Nebraska’s Independence Day City Prepares
Seward County Anticipates Over 50,000 Guests
SEWARD, Neb. (KLKN) – Every year nearly 40,000 visitors head to Seward. Celebrations fill the city on July 4 every year since 1868 and this semiquincentennial is no different.
Celebrations have been directed by local high school and college-age students since 1969. The Seward community has been celebrating in the same town square since before then.
Seward hosts a parade, a new exhibit at the National Guard Museum, a car show, a home decorating contest, a corn hole tournament and a “free, giant firework extravaganza” according to the Fourth of July in Seward website.
Concordia Nebraska (CUNE) participates in the parade as well.
“We in the Concordia Nebraska community have the unique and wonderful opportunity to live and work in a place that many visit each year to celebrate our country’s independence,” said Concordia Nebraska Senior Director of Outreach, Relations and Engagement Jennifer Furr. “For more than 100 years, Concordia Nebraska has partnered with the community for these July 4 festivities. It is an honor to join with our neighbors near and far to give thanks for God’s blessings to these United States, and to spend quality time with family, friends and colleagues celebrating through the many wonderful festivities and events that take place in our small town.”
During the celebrations, CUNE faculty will be giving presentations related to the history of Seward and more. The Seward County High School Chamber Choir will perform, directed by Dr. Kurt von Kampen, the chair of the music department at CUNE.
As Seward has been named “Nebraska’s Official 4th of July City” by the 1973 Nebraska Gov. J. James Exon, tourists come from both out of and in state.
The theme for this year’s celebration is “One Nation – Many Stories.”
The weekend will consist of over 125 events spanning from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on July 3 and 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on July 4. On Sunday, volunteers of Seward come together to clean up and make the event ‘litter-free’.
The official 1973 proclamation of J. James Exon states, “WHEREAS the City of Seward, State of Nebraska, annually plays host to the State in a celebration on the Fourth of July, emphasizing national patriotism, community pride and community cooperation”, marking Seward as the hosting grounds for Nebraska every Independence Day.
