What better place to be, during a hot stretch

BEATRICE - A first stretch of hot summer weather has pools and water parks in Nebraska hosting big crowds.

The Big Blue Water Park in Beatrice missed its Memorial Day weekend opener, because of cool temperatures. But since then…

"We've been super busy since the very beginning.....I mean, we've had full houses since last Tuesday."

Water Park Manager Donna Arena says opening day for the facility this season was Tuesday following the Memorial Day Weekend. Unlike last year’s coronavirus-affected season…operations are mostly back to normal.

"This year, we don't have to count people going in and out, which is super nice. We've still kept some of the policies about cleaning and keeping things up, because they were just good ideas....so we kept them. But, we don't have to restrict so much, this year."

The top daily attendance so far, has been about 250. The park at 12th and Scott Streets is open from noon until seven, reserving the seven to nine p.m. period for parties. All ages are showing up to enjoy the water.

"We've had from zero, to 89, 90s sometimes....a lot of families, a lot of teenagers hanging out here. It's a good place for them to hang out."

You can pay a daily rate, or season passes are available at city offices.
"That ones that live here go with the season passes. There are people who jump from pool to pool...so they just pay the daily admission."

During the upcoming Homestead Days celebration, a free swim will be held for one of the evenings at the Big Blue Water Park. The water park season stretches nearly to Labor Day when lifeguard help heads back to school.