What could be cozier than a December getaway to Keith County? There are plenty of places to gather with friends and family to celebrate the season.
Check our calendar for fun events like the Holiday Parade of Lights in Ogallala Thursday, Dec. 5 at 5:30 p.m. down Spruce Street. Stroll around after the parade to window shop and grab dinner at a downtown restaurant like Driftwood Ogallala. Second Chapter Brewing will be hosting Music Bingo AND their delicious Peppermint Imperial Stout goes on tap that evening.
Check Second Chapter's Facebook page for other December events, like the 2nd Sunday Sip & Stitch Sunday, Dec. 8 from 4 to 6 p.m. with Eccentric Lamb Fiber Arts. Join fellow stitchers for a fun evening. Whether you're a knitter, crocheter, or stitcher of a different thread, bring your project and enjoy a relaxed atmosphere with creativity, conversation, and craft beer.
Second Chapter's Brews and Books Book Club will have a holiday theme on Dec. 18. And remember, they also have an extensive library of board games to check out and create your own game night.
Don't miss the annual Holiday Home Tour on December 7, sponsored by the Keith County Historical Society. There are so many beautiful homes to see, including Ogallala's famous Mansion on the Hill museum. See how this stately Victorian home would have looked all decked out for Christmas in its Gilded Age heyday. The tour ends up with a sweet treat of cheesecake, coffee and cider. Tickets are $25 each, and are on sale at the Keith County Chamber, MaKenzi's Boutique and Pinnacle Bank
The temperatures may be colder, but Lake McConaughy's beaches are no less beautiful in winter. Stretch your legs on a shoreline hike, and bring your binoculars to birdwatch. The lake plays host to many feathered residents and visitors in the winter months. (When birdwatching on public lands where hunting is permitted, officials recommend wearing bright colors like blaze orange.) Looking ahead to January and February, Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District opens its heated eagle viewing facility on weekends as eagles congregate in the open water of Lake Ogallala near the Kingsley Hydroplant.