CHADRON – The Northwest Nebraska tourism industry will recognize contributions by nominees in four categories during its annual industry event April 16.
The local tourism industry will gather that night for its yearly Treasure Chest of the Northwest event at the Dawes County Fairgrounds. Nominees for awards were submitted earlier this year and will be recognized and the winners announced.
A new category – Event of the Year – was introduced this year, and several local favorites received nominations.
The Northwest Motor Show in Crawford enjoyed its second event in 2025, packing downtown Crawford with custom and classic cars and trucks.
“It is one of those events that you can see a lot in a short time, or you can take your time and cruise around and see every little detail of every awesome vehicle,” the nomination read.
The Fort Robinson Trail Ride features horseback riders from across the U.S. for a week of food, fun and fellowship as they enjoy the local trails and make new friends and memories.
“The amount of money coming in from outside the area is tremendous, and it is held during the shoulder season of tourism activities, so all the more successful for the area,” the nomination read.
Dating back to the 1950s, the Chadron State College Rodeo brings hundreds of college rodeo athletes to Chadron each year.
“The event attracts several hundred rodeo enthusiasts – particularly parents and grandparents of the contestants – as well as local residents who come watch the action,” the nomination read. “The rodeo gives the Chadron economy a boost and allows the community to display its western hospitality and friendly atmosphere.”
The Chadron Festival of Quilts, sponsored by the Pine Ridge Quilt Guild, brings fabric art loves from across the state and Wyoming, South Dakota and Colorado to Chadron each spring. Visitors in town for the quilt festival also explore other attractions while they’re in the area, and the quilt guild works to put on an event that keeps guests in town for a few days, according to the nomination.
The Nebraska Fur Harvesters Convention was held in Chadron for the first time last fall. This event is hosted at different locations throughout the state each year. The 2025 convention was one of the best in the history of the organization, according to the nomination, with visitors from across the U.S. spending time in Northwest Nebraska.
“The Fur Trade Museum, Fort Robinson and the Cabela’s wildlife display at the college were all great attractions for people from several other states to visit while they were in town for the convention,” the nomination read.
Ali and Dave Redden were nominated as Volunteers of the Year. They are involved with the Crawford Cattle Call and the Post Playhouse.
“Ali and Dave have it in them to go way beyond to make things happen here in upstate western Nebraska,” the nomination read.
Also nominated for Volunteer of the Year was Sharon Rickenbach and Redfern Farms. Rickenbach, who volunteers in several capacities, also opened Redfern Farms as a Harvest Host site and welcomes campers from around the world for free.
The Crawford Public Library was nominated in the Business/Attraction category, with the nomination noting that the library hosts historical speakers and is a great place to stop and find out what is happening in the region.
“This library always seems to have something going on for both the locals and the sightseers who are exploring the many different things in this area,” the nomination read.
Jackson Griess, the manager at Runza in Chadron, was nominated for Frontline Employee of the Year.
“Jackson is always friendly and helpful and makes it his priority to make sure that the customer is taken care of,” the nomination reads.
Anyone can nominate an individual, business or event for the awards. Nominations can be submitted online at https://discovernwnebraska.com/industry-awards/ and must be completed by March 1 each year.
