The festival brings in visitors from over 40 states and multiple foreign countries and boosts the area’s economy with an over $21 million impact. Nearly 98,000 people in total participated in the 2019 celebration one way or another. The festival has evolved in many ways, including adding a Taps and Tunes event that features Nebraska based beers and whiskeys, a kickball tournament in the rodeo arena and recruiting Carnival Americana in 2019. NEBRASKAland Days is an 11-day celebration that hosts the largest outdoor rodeo in the state and draws national acts to perform in its two-night concert series. The Outstanding Event Award for communities with populations 10,000 or greater was awarded to NEBRASKAland DAYS in North Platte. New events paired with additional out-of-state marketing efforts resulted in over 80,000 people coming to Nebraska City to partake in all things apple for the weekend, one of the most successful years the festival ever had. Old favorites like water barrel fights were also brought back for the anniversary. New events were designed and implemented for the 50th year, including the taste of AppleJack and the AppleJack Royalty Float. In 2018, the AppleJack Festival celebrated its 50th anniversary. The Outstanding Event Award for communities with populations up to 9,999 went to The 50th Annual AppleJack Festival in Nebraska City. In Nebraska Life’s 23 years, they’ve shed light on the very best Nebraska has to offer and captured it beautifully in their magazine. Nebraska Life supports the industry by partnering with tourism entities in the state to create local guides like Journey to Western Nebraska and by taking travelers on week long tours that highlight different parts of the state. Since 1997, Nebraska Life Magazine has worked hard to promote Nebraska events and attractions. The Friend of Tourism Award went to Nebraska Life Magazine. They’ve been an active part of the Northeast Nebraska Travel Group and of Knox County Tourism, continually helping to promote their area. Not only were members of this family busy with their own tourism operation, but they have always taken part in their community’s tourism. Tourists were able to ride in covered wagons to hand feed and pet the Elk and Bison. From 1995 to 2018, the Kreycik Family offered a unique experience in Nebraska giving Elk and Buffalo tours on their ranch near Niobrara. The 2019 Henry Fonda Award, the state’s highest tourism award representing leadership, vision and dedication to the tourism industry, went to The Kreycik Family. Governor Pete Ricketts recorded a video to congratulate all of the 2019 award winners, “your awards are much deserved and I appreciate everything you’re doing to help make Nebraska a fun and welcoming destination to visit.” News Director/Midday Anchor/Reporter/Producer for KNOP-TV in North Platte, Jacque Harms, with help from John Ricks and the Nebraska Tourism Commission Chair, Roger Kuhn, announced the following 2019 Nebraska Tourism Industry Award winners. “From the creative marketing campaigns, to the unique events and destinations that give visitors a memorable experience, there are a lot of amazing things going on in Nebraska to help bring travelers here.” “Our deepest congratulations go to all of the 2019 award winners,” said John Ricks, Nebraska Tourism Commission executive director. The event closed out the annual Nebraska Tourism Conference organized by the Nebraska Tourism Commission and hosted by Visit North Platte. Nebraska tourism industry members honored the hard work and dedication of their peers at the Celebrate Nebraska Awards Banquet on Wednesday night at the Sandhills Convention Center in North Platte. Nebraskaland Days received recognition for Outstanding Event for communities with populations 10,000 or greater at the Nebraska Tourism Conference in North Platte on Wednesday.
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