William Loudon established Superior in April of 1875 and consequently the community’s 150th birthday could be celebrated in 2025.
There is precedent for the community celebrating milestone birthdays.
In 1940 and 1941 the community presented big celebrations known as Cavalcades. Hundreds of people were involved in the multi-day productions and thousands of people attended. The railroads even brought special trains to Superior and joined in the celebration. The first year the Cavalcade was held in April. The next year it was held in the fall. For both events, many who attended had close ties to the early years and they were eager to celebrate their community’s progress.
The arrival of World War II shut down the celebration which may have become an annual event. It wasn’t until 1950 and the 75th anniversary of the community’s founding that a large scale celebration was again held.
In 1967 the community, like many Nebraska community’s, went all out to observe the 100th anniversary of the state’s founding. Superior held a multi-day celebration centered around July 4th.
In 1971, it was time to celebrate the founding of Nuckolls County and a big celebration was held on the fairgrounds at Nelson. According to Dick Schott, the celebration committee chairman, more than 1,000 volunteers helped to stage that celebration.
In 1975, it was Superior’s turn to celebrate a centennial. That event was held on June 13, 14 and 15
In the 1980s the community came together to celebrate July 4th in style with a number of activities starting with the Firekracher Run and culminating with a free fireworks show. Members of many Superior organizations participated and the day’s proceeds were earmarked for community improvement projects. While the number of participating organizations and events have declined, some features of the July 4th celebration have continued through the years.
In more recent years the emphasis has been on the Lady Vestey Victorian Festival held on Memorial Day weekend.
Last Wednesday a small group of people who have helped with the Vestey Festival in recently years met at the Superior Chamber of Commerce to review the 2024 festival and begin planning for 2025.
As 2025 will be a birthday year, they would like to expand the festival and make it a birthday party. The year 2025 marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of Lady Vestey and the 150th anniversary of the founding of Superior. To do the celebration up in style, many volunteers and supporters will be needed.
It was suggested moving the date away from Memorial Day, would increase both the number of people attending and the number willing to help. The first weekend in June has been proposed as the 2025 celebration date.
Another planning meeting will be held in early August.
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