ANSELMO – Anselmo’s famous Big Sky Jubilee is returning for another summer; this year, the festival looks to highlight its hometown and the people in it with the theme “Celebrate Anselmo.”
Scheduled for June 16 through June 18, the festival will provide food and fun to anyone looking to celebrate what makes Anselmo and its surrounding communities remarkable.
The weekend kicks off on Friday with an afternoon of BBQ; a Calcutta starts at 12:30 p.m. and will last until 7 p.m., when a grilling champion will be crowned.
At 7:30, comedian Austin Anderson will perform east of the ballfield, and from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. that evening, bounce houses will be inflated all across the ballfield.
About 12 hours later on Saturday morning, the festivities continue with an 8 a.m. pancake feed at the Anselmo Fire Hall sponsored by the Anselmo-Merna School Board. At the same time, co-ed softball will get underway.
Both events will be followed by a 10 a.m. parade check-in and lineup at the old schoolyard, and an hour later, at 11, the parade will march down Main Street.
Food and refreshment for the afternoon will be provided by Cajun Prairie Food Truck and The Secret Garden near the parade route, and concessions at the ballfield will be provided by St. Anselm’s Altar Society. Lunch after the parade will be served by the Veterans Memorial Wall Committee at the park; celebrants are encouraged to bring a chair to ensure a place to sit.
Saturday afternoon promises a tractor pull at the old schoolyard at noon, and horseshoe and cornhole tournaments at FUBAR at 1 p.m.
West of the Fire Hall, kids’ games and races will kick off at 1:30, followed by a 2:30 scavenger hunt north of the Market & Mill. The turtle race check-in is scheduled for 3:30, and at 4:30 p.m., check-in for the Mid-Nebraska Pedal Pullers will take place west of the fire hall.
Finally, the 4/13 Fire Department Appreciation event will begin at 5 at the Anselmo Fire Hall, followed by a street dance to last until midnight.
Sunday offers two events to close out the celebration: sand volleyball at 10 a.m., and a noon ranch rodeo. A full itinerary for the festival is attached.
