May 10, 2025
Campfire ban in portions of Nebraska extended through May 20
Decision aligns with executive order issued as a precautionary measure to reduce wildfire risk.
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Para athlete Matt Stutzman returns to display his shooting skills at the Missouri River Outdoor Expo, Sept. 21-22 at Ponca State Park. This time he does it as a Paralympic gold medalist.
Stutzman, a frequent past expo guest, won the gold medal in the men’s Para Archery Individual Compound Open in Paris on Sept. 1.
Stutzman, a four-time Paralympian and world champion in 2022, will put on a display of pistol shooting and precision archery at noon both days at the Eric Wiebe Shooting Complex.
This 19th annual event is the largest outdoor expo in the Midwest. Participate in any of more than 100 outdoor activities, including wildlife encounters, fishing, kayaking, archery, camping skills, cooking demonstrations, contests, rock climbing, shooting sports, food and goods vendors, dog shows, craftsmanship demonstrations, local entertainment and much more.
Attendees will be eligible to enter a youth into the Youth Half Price Lifetime Permit Drawing program, which gives Nebraska youth ages 15 and younger the opportunity to purchase a lifetime hunt, fish and other permits for half price. The online entry form will be available during the event.
The Nebraska National Guard will be flying in Chinook and Blackhawk helicopters at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 21.
Patrice and Kevin McCabe, hosts of the Discovery Channel television program “RV There Yet?” will be available for a meet-and-greet both days on the riverfront from 9:30-10:30 a.m. and 1-2 p.m.
The McCabes, who have visited several Nebraska state parks as part of their program, travel in their motorhome to destinations throughout the nation. The show highlights special places for their culture and history and the couple chats with local business owners who keep their communities thriving.
A Bob’s Bar Burger Eating Contest is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Sept. 22. All 12 participants must be at least 16 years of age. The person quickest to consume an 11-ounce burger, mountain of fries and large drink wins a two-night stay at a Ponca State Park mini-lodge.
Bob’s Bar and Grill, in Martinsburg, Nebraska, was featured in May on America’s Best Restaurants, a national media and marketing company focusing on bringing attention to local, independently owned restaurants.
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s new outdoor cooking trailer will be unveiled, with cooking demonstrations and food samplings for the public.
The expo will be open to the public each day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. A vehicle park entry permit is required and can be purchased at OutdoorNebraska.gov or at the entrance.
Go OutdoorNebraska.gov to find more information about the expo.
