Diller readies for 126th annual Diller Picnic this weekend

Programming note: News Channel Nebraska will have a live telecast of the Diller Picnic Parade at 7:00 pm Saturday. 

DILLER, Neb. - One of the oldest summer festivities in Southeast Nebraska is back in action this weekend.

The Jefferson County town of Diller and organizer Shelley Smith are ready for the 126th Diller Picnic.

“We have a lot of stuff going on,” Smith said. “Kids, adults, everybody should be able to have really good time.”

The festivities kick off on Thursday with Thursday, Friday, and Saturday all having headliner events. Thursday features a tractor pull, bull riding takes places on Friday, and the Diller Picnic parade is set for Saturday night. Smith says one of the key elements to continued success for the Diller Picnic is having activities for all ages.

“Diller Picnic is just overall a really good time for the whole family,” Smith said. “There is just so much going on for all ages. You can go from the bull riding where there’s kid events down to the midway and there’s kids events there.”

Additionally, like most local summer festivals, the town hopes to welcome visitors and maybe encourage them to come back.

“We really bring people from all over, we invite them to come in, family and friends… Hopefully they come back after the picnic, whether that be to go to the bar or a restaurant,” Smith said. “Maybe even coming back next year.”