|
 |
OmahaRiverFront.com
- RIVER NEWS
Omaha local events moving to
riverfront
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Something new is
coming to Omaha's riverfront in 2003!
 ouglas County, the Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben and the University of
Nebraska Cooperative Extension approved a plan this week to combine
two annual events - the Douglas County Fair and River City Roundup
into one huge affair. Both events, currently held at Ak-Sar-Ben,
will need to find a new home when the facility officially closes
this fall so the decision was made to combine them together and
move to Omaha's new convention center arena which is set to open in
late summer 2003. The agreement was approved by the Douglas County
Board.
The combined event does not have a name yet but will have a budget
of around $2 million.
This will be an excellent example of public, private and community
groups working together to provide something that everyone can
enjoy. Details of how everything will work is expected to be
finalized in August.
The new arena will offer 15,000 seats, tripling the capacity of
Ak-Sar-Ben. Planners are  working
to book entertainment for the event now. A state barbecue contest
is also being planned at Lewis and Clark Landing. This new park is
expected to open in September of this year.
Combining the events is intended to reduce expenses and increase
revenue. Although the cost for using the convention center and
arena will be more, there will also be more exhibit space to lease.
The nine-day event is scheduled for September 20 through 28, 2003.
This year, however, the fair and roundup both will be held one last
time at Ak-Sar-Ben
|
|
|
| |
 |
|
|
