Who Came News of 2006 Event KEARNEY, Neb. - Midway between UT and Nauvoo, IL, The Great Platte River Road Archway Monument in partnership with the City of Kearney, the Trails and Rails Museum and Fort Kearney will be hosting the "150th Anniversary of the Handcart Pioneers," the biggest and only two-day celebration on the actual Mormon Trail, on Fri., June 2 and Sat., June 3, 2006. To pay tribute to these handcart pioneers there will be two fun filled days of education and entertainment for the whole family. Individuals will learn the stories of the trails, including the Willie and Martin handcart company expeditions. Activities are free to the public and will include participation in handcart treks, handcart demonstrations, 1850s living history displays, book signings, genealogy presentations, national speakers, period dances, authentic food experiences, entertainment on the big stage, wagon rides, the dedication of a National Park Service sign marking the first sighting of buffalo during the original 1847 trek and candlelight tours of handcart tales (mini one act plays). "During this two-day, fun filled celebration we will honor these courageous pioneers," said Phil Kozera, Executive Director of the Archway. "Once again the wheels of handcarts will cross the valley of the Platte, as they did 150 years ago." Between 1843 and 1869 nearly 360,000 pioneers packed up their belongings and crossed the Nebraska prairie on the Oregon, Mormon, and California Trails. The Mormon Trail sprang to life in 1846-1847 with the Mormon Exodus from Nauvoo, IL to the Great Salt Lake Valley in UT. In 1856 the church introduced handcart company expeditions. Handcarts were a wagon of a different kind, requiring no draft animals, yet holding enough supplies for pioneers to cross the country and begin a new life. Join in the fun and learn about handcart pioneers and their magnificent journeys. Kearney's Trails and Rails Museum and historic Fort Kearny will also be hosting activities throughout the weekend. Join in an actual handcart trek being led by the direct descendent of the original Captain Willie. Captain Paul Willey will lead the handcart trek as his ancestor did 150 years ago. Don't miss this opportunity to go west. Participants may sign up to walk in memory for one of their own ancestors or for another pioneer and receive a certificate of participation. Pre-registration is required for the 4 and 5 mile handcart treks on Saturday. Shorter treks of 1/4 to 2 miles are also available to be taken on both days and certificates given. Participants in the handcart treks are encouraged to dress in period clothing. All are encouraged to bring old blankets to sit on. For more specific information, check out the schedule of events on this website, or you may call The Great Platte River Road Archway Monument at 877-511-ARCH or 308-237-1000 or the Trails and Rails Museum at (308)234-3041 or visit Fort Kearny's web site. Specific web sites are located in the links section of this website. SCHEDULE OF 150th HANDCART PIONEERS CELEBRATION (2006) Friday June 2, 2006 Time Event Location 9:00 AM – 9:45 AM Films: The Handcart Story and trailer (45 min.) Frank & Maxine Morrison Learning Center 9:30 AM – 12:45 PM Handcart Trek Registration for Half, 1, 4, & 5 mile treks Living History Camp open to public Archway 10:00 AM Music and storytelling Main stage Find your ancestor computer search Inside Archway Films: The Handcart Story and trailer (45 min.) Frank & Maxine Morrison Learning Center 10:15 AM – 11:15 PM Storytellers & musical entertainment Inside Archway 10:30 AM Ft. Kearny Soldiers Firing Demonstration Main stage 11:00 AM – 11:30 PM Oxen demonstration with Dixon Ford Genealogy class By main stage Frank & Maxine Morrison Learning Center 11:30 AM Tony Clapier - Original Handcart & Handcart Construction Main stage Children’s games In front of Archway 11:45AM Films: The Handcart Story and trailer (45 min.) Frank & Maxine Morrison Learning Center 12:00/Noon Bill Hartley - History of the Handcart Main stage 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM Mike Ericksen & Emily Christensen Genealogy class Main stage Frank & Maxine Morrison Learning Center 1:00 PM - 1:30 PM National Park Sign Dedication Main stage 1:30 PM -2:30 PM Celebration: pioneer dance for all departure of handcarts Archway 2:00 PM Films: The Handcart Story and trailer (45 min.) Frank & Maxine Morrison Learning Center 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM Find your ancestor computer search Inside Archway 3:00 PM Films: The Handcart Story and trailer (45 min.) Frank & Maxine Morrison Learning Center 3:15 PM – 5:00 PM Registration & Treks re-open: ˝ , 1, (4 & 5) mile Living History Camp open Archway 3:30 PM Oxen demonstration with Dixon Ford By main stage 4:00 PM Paul Willie – The Willie Handcart Company Genealogy class Main stage Frank & Maxine Morrison Learning Center 4:45 PM - 5:45 Movie, “Legacy” Why the Mormon Trail Frank & Maxine Morrison Learning Center 5:00 PM – 5:30 Tony Clapier’s Original Handcart & Handcart Construction Main stage 5:00 PM Handcart Treks end for day Living History Camp closes to public Archway 6:45 PM – 9:30 PM Mike Ericksen & Emily Christensen -Music and storytelling Landes & Elaine Shepard – “Uncle Charlie” Rescue Stories Main stage 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM Candlelight Tours of Handcart Tales begin pick up free tickets Fri. at table – limited to 400 Archway 10:00 PM Area closed to general public Archway Saturday, June 3, 2006 Time Event Location 7:30 AM Registration for 4 & 5 mile handcart treks begin Archway Films: The Handcart Story and trailer (45 min.) Frank & Maxine Morrison Learning Center Pancake Breakfast Anticipated by Chuck Wagon 8:00 AM Tony Clapier - Original Handcart & Handcart Construction Main stage Find your ancestor computer search Inside Archway 8:30 AM Music & Entertainment Main stage Films: The Handcart Story and trailer (45 min.) Frank & Maxine Morrison Learning Center 9:00 AM Great Platte River Road Archway opens. Living History Camp opens to public. Handcarts assemble for 4 and 5 mile treks Archway 9:15 AM Handcart Farewell speeches Main stage 9:30 AM Handcarts depart for Trails & Rails Museum Archway Half mile and 1 mile handcart treks begin Archway Films: The Handcart Story and trailer (45 min.) Frank & Maxine Morrison Learning Center 9:45AM Music and storytellers Main stage 10:00 AM Children’s games In front of building 10:30 AM Oxen demonstration with Dixon Ford By main stage Gregory Franzwa - Driving Through Neb. in 1909 Frank & Maxine Morrison Learning Center 10:45 AM – 11:30 AM Smith Family Band On main stage 11:00 AM Ft. Kearny soldiers firing demonstration and training Near main stage Landes & Elaine Shepard – “Uncle Charlie” Rescue Stories On stage inside Archway 11:30 AM Mike Ericksen & Emily Christensen On stage inside Archway Films: The Handcart Story and trailer (45 min.) Frank & Maxine Morrison Learning Center 12:15 – 1:00 PM Smith Family Band Main stage 12:30 PM Genealogy class Frank & Maxine Morrison Learning Center 1:00 PM Bill Hartley – History of the Handcarts Main stage 1:15 AM Films: The Handcart Story and trailer (45 min.) Frank & Maxine Morrison Learning Center 1:30 PM Dixon Ford - Oxen demonstration Near main stage Children’s games In front of building 1:45 PM Grand Island City Singers On main stage 2:00 PM Storytellers On stage inside Archway 2:00 PM Lincoln Choir On main stage 2:15 PM Renae Hunt – Children Along the Trail On main stage 2:15 PM -2:45 PM Genealogy class Frank & Maxine Morrison Learning Center 2:30 PM Landes & Elaine Shepard – “Uncle Charlie” Rescue Stories On stage inside Archway 2:45 PM Grand Island City Singers On main stage 3:00 PM Lincoln Choir On main stage 3:15 PM Smith Family Band On the main stage 3:30 PM Oxen demonstration By main stage Approx. 3:30 PM Handcarts return and closing celebration At main stage 5:00 PM All 150th Handcart Activities end Archway 6:00 PM Great Platte River Road Archway & TrailBlaze Maze close Archway 7:00 PM Free Musical Concert on handcart pioneers by Jenny Phillips and choir At 46th St. and Ave. E Additional Events at the Trails and Rails Museum Friday, June 2nd, 2006 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Free preview to the public 4-9 pm Open Jam Session (acoustical instruments only) Refreshments will be available Saturday, June 3, 2006 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. 10:00-11:00 Riverdale Rounders 10:30-12:30 Fiddle Workshops 10:30-11:15 School Presentation 11:00-1:30 Special Blend band 11:00 Arrival of the handcart re-enactors 11:30-2:30 School Presentation 1:00 pm Fiddle Registration begins 1:00 pm Children's Costume Contest 2:30-4:30 Fiddle Contest: Jr. and Sr. Divisions 3:30 Hot Dog eating contest(s) 4:30-6:00 Pat Bollesen (Cowgirl Poet) 6:15 Raffle winners announced 6:30-8:00 Finals Round for the Fiddle Contest Concessions 10:00 to 2:30 Courtesy Runza of Kearney Events that will rund all day: -Exhibitors will be inside all six historic buildings and spread out all over our grounds!!! These include: blacksmith, broom-maker, woodcarvers, quilting, knapping, corn-shelling, & egg-crating. Hands-on activities! -Genealogists will be on-hand in our archive building to help research inquiries and/or answer questions on Period Photo's - Old fashioned games and races - Apple-Bobbing - Story-telling - Cake Walk: 10:30, 12:30, 2:30, 4:30 LIST OF SPONSORS FOR THE EVENT - OUR SINCERE THANKS PLEASE SUPPORT THEIR BUSINESSES WHILE VISITING KEARNEY (random order) National Park Service Nebraska Mormon Trail Association Kearney Visitor's Bureau The Willey Family (descendents of CPT James Willey) Grandpa's Steak House Thompson Company Brown Transfer Company AAA Nebraska UNICO Dr. and Mrs. Heber Crockett Cabellas's Sunmart Grocery Skeeter Barnes resturant Little Mexico resturant Coke Cola McDonalds Walmart Grand Central Apple market Spaghetti Shoppe Eaton Corporation Dr. Fuerst Flying J Travel Plazas Kearney Trolleys Xibus.com - web hosting Mike Ericksen Alpha Omega Multimedia