Wayne America, Inc. is an ambitious organization with several annual events and frequent programming for its Members. We invite you to explore the wide range of activities happening throughout the year.
The Ag Outlook Seminar is an annual event designed to assist local producers with their operations, to showcase agricultural research and industry trends, and to extend Wayne America's appreciation for agriculture's continued contributions to the local economy.
The Wayne America Annual Banquet is a celebration of the business community's achievements each year, and shows appreciation for the businesses, organizations, and individuals who support Wayne America, Inc. Annual awards include Most Valuable Patron, Business of the Year, Educator of the Year, and Citizen of the Year.
Bressler-Fest is an annual concert series hosted at Bressler Park in Wayne America. The concert series features local and regional bands from diverse genres and backgrounds. Performance dates for the concert series are the four (4) Sundays following Labor Day.
A Business After Hours (BAH) is an event designed to showcase a specific business or organization, and for patrons from around the community to network with their peers. Hosting a BAH is limited to Wayne America Members and suggested for late-afternoons or evenings. BAH Hosts are encouraged to provide appetizers and beverages for patrons.
The Cars-N-Carroll Show & Shine has been bringing car enthusiasts together since 2014. The annual event is hosted in late-September, features oversized trophies, and fills the streets of Carroll, NE with classic and restored vehicles, food trucks, activities, and patrons from across the region.
Chamber Coffee is a weekly event designed to showcase a specific business or organization. It is also for patrons from around the community to network with their peers, and for Wayne America, Inc. to share upcoming events. Hosting a Chamber Coffee is a limited to Wayne America Members and subject to available dates. Chamber Coffees are held every Friday at 10:00 a.m., but the location varies weekly. Chamber Coffee Hosts are encouraged to provide coffee and breakfast snacks for patrons.
Founded in 1981, the Wayne Chicken Show is a community-wide festival full of fowl fun for all ages. Over the second weekend of July, locals and visitors roost in Wayne America to celebrate chickens via crowing contests, high-flying games, egg-citing entertainment, feathered food, and layer art. To learn more, please visit the Wayne Chicken Show website.
Christmas in Wayne is an annual event to put Wayne America in the holiday spirit. Each year, Christmas arrives the Thursday before Thanksgiving to kick off the holiday shopping season and Wayne America's annual Punch Card Promotion. Businesses stay open late, retailers begin their blitz of holiday deals, and carolers spread Christmas cheer. The evening is punctuated by a Parade of Lights along Main Street featuring festive floats from area businesses and organizations.
Travel back in time to the era of muscle cars, burnouts, and playing 8-tracks with the top down during Cruise Main in Wayne. On the 3rd Fridays of May, June, July, August, and September, the streets of Wayne America bustle with classic vehicles from around the area. Car enthusiasts, locals, visitors, and food trucks gather along Main Street, while the drivers rev up the nostalgia in downtown Wayne America. Facebook
Visit the Wayne Farmer's Market to stock up on fresh produce, baked goods, cut flowers, and so much more. The Wayne Farmer's Market is hosted on the west lawn of the Wayne County Courthouse from June to October.
Market times are:
- Wednesdays, 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
- Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Old Settlers Day is an annual event held in Winside, NE. The event is hosted each June over Father's Day and dates back to 1915. Old Settlers Day showcases the history of Winside and welcomes back Winside High School Alumni.
Through the Taste of Victory Tailgate, Wayne America, Inc. supports the Wayne Community Schools Foundation. The annual cook-off features 'celebrity' chefs sponsored by area businesses, who make sample-size portions of their favorite tailgate food. Patrons are encouraged to use their stomachs to vote for the best chef. The event is a free-will-donation fundraiser, and 100% of the proceeds go to the Wayne Community Schools Foundation.
Each July, Wayne America, Inc. hosts the annual Vendor Golf Invitational, a unique event that encourages area businesses to entertain their vendors or show appreciation for their employees. The event is hosted at Wayne Country Club, Wayne America’s pristine 18-hole golf course, and is a great opportunity for patrons to network within their industry and across the business community. Teams of four (4) enjoy a round of golf, two meals, free drinks, mini-games, a raffle, flighted payouts, and a chance to shoot for a $1 million annuity.
The Wayne County Fair is the largest event hosted in Wayne County each year. Through the last week of July, the Wayne County Ag Society presents Bull Riding, a Tractor Pull, a country music concert, and a Demolition Derby, along with 4H/FFA livestock shows & project displays, food trucks, live demonstrations, a beer garden, and a midway carnival. To learn more, please visit the Wayne County Fair website.