Join the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission in celebrating the parks system centennial year with a two-day birthday bash June 11-12 at Chadron State Park.
The event will feature nighttime laser light shows, a competitive run, car show and more throughout the park, which was established in 1921 as Nebraska’s first state park.
Highlights also will include a historical plaque dedication at 9 a.m. Saturday outside the main office overlooking the pond; the grand opening of the new Chadron State Park Shooting Complex at 10 a.m. at the main picnic area; and laser light shows by Laser Spectacles at 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the sports field. Light show attendees are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets as seating is limited.
Recreation opportunities won’t be lacking at the signature event either.
The annual Run for the Hills foot race (a 1-mile, 5k or 10k run across the rugged Pine Ridge); Regatta Race; bounce house; and treasure dive promise to keep people of all ages busy.
Other activities will include horseback rides, free paddleboat rides, free archery and pellet gun shooting, nature and blacksmithing displays, and a lunch that includes bison sloppy joes, chips, beans and a drink for 100 cents — one penny for each year the state has been a park.
Among the displays and vendors will be Game and Parks’ trailers showcasing wildlife, Nebraska park history, and taxidermy mounts confiscated because of game violations.
The anniversary celebration is free to the public, but a Nebraska Park Entry Permit is required for vehicles.
Download the event flier HERE.
![](https://parks100.outdoornebraska.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/JH20170709_3228-1024x576.jpg)
Justin Haag, NEBRASKAland Magazine, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
Schedule of events
Friday
5 p.m.: Food vendors open at the sports field.
6 p.m.: Beer garden opens at the sports field.
7 p.m.: Live music by The Bar Flies at the sports field.
10 p.m.: Laser light show at the sports field.
Saturday
8 a.m.: Run for the Hills, 1-Mile, 5k, 10k beginning at Overlook Road. Register at pineridgetrailsraceseries.com.
9 a.m.: Paddleboat and kayak rides at the lagoon; Dutch-oven demonstration and natural activities at the main picnic area; fisheries shock boat, trailer and touch tank at the lagoon; historical plaque dedication at the main office.
10 a.m.: Naturalist and raptor recovery displays at the lagoon parking lot; car, truck and motorcycle show behind the main office; stagecoach rides at the stables; bounce house at the picnic area; wildlife display at the picnic area; history and poaching trailer displays at the Trading Post; and Chadron State Park Shooting Complex grand opening, which will be followed by free pellet gun and archery shooting until 6 p.m.
10:30 a.m.: Moment in Time group photo at the sports field, open to all. Those who participate in the group photo and stay for the 11 a.m. celebration will receive special commemorative items and shooting range tokens.
11 a.m.: Welcome to the 100th Anniversary Celebration at the sports field; food vendors open.
Noon: Blacksmith demonstration at the picnic area; raptor recovery display at the lagoon parking lot; bison sloppy joes at the Trading Post.
1 p.m.: Dutch-oven demonstration and natural activities at the main picnic area.
1:30 p.m.: Car, truck and motorcycle show award ceremony behind the main office.
2 p.m.: Raptor recovery display at the lagoon parking lot; regatta registration at the lagoon.
2:30 p.m.: Regatta Race at the lagoon.
3:00 p.m.: Dutch-oven demonstration and natural activities at the main picnic area.
5 p.m.: Treasure Dive at the pool; food vendors and beer garden open at the sports field.
7 p.m.: Live music by Twin River Band at the sports field.
10 p.m.: Laser light show at the sports field.
![](https://parks100.outdoornebraska.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/SignatureEvents-1024x738.jpg)
More signature events
Events slated for July 10 at Victoria Springs State Recreation Area and Oct. 2 at Arbor Lodge State Historical Park will celebrate the state’s first recreation area and first state historical park.