Millard Days

A 46-year tradition continues Tuesday with the kickoff of Millard Days in Andersen Park and downtown Millard.

The six-day celebration — a hometown reunion of sorts — includes a carnival, parade, fireworks show, horseshoe tournament, car show and co-ed softball tournament.

New this year is a Red Cross Bloodmobile at the family activities tent.

“It's a lot of work but we have a lot of fun doing it,” said Pat Rupp of Millard Days. He's serving his second year as vice chairman.

Some volunteers have been involved for three decades. “Even volunteers who have left the area come back to help,” Rupp said.

Steve Svoboda, who lives near Fort Calhoun, is an example. A Millard Days volunteer since 1975, he wasn't going to let a change of address 12 years ago keep him from helping with the party. “Millard did a lot for me and my family,” he said.

Continuing his involvement as a committee member at large “is a feel-good thing.” He loves how all proceeds go into one pot, and local organizations can apply for funds to do special projects like post-prom parties, park shelters and playground equipment. “We make it to give it away,'' said Svoboda.

“We have helped with improvements to nearly every park in the Millard area, fire department rescue equipment, scholarships to high school seniors, and numerous other worthy causes,” Millard Days Chairman J.R. Christiansen said.

“When I started, the Optimists served beer out of a horse tank and the Jaycees had a food stand,” Svoboda recalled. The atmosphere today is more family-oriented.

Svoboda will be around to set up and tear down. His favorite duties, however, involve the parade. Look for him patrolling the route on a four-wheeler. “If you see a green Polaris, that's me.”

Longtime volunteer Bob Davis, who lives in Gretna, got Rupp involved 10 years ago. Rupp, in turn, has recruited a few die-hard volunteers.

As vice chairman, Rupp oversees sponsorships and advertising. “Once that committee gets going, the vice chair does whatever the chair tells him to do,” Rupp said. “Really, it's a well-oiled machine.”

Millard Days highlights include an entertainment tent and beer garden with live bands Thursday through Saturday.

Thursday's lineup features Side Effects, a blues band made up mostly of Millard South High School students. They'll play from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Rupp expects a crowd, especially with a Millard South alumni reunion the same weekend.

Friday and Aug. 29, Rupp will work in the beer garden. “It's a great block party. You'll see people that you haven't seen since last year's Millard Days,” he said. “You can get reacquainted over a cold beer with music in the background. It's great.”