Arcadia will once again become a gathering place for central Nebraska families this Labor Day weekend as the community hosts its 72nd annual Arcadia Fall Festival, with activities planned Saturday, Sunday and Monday, September 5th through the 7th.
The long running Labor Day tradition features a full schedule of tournaments, family activities, food, live entertainment and community events throughout the weekend.
One of Saturday’s highlights will be the ranch rodeo at the Arcadia ballpark, with the Calcutta beginning at 12:30 p.m. and the rodeo getting underway at approximately 1 p.m. A full field of 20 teams is signed up, followed by ranch bronc riding with 12 riders. The ranch rodeo is free to attend and includes a concession stand and access to the splash pad for children.
Saturday’s schedule also includes an 8 AM sand volleyball tournament at the Arcadia Garden Club Park, a 9 AM pinochle tournament at the Community Center, the Fall Festival Autumn Splendor Showcase from 9 AM to noon, and a cornhole tournament with registration at 10 AM and games starting at 11:30.
An RKD poker run will register at 11 AM at Case’s Place and leave at noon, while the Sons of the American Legion will host a BBQ cookoff beginning at 6 PM at Garden Club Park.
Saturday evening also features the Arcadia High School wall of fame ceremony at 7 PM with Dennis Greenland being inducted.
Carrie Hurlburt says the Autumn Splendor Showcase continues to grow and that she is expecting 20 vendors to participate this year, which is roughly double the number from the event’s first year. Vendors will include food, crafts, and direct sales businesses. A bingo activity will also give visitors a chance to win a custom pumpkin decoration.
Sunday begins with an 8 AM to noon Spirit Dogs pancake feed at the Community Building. The free-will donation breakfast features pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, coffee and orange juice, with proceeds helping support post-prom activities and other needs at Arcadia Public Schools.
At 10 AM, a community worship service will be held at the ballpark, featuring guest speaker Ben Harkness. The service will move to the Arcadia High School old gym in case of inclement weather.
Children will take center stage Sunday afternoon with free kids’ games and races at 1 PM at the ballpark. Activities include foot races, three legged races, sack races and other old fashioned games.
Skye Griess said those races and games have become one of the festival’s lasting traditions.
“I think everybody here talking, we all grew up doing those kiddy races, so yeah, it’s just become a tradition and everybody, we all were a part of it when we were kids, and now we’re helping put it on and host things,” Griess said.
A major attraction on Sunday is the demolition derby at 2 PM at the ballpark, sponsored by the Sons of the American Legion Post #251. A figure eight race before the regular competition is a hopeful addition.
Labor day itself brings a relaxed finish to the festival, highlighted by a tractor show all day and the parade at 10:30 AM with the theme ‘A Page in USA History’. Judging for the parade starts at 9:30 AM with prizes awarded after the second trip through town.
After the parade, the crowning of Miss Fall Festival 2026 will take place ahead of a baked potato bar at the Community Center to support Arcadia FFA students with proceeds.
View our full remote broadcast from earlier this week in Arcadia below:
