Lincoln residents celebrate Memorial Day without travel fees

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN)- Dozens of Lincolnites started enjoying their Memorial Day weekend on Saturday, without traveling out of state.

Residents  opted out of higher airfares and gas prices for the weekend, and instead occupied the Pawnee Recreational Area for the holiday.

One Lincoln resident, Dennis, said gas prices affected his family’s trip to Tennessee for the weekend.

“It’s real pricey to try to move around today and it’s costly so, I’d take it better just enjoying it at home with the family,” he said.

AAA predicted over 39 million Americans would be traveling 50 miles or more from home, but many felt the sting of the higher prices.

Another resident, Tim, shared car problems and traveling expenses stumped his plans to go to Colorado.

‘Initially, we did have plans to go to Colorado this week, but some car problems happened there so, things like that kept us here not that we would’ve been doing much different other than spending money, ” said Tim.

According to Nebraska’s Department of Environment and Energy, gas prices are nearly 5 dollars are gallon and residents are choosing to relax without paying higher prices.