North Platte Canteen Festival
September 23rd & 24th, 2023
On December 17, 1941, North Platte residents gathered at the Union Pacific Depot because they heard that a troop train carrying their own boys would be coming through. When the train stopped, none of their boys were to be found, but instead there were soldiers from Kansas. After a moment of disbelief, one person stepped forward and gave their presents to the troops and everyone else soon followed. The happiness expressed by the soldiers sparked an idea. The residents of North Platte and the surrounding communities followed the lead of their ancestors in World War I by opening a Canteen at the depot. This endeavor lasted for 54 months, involved 55,000 volunteers, and served more than 6 million service men and women during its duration. This was one of the largest volunteer efforts of World War II. When an impact like that has been made, it is important to keep that story and heritage alive.
Visit North Platte, the Downtown Association, the Lincoln Country Historical Museum, and the North Platte Community Playhouse are pleased to be bringing back the North Platte Canteen Festival for a third year!
Pancake Breakfast
Saturday 8:00am-11:00am
Lincoln County Historical Museum, 2403 N. Buffalo Bill Ave.
$8 ages 11 and up, $5 ages 6-10, and 5 and under are free!
Pay at the gate with cash or card.
Start your day off at with all you can eat pancakes, scrambled eggs, and sausage! Proceeds from the Pancake Breakfast will go to the Lincoln County Historical Museum’s General Fund.
Fall Market & Art Show
Saturday 10:00am-4:00pm
Canteen District, Downtown North Platte
Free Entry!
Next is the Fall Market & Art Show. Here you will be able to explore a variety of high-quality art, crafts, and food vendors.
Live 1940's Music
Saturday 10:00am-12:00pm
Canteen District, Downtown North Platte
Free Entry!
Enjoy 1940's hits played by the Flatrock Irregulars while you shop the Fall Market & Art Show, or bring a chair and stay a while!
Jodi Engalls Live
Saturday 12:00pm-4:00pm
Canteen District, Downtown North Platte
Free Entry!
Jody Ingalls from Encore History will take attendees on an unforgettable journey through the WWII years through iconic songs of the day performed in character by some of the era’s favorite voices! Come watch this amazing one-woman show that combines multiple characters, costume, and song to tell the story of an era.
A Sentimental Musical Journey
Sunday 2:00pm
North Platte Community Playhouse Canteen Room, 301 E. 5th St.
Advance tickets are $18 for adults and $12 for students. Day of tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students. VIP tickets are $35.
Cash or card will also be accepted at the door.
To finish up the festival, ‘A Sentimental Musical Journey’ will will be performed at the North Platte Community Playhouse. This show will take you through the music of the World War II era, celebrating a mistake which turned into one of history’s largest wartime volunteer efforts: The North Platte Canteen. Come get “In the Mood” with North Platte’s own Glenn Miller style big band and vocalists who will “Sing, Sing, Sing.” We would like to invite everyone to experience the magic of the WWII Canteen at this exciting event. VIP tickets will include an Ice Cream Social and Cast Meet and Greet before the show from 1:00pm-1:30pm and CUP seating during the performance.
Proceeds will be donated to the Lincoln County Historical Museum to further their World War II Canteen exhibit which will continue to spread this story of volunteerism and patriotism for generations to come. Can't make it but still want to help? Make a donation to the Lincoln County Historical Museum by clicking here and then selecting the 'Donate' button!