Traditions

Unit 1 - Community Diversity

Contributions of Cultures in our Community

Festivals:

Nebraska State Fair

The state fair is held annually each year in Grand Island. It is about a 10 day event that ends on Labor Day. Prior to 2010, the fair was held in Lincoln, Nebraska. There have been many changes throughout the years, however one theme remains constant; Fair time is a time to celebrate Nebraska’s Pride. It is a time of competition between boys and girls, a time for friends and neighbors to reflect upon their achievements and accomplishments from the past year. The Nebraska State Fair offers hundreds of attractions including many entertainers, exhibits, midway rides and delicious food. With a history older than the state itself, the Nebraska State Fair combines tradition with innovation to produce an educational and exciting event for the entire family.

Husker Harvest Days

Agriculture is very important to Grand Island. Every September farmers and ranchers come from 28 states to visit exhibitions. Each year, visitors have the opportunity to see everything, from the latest in technology to seed to crop chemicals to field demonstrations to livestock handling and equine events. Additionally, rural lifestyle, health screening services, antique farm tractors and equipment, and arts and crafts exhibits are included in the show.

Games:

Curling - Scottish

"Curlers" (large granite stones) that weigh about 40 pounds are slid across ice onto a target, it is a game that takes strength as well as skill.

St. Andrew's was a society whose object was to "keep alive the memory of Scotland, her manners and customs, literature and games". St. Andrew's society changed into the Burns' Club around 1891.

AHEPA mens group

The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association. The group was formed in 1922 to promote loyalty to the United States and to keep the Greek traditions such as music and dance.

Liederkranz - German

Historical photos courtesy of Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer

Founded in 1870, the Liederkranz was organized with the original purpose of preserving and promoting German culture. The name means singing society and the bylaws said the club should promote vocal and instrumental music, literature and art. While the Liederkranz was originally for those of German descent, by 1905 there were many admitted who were not German.

The Platt-Deutsche - German

The Platt-Deutsche was another German society, but it was founded for preserving the Platt-Deutsche language which was spoken primarily in the rural areas of Germany. Eventually, the Platt- Deutsche turned into a fraternal society providing members with insurance and a death benefit.

Religion:

Buddism - Asian

A religion that studies the teachings of Buddha.

Greek Orthodox

The Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox church was organized in 1938 and was built in 1941 on the corner of 10th and Lincoln streets, where it stands today. It was more than a place of worship for the Greek community. It was a place to gather and practice their Greek traditions with people from the same culture. In the Greek church, Easter is a more important holiday than Christmas.

Clothing:

In the Laotian culture the women weave beautiful cloth to make into dresses for parties.

Entertainment:

Minstrel Shows - African-American

Minstrel Shows used parts of slave life and the way blacks acted in the South to create entertainment. The shows were not accurate and used blacks as a joke.