Welcome to Tilden, Nebraska. The Nebraska folks have their Prairie Days celebration the last weekend in July 2005.

Here is the tentative schedule for July 2005
Tilden, Nebraska 2005 Prairie Days/Q125 Celebration

Events planned to date include:

Friday night, July 29th 

·        Alumni banquet in the city auditorium 

·        Fireworks display provided by local residents

·        Street dance. 

Saturday July 30th

·        Antique appraisals in the library

·        Antique “Show & Sale” with dealers selling items in vacant main street buildings “Skills of the Pioneers” in the city auditorium

·        Antique Machinery show

·        Sanctioned Cowchip throw

·        Horseshoe Pitching Tournament

·        Kid’s games in municipal swimming pool and dunk tank

·        Heritage foods provided by the five local churches

·        Tug-of-war between the local area fire departments

·        Prairie Parade/Community barbeque

·        Horse drawn shuttle tour of historic buildings, Horseshoe Bend Park, Toy Museum, Library and High School

 

Sunday, July 31st:

·        Pancake breakfast,

·        Gospel sing

·        Melodrama 

·        The antique sales, craft show, “Skills of the Pioneers” and toy museum

·        Performance by the Offut Air Force Base “Night Wings” band

July 2004 Tilden, Nebraska Prairie Days

Beaver's James Pratt won the Cow Chip Throw at Tilden, Nebraska
Saturday July 31 over seven other contestants. Pratt's throw was
147 feet 2 inches. The next closest throw was 142' 5" feet.

Dixie Kuncia, Tilden librarian, speak to crowd Sat. July 31, 2004

Old tractors on display at Tilden Saturday, July 31.

Pratt shows his stuff at Cow Chip Throw.

Another good toss by Beaver's James Pratt.

Pratt wins first place at Tilden, Nebraska.

Making pottery was on display in Tilden Sat. July 31, 2004.

Tilden ladies spin wool and cloth Sat. July 31, 2004

Tilden lady EMT picks her cowchip.

The Pratts man the Beaver Chamber booth.

Tilden Prairie Days Cow Chip Throw

The Tilden Prairie Days first Sanctioned Regional Cow Chip Throw was held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 31. An enthusiastic crowd applauded the contestants’ efforts. Jay Johnson of US 92 emceed the event. James Pratt four time World Champion Cow Chip thrower from Beaver, Oklahoma gave a demonstration of world class cow chip throwing form to start off the afternoon.

Because of the reluctance of the crowd to register and compete, the VIP throwers agreed to start the afternoon’s activities. VIP’s throwers were: Pam Scott, Continuing Education Coordinator for the Nebraska Library Commission in Lincoln, NE, Tilden Fire Chief Chris Hansen, US92’s Jay Johnson, Tilden Police Chief Tim Garcia and Elkhorn Valley Schools Superintendent Ken Navratil. VIP winner was Tim Garcia with a respectable 93’ 1" throw. These efforts warmed up the crowd considerably and five brave local hurlers went up against Jim Pratt in the Men’s Division. Competitors were: Stan Schapman, James Pratt, Joe Schaecher, Don Mollhoff, Jerry Fields and Tom King. Mr. Pratt had the winning throw of 147’2" with Tom King a close second with 142’5".

After initial reluctance from the ladies there were five gals who braved competition: Crystal Bradley, Pam Scott, Sandy Frey, Susan Fields, Jolene Schapman, and Laura Wilcox. Laura took first place with a throw of 64’ 9 " with Crystal Bradley taking second with a throw of 50’2".

Men’s Division Winner James Pratt and Women’s Division Winner Laura Wilcox have won the right to compete in the World Champion 2005 Cow Chip Throw in Beaver, Oklahoma the second week in April.

Team competition was quite lively with six entries of four man (woman) teams: Tilden Rescue, Tilden Hospital, Tilden Library, Frey Sisters, the Chip Slingers and The Turds. Winner of the coveted Golden Cowpie Team Trophy was the Chip Slingers with an impressive total of 374’9". Members of the Chip Slingers were: Tim Garcia, Stan Schapman, Ken Navratil and Gordon Eymann.

Crystal Bradley was the winner of the drawing for the "Cow Chip Clock" donated by Kreations by Kristin of Utah. Crystal asked that the clock go back to the library, as she "didn’t need another clock". This unique clock is on display at the Raymond A. Whitwer Tilden Public Library.

The Cow Residue Appropriation Committee: Susan & Jerry Fields, Walt, Rosemary & Anne Patras, Norma Thies and Dixie Kucera collected, stored and transported the ammunition for the event. Tom King and Crystal Bradley, put up the arena with assistance from Jim and Sonja Pratt. Tom Zwingman helped with measurements. Joe and Stacie Schaecher and Phyllis Murray manned the registration table which was provided by Pat & LeRoy Borgelt. Awards and trophies were contributed by Rosemary Patras and Dixie Kucera.