Changes Ahead For Pandemic Arbor Day

NEBRASKA CITY – The novel coronavirus outbreak is forcing some changes to the Arbor Day Celebration that has been held at Nebraska City for 149 years.

Mayor Bryan Bequette said changes involve a new perspective on the annual Arbor Day Parade and a Facebook Live event for the commemorative tree planting.

Bequette: “We are the home of Arbor Day, so we’re trying to make an Arbor Day of it, but be smart about how we do it.”

Rather than a crowd lining the parade route on Saturday, April 25, the city is honoring social distancing guidelines with a reverse parade.

"We are the Home of Arbor Day, so we're trying to make an Arbor Day of it" - Bequette

 

Bequette: “We’re encouraging for local residents only. We are not encouraging folks from outside of the city or the surrounding area and beyond to come join us this year. Come join us next year for the 150^th.

 

 

 

Another big departure from tradition involves the commemorative tree planting. Instead of everyone invited to join the Arbor Day Honoree and Tree Planter award winners in a community tree planting, NCTC will plant a tree on Facebook Live.

It will be a red bud tree debuted by Grimm’s Gardens as a “raspberry twinkle.”

NCTC’s Tammy Partsch said rather than naming individuals, honors for the tree planting will go for all NCTC members.

Partsch: “We also find it hard to single out one person with the spirit of J. Sterling Morton this year because everyone seems to be stepping up and doing the best that they can. It’s a weird time. We want to acknowledge our members, our local businesses, or small businesses and even our big businesses here in Nebraska City for all they are doing during this time.”

Join on Facebook Live at 1 p.m. on Arbor Day, April 24.

Mayor Bequette reminds everyone the importance of social distancing.

 

 

Bequette: “Everything we do like the parade, people have to stay smart about it. Human nature is to gather. It’s human nature to get together and see each other. We tend to be within each other’s bubble. Six feet away is from everybody is way beyond our normal social bubble, so folks need to keep being smart about it.”

Nebraska City Physician Dr. Bradley Vasa said Nebraska is not expected to reach its peak of the initial COVID-19 outbreak until May 1. He said social distancing will still be critical.

Vasa: “The project number of deaths in Nebraska, when the whole thing is done, is 127. The initial projections were around 470, so, if you wonder what the social distancing is doing, that is probably a good way to put a number on it.”

Bequette: “We’re also encouraging folks to plant a tree, videotape it and put it on your Facebook. Put a story about it. Plant a tree this year with  your close family, on your property.”

NCTC said there are 20 entries for the parade as of April 21. They include teachers, floats, Blue Star Mothers and campaigns.