Now in its 27th year, the annual Harvest Festival is one of the premier events on the western Nebraska calendar, held the third weekend of September every year. Thousands of travelers from throughout Nebraska and neighboring states come to Legacy of the Plains for a rare glimpse of antique farm machinery in action — and the chance for hands-on participation.

Harvest tubers to take home in the pick-your-own potato patch (price depends on the size of the container). There are demonstrations of antique equipment centering around the year's featured crop – dry edible beans. Other aspects of the family-friendly event include daily parades of horse-drawn equipment and tractors; food vendors; demonstrations of blacksmithing; small engines, and bean sorting; and kids' activities, including a hay bale fort, pedal tractor course, a barrel train ride, and games. Available livestock for viewing will be chickens, oxen, and goats.

Inside, we will have live music, "Our Heritage through Food" cookbook, and bake sale.

Schedule:

Hours of Operation

Saturday, September 16

9:00          Gates Open                                                                                   

9:00 – 5:00 Potato Patch Open                                                                      

9:00 – 4:30 Free Wagon Rides

9:30 – 11:00 Hand, Horse, and Tractor Forage Harvest                                   

10:00 – Noon Local Musicians                                                                     

1:00 – 2:00 Horse, Tractor & Equipment Parade                                         

2:00 – 4:00 Hand, Horse, and Tractor Forage Harvest       

Sunday, September 17

9:00 – 10:00 am Church Service

10:00 – 4:00 Gates open and Potato Patch

10:00 – 4:30 Free Wagon Rides

10:00 – 11:00 Hand, Horse, and Tractor Forage Harvest

10:00 – Noon Local Musicians

1:00 – 2:00 Horse , Tractor & Equipment Parade

2:00 – 4:00 Hand, Horse, and Tractor Forage Harvest

Date: September 16-17,2023

Location: Legacy of the Plains Museum, 2930 Old Oregon Trail, Gering, NE 69341

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