Poets of the Platte.
Muses of the Missouri.
Sharpen your wits, whet your inspiration and find a road map to northeast Nebraska. This year's Neihardt Beer Festival in Bancroft features a contest for the best beer-related limerick.
The Aug. 6 festival is a fundraiser for the John Neihardt State Historic Site. It pays homage to Neihardt's love of beer.
Neihardt, who died in 1973 at age 92, is widely known as the author of "Black Elk Speaks" and epic poems of the nation west of the Missouri River.
He also delighted in reading limericks — nonsense and often bawdy poems — he said were penned by "a fella I know," according to Nancy Gillis, director of the historic site.
The beer fest and limerick events will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the Country Pub in Bancroft. Prizes will be awarded to the best beer-related limerick and to the best overall beer. A panel will chose the top Nebraska-brewed craft beer.
A dozen craft breweries and distributors are participating, with nearly 30 styles of unique lagers, porters and ales offered to sample. Appetizers will be available.
Tickets for the beer fest cost $20. For $25, advance purchased tickets will include a Neihardt glass mug. Additional mugs can be purchased for $8.
Tickets are available by calling the Neihardt Center at 888-777-4667, online at neihardt@gpcom.net or from any Neihardt Foundation board member. Participants must be at least 21 and have identification.
Designated drivers will be admitted free, and rides home will be available. Overnight lodging is available in West Point and Pender. Anyone who buys a beer fest ticket may submit a limerick or two, Gillis said.
The fest is a prelude to the 47th annual Neihardt Day program at 1:30 p.m. Aug. 7 at the Neihardt Center.
The Neihardt Day event is free. A small fee will be charged for a catered lunch. Bleacher seating is available, but lawn chairs are suggested.
Richard E. Jensen, formerly a research anthropologist with the Nebraska State Historical Society, will discuss his works, "Happy as a Big Sunflower: The Diary of Rolf Johnson" and "Eyewitness to Wounded Knee."
There also will be readings from Neihardt's autobiography by board member Randy Lukasiewicz. The moderator will be Ron Hull of NET.
Contact the writer:
402-444-1127, david.hendee@owh.com
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