CHADRON – In a hopeful sign of a return to normal life, Fur Trade Days is slated to resume its annual celebration, scheduled for July 7-11, 2021.
The multi-day event is set to feature Mac’s Carnival (Thursday through Saturday) and live entertainment Friday and Saturday, downtown and at the Dawes County Courthouse lawn. The Dylan Bloom Band, a midwest Country Rock band, will play Saturday night during the downtown street dance and The String Beans, a family-friendly group out of Lincoln, will play Friday evening at the Dawes County Courthouse. FTD, Inc. is exploring options for more live music downtown.
The Traders’ Market and cultural performances are planned to return to the courthouse lawn.
Additional details about the events lineup and procedures related to COVID-19 health guidelines will be addressed, event organizers announced on Monday.
"We are committed to the health and safety of attendees and organizers,” FTD President Dave Hockenbary said. “Enhanced safety measures, based on the latest guidance from city, county, and state government health officials will be in place.”
Any required safety measures will be published prior to the event.
Sponsorships and donations from local businesses and residents are being accepted to help offset the rising cost of hosting the festival. As the event grows, so does the projected cost of hosting the festival, which has risen from approximately $5,000 in 2015 to over $56,000 in 2019. Live music and the carnival are the two largest expenses, but are consistently the largest draws at the event.
Fur Trade Days, Inc. is aware of the financial hardships and negative economic impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on local businesses. In spite of that hardship, we are committed to bring Fur Trade Days back, bigger and better as a driver to our local economy.
“We empathize with our local businesses who have taken a hit during this pandemic,” Hockenbary said. “In the past, our event has relied on local sponsorships to thrive. We are working to find additional sources of income to ensure this year’s event can happen.”
The FTD, Inc. board is energized and eager to produce the festival after a year off and looks forward to partnering and sharing its excitement with the community.
To keep up with the latest on Fur Trade Days 2021, visit furtradedays.com or Facebook.com/FurTradeDays.