There is plenty to see, do and celebrate this season

There’s something about this time of year that changes the rhythm of a community. The pace loosens a little. The evenings last longer. Kids suddenly rediscover bicycles, baseball gloves and backyard adventures. School doors close for a season, and the possibilities of summer swing wide open.
You can almost feel it right now in the air across Hamilton County.
For many families, summer doesn’t mean loading up for a faraway vacation or spending thousands of dollars chasing entertainment somewhere else. Sometimes the best memories are made much closer to home, tucked into simple moments and shared experiences that remind us why small-town living still matters.
That’s one reason we’re excited about this year’s “Splash of Summer” edition, published in this week’s ANR.
Spend a few minutes flipping through the pages and you’ll quickly realize there is no shortage of opportunities for kids and families to stay active, engaged and connected during the summer of 2026. In fact, you might be surprised by how much is happening right here in our own backyard.
The Edgerton Explorit Center and Prairie Plains Resource Institute continue to offer hands-on science experiences that encourage kids to learn by doing, exploring and asking questions. In an age dominated by screens and scrolling, there’s something refreshing about watching young minds light up through discovery and imagination.
Meanwhile, community celebrations throughout Hamilton County will once again bring neighbors together with parades, car shows, food, music, games and traditions that have stood the test of time. These events may last only a weekend, but the memories they create often stick around for years.
And as America prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday in 2026, the Plainsman Museum is helping connect the past to the present through a series of special programs and events leading up to Independence Day. At a time when the country often feels divided and distracted, there’s value in pausing long enough to appreciate the stories, sacrifices and spirit that helped shape the nation we call home.
Summer has always carried a certain magic, especially in small towns. It’s ballgames and barbecue, ice cream, swimming, fireworks, county fairs, golf rounds and more casual conversations. But beyond the fun, summers also offer something else we probably all need a little more of these days: connection. Connection to family. Connection to community. Connection to history. Connection to the outdoors and to each other.
That’s why local events matter. That’s why museums matter. That’s why science centers, swimming pools, libraries, parks and community celebrations matter. They give us reasons to gather, to laugh, to learn and to step away from the constant noise for a little while.
And maybe that’s the real beauty of summer in Hamilton County. You don’t have to travel far, especially when gas prices are up, to find something meaningful. Often, it’s waiting just down the street.
So as another school year fades into the rearview mirror and another Nebraska summer begins to unfold, here’s hoping families take full advantage of the opportunities ahead. 
— Kurt Johnson