Your reply to..."What are we going to do for the 4th of July???"

What a question...."What are you doing for July 4th?" Like it's your place to make the plans for a big celebration...one person...how are you going to do it????

It can be a tough one to answer...clearly you'd like lake activities, grilling, fireworks, but....where?

Right here in Valentine, Nebraska! There's everything you'd need right here to celebrate your July 4th holiday right. Not too far away either.

We have many amenities....

We have Merritt Reservoir...

We have the Niobrara River....

We have golf at Frederick Peak...

And of course several waterfalls!!!

As for the rest! We have that covered as well!

We have the parade at 11:00 a.m.

Because no July 4th is ever July 4th without a parade.

Immediately afterwards, head over to the Valentine High School where you can listen to the recitation of the Declaration of Independence that our forefathers wrote and signed. Because of their audacity - their bravery to fight a crown across the ocean - we have many freedoms to enjoy daily! George and Martha Washington are always there and do appreciate a helping hand.

You have opportunities now to head back to the water, get in that round of golf on the Tom Lehman and Chris Brands designed course...take a nap, or enjoy some terrific BBQ!

In the distance you may hear the roar of the engines who are competing in a smash 'em up,  bonafide, good old fashioned demolition derby!!! You can win prize money if you get there early enough and bid on the right car.

 Finally as the sky turns velvet...it's time for the Lions Club sponsored Rockets Red Glare!

There are lots of ways to celebrate July 4th and now when someone asks, "Hey, what should we do for July 4th?" You have an awesome answer...and it's not too far down the road... "We're going to go to Valentine, Nebraska!!! With people who will make us feel right at home!!!"

Thank you in advance for coming to our celebration of America's 241st Birthday!

Remember SandhillsWesternVacations.com and each of the sponsors  - click on their ad for more information to make your 4 season, family fun, the ticket for your Nebraska adventure!

We are FREE!!! Time to celebrate!

My parents told me I could do anything I wanted to do. Some countries don't have that luxury. Some men and women already have their futures mapped out for them. But we are free from those encumbrances! And joyfully so!

So come to the Heart City where we will celebrate our freedom with a little mingling from the east, some from the south, and some from the heart!

The festivities begin at 10:00 a.m. when the July 4th parade will begin marching down Valentine's Main Street. So patriotic! Prizes are awarded and the theme is Celebrate Freedom! 

Then to cover the eastern part of the U.S.A. when we remember the original 13 colonies who cherished their independence! The Declaration of Independence will be read and the bell rung for the 13 colonies, for each soldier from our area keeping our country free, and anyone who happens to be at Badger Memorial Field on Green Street, is welcomed to ring the bell for their state or in honor of a service member. 

Picnic...nap....or tune up your jalopy for the Cherry County Ag Society's Demolition Derby!!!! A bang-up good time a little southern style! 

And as the sky turns velvety blue, a few stars will sparkle along with the Lions Club sponsored fireworks and that will get get your heart going! 

We're celebrating America's 240th birthday, and paying tribute to the men and women who gave their all and then some for another year of Celebrating our FREEDOM! Remember you can do anything...and let's make America great again...one nation under God!

Happy 240th Birthday America from the sponsors at SandhillsWesternVacations.com We invite you to come and enjoy what the Sandhills have to offer - It's your four season family fun, ticket 4 adventure! Check out the Schedule of events for July and August at the  2016 Schedule of Events...there's a lot coming up for you to enjoy!

Things to be thankful for...deer family and friends!

Oh, my deers, what a wonderful time of year to count your blessings...

Make sure you try all the goodies on the table! Including the squash and cranberries!

Hey...no faces...just try it!

Love all of those...even those who are difficult...they do teach you lessons you will be thankful to learn...and will come in handy during your lifetime.

Here's hoping your Thanksgiving is more special than a million bucks as you enjoy all your deer family and friends...


Remember to stop by Valentine, NE, Saturday, November 28, for the inaugural Valentine's Heart of Christmas Celebration...festivities begin at 6:00 p.m. along Valentine's Main Street. Santa's coming to town and will end up at Santa's Headquarter's at the  Co-op, on the corner of Main and First Street.
a Spaghetti Feed will be held at the United Methodist Church, along with a live Nativity!

Come out and enjoy...count your many blessings...from all of us at SandhillsWesternVacations.com...your four season, family fun, place for Nebraska adventure.

What's coming up in Valentine, Nebraska? Things to be thankful for!!!

We've had an amazing fall...which is leading us into all that there is to be thankful for! We're thankful for all of the communities in the Sandhills who are going to usher in Thanksgiving and Christmas with a bevy of activities.

We'd love for you to participate! First up, this little poem...

Yes, Holiday Preview will be held in Valentine, Nebraska, Sunday, November 22, from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m., and Santa will be at Viaero from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

You'll want to capture the spirit of Christmas of course! And it will be in all the shops!!!

Whether they're on Valentine's Main Street or not....the spirit will be there!

Remember, you have a week to fill out your punch card for the Valentine Chamber of Commerce's $500 give-a-way, so

S-L-O-W D-O-W-N!!!!!

Dean from Valentine's Chamber of Commerce will gather the punch cards Saturday, November 28, and announce the winner at noon!!!

Be sure to stick around, because that's when the inaugural Valentine's Heart of Christmas celebration  will take place! Oh the fun you'll have watching floats adorned with lights head down Main Street!

No matter the weather, the parade will end at Fifth Street, so everyone can stay warm! Santa will be coming back to town with the parade and his headquarters will be at the co-op on the corner of Main and First Street. Mrs. Claus will be there as well which means....cookies!!

Stop what you're doing and come enjoy the lights of Christmas, Saturday, November 28!! More and more activities are being added; stop by their Facebook page: Valentine's Heart of Christmas Celebration to catch up!

Art will be on display in the old theatre building, refreshments, drawing for a quilt created especially for this event by Yvonne Hollenbeck!

The United Methodist Church will have a live nativity and is hosting a spaghetti feed with a free will donation from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Then, Saturday, December 12, will be the Bowring Christmas celebration in Merriman, NE! Diane and her crew serve up the best meal, and the Twin River Band will be entertaining after Santa makes his arrival! More details on that to come!

Not sure what to expect? It's a new family every year...and if you came alone, then you will leave with new friends!

See...there are a lot of things to be thankful for...great communities, values, fun, activities, and the love of Christmas' Spirit!

Let our sponsors help you with your four season, family fun, vacation plans!!! Trade Winds Lodge, can help you with accommodations, and you can get excellent food to go at Henderson's IGA. 

Why not get a gift certificate for a trip Niobrara National Scenic River with  Brewers Canoers and Tubers ?

Nim-Rods Bait Store has all you could ever need or want for your fishing excursion - poles, live bait, bobbers, jigs, hooks, and plenty of refreshments - there will be ice shortly! Berry Creek Gun and Pawn Shop, has everything you could ever want in the way of firearms, ammo, and reloading supplies - conveniently located right down the street from The Quilting Cupboard, which has western prints, wool, cotton and batik fabric, along with patterns from Fear Not Pattern Co perfect little projects for this season! 

For a one of a kind gift that is uniquely yours, head over to Outback Screenprinting and Embroidery at their new location!!!. 

The Valentine Chamber of Commerce has a plethora of brochures that will have you coming back this fall... make sure you stop by and pick some up today!

Remember...the Sandhills are your four season, family fun, ticket 4 Adventure....come find out why at SandhillsWesternVacations.com!!! And while you're here for Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations, remember, there's a lot more coming up! Stay tuned...we welcome you and your family!!!