68410 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM 24 Apr Fri Free Admission to Arbor Lodge Mansion Details Arbor Lodge State Park 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM 24 Apr Fri Wine and Cider Tastings, Shopping & More Details Apple House Market at Arbor Day Farm, 2611 Arbor Ave, Nebraska City, NE 68410 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM 24 Apr Fri Children's Program Details Arbor Lodge Front Lawn 10:00 AM / 1:30 PM 24 Apr Fri Celebrating American Heritage: Trees Details Arbor Lodge State Historical Park & Mansion, 2600 Arbor Ave. 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM 24 Apr Fri Kimmel Orchard Opening Season Details Kimmel Orchard & Vineyard, 5995 G Road, Nebraska City, NE 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM 24 Apr Fri Patriotic Parade with Nebraska Brass Details Veterans Memorial Building, 810 1st Corso 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM 24 Apr Fri Tree Planting Demonstration Details Lied Lodge at Arbor Day Farm, 2700 Sylvan Rd, Nebraska City, NE 68410 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM 25 Apr Sat Arbor Day 5K/Kids Run Details Woodland Grove behind Lied Lodge at Arbor Day Farm 5K @ 9:00 AM / Kids Run @ 10:00 AM 25 Apr Sat Patriotic Photography Display Details Kimmel Gallery, Morton-James Public Library 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM 25 Apr Sat Bloom Fest Workshops Details Arbor Day Farm, 2611 Arbor Ave. Nebraska City, NE 68410 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM 25 Apr Sat Centennial Flag Display Details Wildwood Historic Center, 420 Steinhart Park Rd, Nebraska City, NE 68410 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM 25 Apr Sat 250th Art Challenge:Postcard Art Invite Details Wildwood Historic Center, 420 Steinhart Park Rd, Nebraska City, NE 68410 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM 25 Apr Sat Bloom Bar Details The Keeping Room - 717 Central Ave 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM 25 Apr Sat Celebrating American Heritage: Trees Details Arbor Lodge State Historical Park & Mansion, 2600 Arbor Ave. Nebraska City, NE 68410 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM 25 Apr Sat Colonial Fun and Games: A Historical Play Day Details Wildwood Historic Center, 420 Steinhart Park Rd, Nebraska City, NE 68410 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM 25 Apr Sat Brunch, Bloody Mary's, and Arbor Day Souvenir Details The Keeping Room - 717 Central Avenue 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM 25 Apr Sat Home, Craft, & Garden Market Details 600 1st Corso, Eagles Club 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM 25 Apr Sat Wine and Cider Tastings, Shopping & More Details Apple House Market at Arbor Day Farm, 2611 Arbor Ave, Nebraska City, NE 68410 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM 25 Apr Sat Plant and Tree Sale Details Apple House Market at Arbor Day Farm, 2611 Arbor Ave. Nebraska City, NE 68410 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM 25 Apr Sat Orchard Tours Details Union Orchard 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM 25 Apr Sat Wine Tasting Details Central Apple Market 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM 25 Apr Sat Wine Tastings Details Union Orchard 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM 25 Apr Sat Yard Games Details Union Orchard 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM 25 Apr Sat Little Heroes, Big Futures Details Nebraska City Museum of Firefighting 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM 25 Apr Sat Food Court Details Behind Arbor Bank 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM (or later!) 25 Apr Sat Show & Shine Car Show Details Kimmel Orchard & Vineyard, 5995 G Rd., Nebraska City, NE 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM 25 Apr Sat Arbor Day Weekend Activities at Tree Adventure Details Tree Adventure at Arbor Day Farm, 2611 Arbor Ave. Nebraska City, NE 68410 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM 25 Apr Sat Parade Stop Details Central Apple Market 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM 25 Apr Sat Children's Entrepreneur Market (Part of the Home, Craft, and Garden Market) Details Eagle's Club 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM 25 Apr Sat Arbor Day Parade Details Central Ave. from 16th Street east to 6th Street 1:00 PM 25 Apr Sat A Story of Place: Native Plants and Lilacs in Nebraska Details Lied Greenhouse at Arbor Day Farm 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM 25 Apr Sat Bloom Fest: Guided Lilac Trail Tours Details Arbor Lodge State Historical Park, 2600 Arbor Ave, Nebraska City, NE 68410 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM 25 Apr Sat Red, White & Bloom: Planting for America's 250 Years Details Lied Greenhouse at Arbor Day Farm 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM 25 Apr Sat Plant Bingo! Details Eagles Club 6:00 PM 25 Apr Sat America 250: Patriotic Parade | Nebraska Brass Details Veterans Memorial Building 7:00 PM 26 Apr Sun Fly-In Breakfast Details Nebraska City Airport, South Hwy 75 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM 26 Apr Sun Apple Trees & Pollinators Workshop Details Lied Greenhouse at Arbor Day Farm 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM 25 Apr Sat Apple Trees & Pollinators Workshop Details Lied Greenhouse at Arbor Day Farm 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM 26 Apr Sun Used Book Sale Details Morton-James Public Library 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM 26 Apr Sun Orchard Tours Details Union Orchard 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM 26 Apr Sun Wine Tasting Details Union Orchard 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM 26 Apr Sun Yard Games Details Union Orchard 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM 25 Apr Sat America the Beautiful: A Tour of Lilacs Details Lied Greenhouse at Arbor Day Farm 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM 26 Apr Sun Arbor Day Craft & Color Details Morton-James Public Library 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM 25 Apr Sat Lilac Preservation and the International Lilac Society Details Lied Greenhouse at Arbor Day Farm 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM 26 Apr Sun Best of the Midwest Bloody Mary Championship Details Eagles Club, 600 1st Corso 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM 26 Aor Sun Celebrating American Heritage: Trees Details Arbor Lodge State Historical Park & Mansion, 2600 Arbor Ave. Nebraska City, NE 68410 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM 26 Apr Sun Plant and Tree Sale Details Apple House Market at Arbor Day Farm, 2611 Arbor Ave. Nebraska City, NE 68410 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM 26 Apr Sun Wine and Cider Tastings, Shopping & More Details Apple House Market at Arbor Day Farm, 2611 Arbor Ave, Nebraska City, NE 68410 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM 26 Apr Sun Arbor Day Weekend Activities at Tree Adventure Details Tree Adventure at Arbor Day Farm, 2611 Arbor Ave. Nebraska City, NE 68410 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM 26 Apr Sun Bloom Fest: Guided Lilac Trail Tours Details Arbor Lodge State Park, 2600 Arbor Ave, Nebraska City, NE 68410 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM 26 Apr Sun Centennial Flag Display Details Wildwood Historic Center, 420 Steinhart Park Rd, Nebraska City, NE 68410 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM 26 Apr Sun Colonial Fun and Games: A Historical Play Day Details Wildwood Historic Center, 420 Steinhart Park Rd, Nebraska City, NE 68410 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM 26 Apr Sun 250th Art Challenge:Postcard Art Invite Details Wildwood Historic Center, 420 Steinhart Park Rd, Nebraska City, NE 68410 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM To play, press and hold the enter key. 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Food Court Behind Arbor Bank 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM (or later!) Sat Apr 25 Previous Event Next Event

Arbor Day 5K/Kids Run Woodland Grove behind Lied Lodge at Arbor Day Farm 5K @ 9:00 AM / Kids Run @ 10:00 AM Sat Apr 25 Run or walk in the footsteps of J. Sterling Morton! All will start and finish at the Woodland Grove behind Lied Lodge at Arbor Day Farm. Check-in begins 30 minutes before each race. Packet pick-up will be Wed., April 22, 2026 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the NCTC Office or the morning of the event on-site. Route details will be available here before the start of the event. Previous Event Next Event Register

Holidays November - December 2026 Shop Nebraska City First Date TBD It’s time to shop local! For each $25 a shopper spends at a participating retailer, they will receive a Proof of Purchase card. Shoppers return their Proof of Purchase card(s) to NCTC by Monday, December 1, at 5:00 PM. On Tuesday, December 2, 2025, NCTC will draw from Proof of Purchase entries. Winners will be paired with prize baskets (at least $50 value) provided by each participating retailer. It’s that simple! A complete list of participating retailers will be published in early November. Twelve Days of Christmas with Holli Day Dates TBD Check out Holli Day on our Facebook page; she is giving away hundreds of dollars in gift certificates to participating businesses! All you have to do is comment on her picture! Holli will post on weekdays during this campaign. Special thanks to our Sponsors To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

Celebrate Nebraska City Annual Banquet January 24, 2026 Nebraska City Tourism & Commerce presents the 101st Annual Celebrate Nebraska City Banquet. Lourdes Central Catholic Gym 5:30 PM Reception / Silent Auction Begins 6:30 PM Dinner / Live Auction / Entertainment We will announce the winners of the: Business of the Year Organization of the Year Individual of the Year Golden Apple Award Get tickets HERE ! Nominate a business/individual/organization for an award and/or Nominate a Board of Directors candidate at this LINK . Directors Nomination Deadline: October 31, 2025 Award Nomination Deadline: December 17, 2025 Special thanks to our Sponsors To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

Bloom Bar The Keeping Room - 717 Central Ave 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Sat Apr 25 We will help you create a fresh bouquet of stems with the purchase of a Keeping Room vase at 25% off! Previous Event Next Event

America 250: Patriotic Parade | Nebraska Brass Veterans Memorial Building 7:00 PM Sat Apr 25 Enjoy Nebraska Brass performing at the Memorial Building. Be entertained by the ensemble’s style and precision, along with their engaging and lighthearted commentary. Previous Event Next Event More Information

Parade Stop Central Apple Market 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM Sat Apr 25 Stop by and enjoy a boxed lunch and parade goodies as the parade goes by! Previous Event Next Event More Info