Celebrating greater Nebraska this summer

Small Towns

For three weekends this summer, the Center for Rural Affairs will traverse Nebraska for the sake of local music and rural communities. The Good Living Tour is returning for its second year, and the Center is proud to co-sponsor again.

Created and produced by Hear Nebraska, the Good Living Tour is a multi-media presentation highlighting the unique opportunities available in greater Nebraska. Three different bands covering different genres and a DJ, all with Nebraska roots, will put on an eclectic show for each of 12 communities. A film crew will present a video with interviews of young professionals speaking about what makes their communities a great place to work and live.

We’re especially excited about the show on July 30, in our hometown of Lyons. The show will take place at the Storefront Theatre, our award winning public art space.

All shows are free, open to the public, and family friendly.

So many great memories were made last year: children dancing in downtown North Platte to a funk band; thunderstorms in Ogallala and Nebraska City unable to put a damper on festivities; the crowd in Grand Island celebrating their community with local food and lively music; and many more.

But my favorite times came from the people who visited our booth or stopped me in the crowd to learn about the Center. They wanted to learn more about our work to build a more vibrant rural America: moms who wanted to learn more about our farm to school work; concerned citizens who have neighbors that fall into the Medicaid coverage gap; or people with new business ideas to help build their communities.

It’s meeting the people who want to invest in and celebrate their communities that make this trip exciting and special. We hope you can make it out to see all the fun that can happen when we celebrate our rural communities.

More information for each show can be found at Hear Nebraska. Check us out in Ord on July 21, Kearney on July 22, Grand Island on July 23, Red Cloud on July 24, Hastings on July 28, Norfolk on July 29, Lyons on July 30, O'Neill on July 31, Grant on Aug. 4, Sidney on Aug. 5, Imperial on Aug. 6 and McCook on Aug. 7.