Homestead NHP features Winter Festival of Prairie Cultures

BEATRICE - A festival at the Homestead National Historical Park is tying the holiday season to history about homesteaders.

The Prairie Winter Culture Festival is a celebration of the homesteaders and how they celebrated the holiday and winter seasons. Amber Kirkendall is the volunteer coordinator for the park.

“Our winter festival of prairie cultures is an annual event that remembers the immigration legacy of the homestead act,” Kirkendall said.

The festival shines a light on those who immigrated to the United States, declaring their intent to become citizens.

“People came from all around the world to participate in this process,” Kirkendall said. “So this festival remembers their traditions, and the cultural things they brought with them to the United States.”

One of the signature aspects of the festival are the decorated Christmas trees, each dedicated to a group or nationality of homesteaders. Trees are decorated by volunteers and decorations have been gathered throughout the years.

“This is an event that is very dependent on our volunteer base,” Kirkendall said. “Our volunteers came and put these up, we got the decorations through the years through different organizations, some from the cultures that are being represented.”

Kirkendall says the festival is a good way to teach the public about the history of homesteading, while also tying in a holiday theme. The holiday season was always something homesteaders looked forward to in the harsh winters.

“Having a holiday to look forward to, we’ve seen in primary letters and documents, how important that was,” Kirkendall said. “That ties us through time because it’s still a time period many people look forward to.”

The exhibit and trees can be seen until January 2nd, inside the educational center at the park. A mask or other face covering is required for entry.