Welcome to Heritage Days' in Merna, Nebraska

This year we're celebrating the 25th Annual Heritage Days' & Merna's 125th Anniversary!  The event will be held on July 6th - 8th in Merna, NE.

Did you ever wonder what  the first  Heritage Days was like?  In an excerpt from the Heritage Memories Book, Margaret Hall  Baller describes how she felt when she arrived at the very first Heritage Days Celebration  in 1987:

"...the town was in full swing with barrels and ropes barricading the whole Main Street. The town was alive, bustling with activity and enthusiasm.  We were in complete awe of all the entrants in a town so small. The parade involved so many people we wondered who would be left to view it. Well, we were in for a surprise! For as the parade turned from the side street to Main Street, there was a sea of people, eagerly looking our way."

"Saturday afternoon was kept in an uproar, due to all the fun games. Because we spent a considerable amount of time visiting celebrants, most of them we didn't know, we missed a few of those games. The barbecue at the dinner hour was held in a park. The crowd devouring the food was equal to about three times the population of Merna, I assume approximately 1000 people were served.  

"We extend our thanks and gratitude to the Heritage Committee for their unusual talents in being able to put together such a very successful day that will be long-remembered far into the next century.  We have tremendous respect and admiration for the planners, the dreamers, and the doers of this spectacular history of one hundred years past.  Thank you and the town of Merna!  We loved every minute of it!"

History

There were 70 entries in the first Heritage Days parade which Vickie Caudle chaired.  Sue Heffner, Gloria Smith, and Deb Chapin helped her in lining up all the entries. The grand marshals in the parade were all couples from the Merna community who had been married for 50 years or longer by the end of 1987. Nearly 900 years of married life were represented.      

The East Table Club was the overall winner followed by the So and Sew Club.  Other winners were Jim Downey family (Organizations), Reynold's Livestock (Business), Rex & Marvella May (Horse-drawn rig), Amy Seda (Horse & rider under 16), Lewis Swick (Horse & rider over 16), Holly Estes (Bicycle), Mac's Grain (Youth Novelty), Wayne Wright (Antique Car), Steve Hostick (Antique Equipment).  Judges were Terry Weise, Bette Hardy, Margaret Ann Neal, and Phylbert Scott.  Cheryl Smith of KBBN and Matt Downey announced. Other activities that year were the bed races, mud volleyball games, kids races, tricycle & bicycle races, foot races, and raffle. 

New alumni officers elected were Joan Downey, president;  Donald Cantrell, vice-president; Patsy Downey, secretary; and Helen Reynolds, treasurer. The theme for this year's Heritage Days' is "Pages from the Past".

Theme: "Pages from the Past" - Tee Shirt Ordering Information

Greetings A-M Alumni,

This year marks the 125th year of Merna and the 25th Heritage Day celebration and Merna's 125th Anniversary!  The Heritage Committee wanted to make T-shirts available to you to commemorate this special occasion. 

We encourage you to place your order in advance.  They will be packaged and ready for you to pick up on Saturday, July 7th in the Community Building.  We will also have a limited quantity available during the weekend.  If you are unable to attend but would like a shirt it can be shipped to you.  Shipping charge will be $5.25 for up to three shirts.  Check out the designs and colors below.

"MERNA"		"WAGON"	"WHEEL" If you would like to order a Merna 125 year celebration shirt, please fill out the bottom portion of the provided Order Form and return to: Merna Heritage Committee C/o Annette Downey  PO Box 84 Merna, NE  68856.   Make Checks payable to Merna Heritage Day Committee in the amount of $15.00 per shirt. 2XL and up are $18.00 *These shirts are Gildan heavy 100% cotton preshrunk.
FOREST GREEN	BLUE
RED	PURPLE

 

For questions feel free to call Annette at 308-643-2463 during the day or evenings at 308-643-9304.