Ash Hollow Pageant
"The Lighter Side of the Oregon Trail"
Friday, June 15 & Saturday, 16, 2012
Ash Hollow State Historical Park, Lewellen, Nebraska
The Ash Hollow Historical Pageant began in 1993 with the celebration of 150 years since the first pioneers headed to Oregon. Pioneers were looking for land, religious freedom and wealth in the years of 1843 to 1864 on the Oregon – California and Mormon Trails. All trails converged along the Platte River. Pioneers generally followed the south side, crossed the South Platte near Big Springs and then headed north to the North Platte River dropping down into the valley at the best place to descend the bluffs. Looking at the trail ruts in Ash Hollow it is hard to imagine it was the best location! The pageant has an idyllic site on the very ground where pioneers stopped to rest at a fresh water spring on the Trail. With the deepening shadows of the evening and the backdrop of the limestone cliffs, the music starts and the performance begins.
The Ash Hollow Pageant is our biggest fundraising event. This musical performance is held outdoors at Ash Hollow State Park, south of Lewellen, Nebraska. The live band and 35 member cast tell the stories of pioneers through their diaries and song. In addition to the performance there is a chuck wagon supper of roast beef, beans cooked over an open fire, corn salad, and fry bread is served before the performance.
For more information, call 308-778-5548. Learn more about Ash Hollow State Historical Park.
Schedule of Activities
| 7 a.m. |
Walk/Run/Bike Ash Hollow (Saturday Only) |
| 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
Quilt Show at United Methodist Church, Lewellen
Art Show at the Most Unlikely Place and Volunteers of America, Lewellen |
| 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. |
Ash Hollow State Park Visitor's Center (open hours)
Self drive tours of Ash Hollow and surrounding area |
| 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
Karen Little Thunder speaking on Blue Water Massacre, Visitor's Center |
| 3:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. |
Teepee Village and Native American historical talks, Performance Area |
| 4:30 p.m. - 5 p.m. |
Cowboy Poet - Edd Clemens in Lower Picnic Area |
| 5 p.m. - 6 p.m. |
Ogallala Barbershop Quartet (Saturday only), Picnic Area |
| 5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. |
Chuck wagon supper |
| 6:30 p.m. |
"The Lighter Side of the Oregon Trail" Peformance |
Location:
Ash Hollow State Historical Park. 3 miles southeast of Lewellen, Nebraska on Hwy. 26
28 miles northwest of Ogallala
Lewellen Middle School on Hwy. 26 is the rain location
Cost:
| Park entry permits |
$20 annual and $4 daily per vehicle (permit is required at State Park) |
| Chuck wagon supper |
$10 for adults and $6 for children; 5 years - 10 years |
| Peformance |
Free |
Chuck wagon supper:
Smoke wafting around an open campfire greets guests for the supper of roast beef, cabbage salad, fry bread and honey, and kettle beans
$10 per adult and $6 for children between 5 years and 10 years
Picnic tables are available for seating
What to bring:
Bring your own lawn chair or blanket
The evening is usually warm early on and then gets a little chilly, a jacket is usually a good idea
We call in dragonflies to get rid of mosquitoes, but you might bring some bug spray as well
Handicap Accessible:
Handicap parking is available next to the performance site
Golf carts are also available for all of our guests from parking to the supper and performance