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Celebrate Early America
A historic celebration of buckskinners, traders and Native Americans, Fur Trade Days offers fun for the entire family. Toss a buffalo chip, compete in the Colter Run, enjoy live music and carnival rides!
Schedule of Events
Updated July 6, 2026
July 9
All Day – Buckskinners primitive camp, open to visitors NOTE: Due to severe drought concerns, the camp has moved to South of Gordon, NE, along the Niobrara River. For questions, call Mike at (308)207-5149
1-6 p.m. – Free Swim by Nebraska Bank! (Chadron Area Aquatics & Wellness Center, 540 E Tenth Street)
6-9 p.m. – Bands on Bordeaux – Ivory Studio (First Street, between Main & Bordeaux streets)
9 p.m. – Karaoke (Wild’s Bar & Grill)
July 10
All Day – Buckskinners primitive camp, open to visitors NOTE: Due to severe drought concerns, the camp has moved to South of Gordon, NE, along the Niobrara River. For questions, call Mike at (308)207-5149
10 a.m. – noon – Nerf Blaster War, by Thermopolis Nerf (Dawes County Courthouse Lawn)
Noon – 7 p.m. – Traders’ Market Officially Opens (Dawes County Courthouse Lawn)
12:30 p.m. – Black Hills Raptor Center (Dawes County Courthouse Gazebo)
1 – 5 p.m. – Inflatables! Slip ’n’ Slide & Waterslide (Dawes County Courthouse Lawn)
2 – 5 p.m. – Nerf Blaster War, by Thermopolis Nerf (Dawes County Courthouse Lawn)
5 – 7 p.m. – Classics in the Park Cruise (315 W Third Street, FNBO Parking Lot)
6 p.m. – Native American Dance demonstration & lesson (Dawes County Courthouse Gazebo)
6 p.m. – Midnight – Mac’s Carnival (East Second & Bordeaux streets)
9 p.m. – 1 a.m. – Live Entertainment, The RathCo opening for Jessica Loobey (Downtown, West Second Street)
July 11
All Day – Buckskinners primitive camp, open to visitors NOTE: Due to severe drought concerns, the camp has moved to South of Gordon, NE, along the Niobrara River. For questions, call Mike at (308)207-5149
7:30 a.m. – Rotary Colter Run, 2-mile, 5k, 10k (CSC Nelson Physical Activity Center) must register in-person from 6:30-7:29 a.m. July 11
8 a.m. – Classics in the Park Registration (Wilson Park)
9 a.m. – 3 p.m. – Traders’ Market Opens (Dawes County Courthouse Lawn)
9:15 – 9:40 a.m. – Parade of Historic Fur Trade Flags (400 Block of Main Street)
9:45 – 10 a.m. – Parade of Puppies (400 Block of Main Street)
10 a.m. – 50th Annual Lion’s Club Parade (10th & Main to First & Main streets)
FOLLOWING THE PARADE#
11 a.m. – Pete Butler, live music (Dawes County Courthouse Gazebo)
11 a.m. – Rotary World Championship Buffalo Chip Throw (400 Block of Main Street)
11 a.m. – Chadron Chamber of Commerce Ambassador’s BBQ (Dawes County Courthouse Lawn)
11 a.m. – Ice Cream Social – First Congregational Church of Chadron (4th Street and Chadron Avenue)
11 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Classics in the Park, Show and Shine (Wilson Park)
1 p.m. – Native American Dance demonstration & lesson (Dawes County Courthouse Gazebo)
1 p.m. – Bump and Run (Dawes County Fairgrounds, Doors open 9 a.m., Adults $10, Teens $5, 12 and under FREE!)
1 – 5 p.m. – Inflatables! Slip ’n’ Slide & Waterslide (Dawes County Courthouse Lawn)
2 p.m. – Classics in the Park, Judging Deadline (Wilson Park)
3 p.m. – Classics in the Park, Awards Presentation (Wilson Park)
4 p.m. – Historical Cemetery Tour (Greenwood Cemetery, 1588 US Highway 20, $10 admittance, under age 15 free!)
6 p.m. – Midnight – Mac’s Carnival (East Second & Bordeaux streets)
7 p.m. – Historical Cemetery Tour (Greenwood Cemetery, 1588 US Highway 20, $10 admittance, under age 15 free!)
9 p.m. – 1 a.m. – Live Entertainment, Jessie G opening for Flannel Sunday (Downtown, West Second Street)
July 12
All Day – Buckskinners primitive camp, open to visitors NOTE: Due to severe drought concerns, the camp has moved to South of Gordon, NE, along the Niobrara River. For questions, call Mike at (308)207-5149
10 a.m. – 1 p.m. – Y’all Come Back, Here Class Reunion Coffee. Visit with high school classmates; Class annuals for review and free coffee. (Dawes County Historical Museum, 341 Country Club Road)
12:30 p.m. – Lions Club Horseshoe Tournament, No entry fee, cash prizes (North Main Street and Belle Fourche Avenue)
6 p.m. – Midnight – Mac’s Carnival (East Second & Bordeaux streets)
