Make plans to visit beautiful Lake McConaughy and Keith County this year. Scroll down for events you'll want to add to your calendar!
Check out the newly refurbished Eagle Viewing Facility at Lake Ogallala! 
CNPPID's heated weekend eagle-viewing facility below Kingsley Dam is open Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Feb. 22, 2026. Eagle numbers vary according to conditions but 187 were spotted one day last winter. Some binoculars are available at the facilities, and visitors are encouraged to bring their own viewing equipment. Call 308-284-2332 for more information. (photo credit: CJ CarterFrahm)
Walleye Spawn in April
Anglers also flock to Lake Mac when the walleye begin to spawn in the spring. Many factors influence the timing, including photoperiod and water temperature, but the spawn usually hits in early or mid-April. Looking for a guided fishing trip with a local expert? Check our guide list here.
Sounds on the Square
We’re planning another great summer of FREE LIVE MUSIC at Rendezvous Square in Ogallala. Bring a lawn chair and your friends for these free Sounds on the Square concerts Friday nights: June 5, June 19, July 3, and July 17 from 6 to 9 p.m. Concessions will be available. Bands will include the Talbott Brothers, a nationally renowned crowd favorite with regional roots. Contact the Keith County Chamber at 308-284-4066 for more information.
Race Weeks at Lake Mac Casino Resort and Racetrack
Quarter Horse racing returns to Lake Mac Casino Resort and Racetrack in Ogallala on July 10-11 and July 17-18, 2026. Located just off Interstate 80, Lake Mac Racetrack held its inaugural race last summer, inviting horsemen, jockeys, and fans from all over the Midwest to experience racing in a fresh, modern setting.
Visitors can stay in Ogallala and play at the Lake Mac Casino Resort, located just steps from the track. Stay tuned to the Lake McConaughy and Lake Mac Casino Resort and Racetrack Facebook pages for more details about the 2026 race days. The casino now offers a shuttle from local hotels.
Kites and Castles
For over 30 years, the Kites and Castles festival has been everyone’s favorite way to play at the lake. This year’s event is happening Saturday, July 25, and everyone's invited—whether you're a first-time builder or a seasoned sand sculpting pro.
Put together your crew and and plan out a sand sculpture masterpiece. Awards are up for grabs in multiple age groups and skill levels, so bring your A-game... or just come for the fun.
Ogallala Indian Summer Rendezvous
Beautiful weather, changing colors & fantastic events: three great reasons to come to Ogallala Sept. 17–19, 2026, when the Ogallala Indian Summer Rendezvous brings three full days of fun to town. The Saturday Car Show gets bigger and better each year, the food trucks never disappoint, and the music at Rendezvous Square always gets the place buzzing. Add in kids’ activities, a huge craft fair, and one‑of‑a‑kind quilt and collection displays, and you’ve got a fall weekend you won’t want to miss in Keith County.