2025 Event Photo Galleries

Kansas

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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21

The Heartland Events Center in Grand Island hosted a memorable performance by the legendary rock band Kansas. The concert, part of their 50th-anniversary tour, featured classic hits such as “Carry On Wayward Son,” “Dust in the Wind,” and “Point of Know Return,” showcasing the band's enduring legacy in the progressive rock genre. Fans filled the arena to enjoy an evening of timeless music and exceptional musicianship. The performance highlighted Kansas's continued relevance and appeal, drawing a diverse audience and delivering an unforgettable experience.

Hairball

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12

Hairball, the ultimate 1980s rock tribute band, rocked the stage of the Heartland Events Center like never before. Celebrating their 25th anniversary, Hairball delivered an over-the-top concert experience that reimagined the greatest arena rock shows of all time. With a rotating lineup of vocalists—including Kris Vox, Dave Moody, and Patrick Stone—the band brought to life the music of legends like KISS, Van Halen, Queen, and Mötley Crüe. Their high-energy performance featured elaborate costumes, pyrotechnics and spot-on renditions of classic hits, supported by HBK on bass, Billy on drums and Happy on guitar. Fans filled the arena and responded enthusiastically, making the concert a memorable night of nostalgia and rock ‘n’ roll energy.

The Righteous Brothers

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MONDAY, AUGUST 25

Grand Island was the backdrop of a memorable performance by The Righteous Brothers as part of the Nebraska State Fair's indoor concert series. The duo, featuring Bill Medley and Bucky Heard, captivated the audience with their timeless hits, including the iconic "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'." Their performance was a testament to their enduring legacy in the blue-eyed soul genre. The concert was part of the Nebraska Lottery Concert Series, which also featured other notable artists such as Matthew West and Brian Regan during the fair.

Matthew West & Josiah Queen

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 24

The HEC hosted an inspiring night of music featuring Matthew West with special guest Josiah Queen as part of the Nebraska State Fair Concert Series. Matthew West, the reigning K-LOVE Artist of the Year and celebrated songwriter with two decades of experience, brought his signature blend of personal storytelling and worship. Josiah Queen, known for his heartfelt worship music and the viral impact of songs like “I Am Barabbas,” opened the evening

Imagination Bacon

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 1

The Heartland Events Center hosted the 10th-Annual Imagination Bacon: Bacon & Brews for Books, a festive benefit organized by Heartland United Way. Attendees enjoyed tastings from craft brewers and wineries, bacon-inspired appetizers, a pork-sandwich meal, live music by The Talbott Brothers and an exciting silent auction. All proceeds from the event support the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program, which provides free, age-appropriate books monthly to children ages 0-5 in Hall, Hamilton, Howard, and Merrick Counties. Every dollar raised goes toward shipping and purchasing books for enrolled children, with the goal of ensuring that each child begins kindergarten with a collection of stories to call their own.

Shop & Skate Craft Vendor Show

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SATURDAY, JULY 26 - SUNDAY, JULY 27

The Heartland Events Center hosted the inaugural Shop & Skate Craft Vendor Show July 26-27, offering a weekend that blended local artisan shopping with family-friendly roller skating. Vendors—approximately 25 in all—filled the second-floor concourse with handmade goods and creative wares, while the Eihusen Arena floor became an active skating rink inside the building. The event, timed to coincide with the Hall County Fair outside, aimed to revive roller skating in Grand Island, provide an affordable weekend outing, and build community engagement through local vendors and entertainment.

American Dairy Goat Association National Show

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FRIDAY, JULY 11 - FRIDAY, JULY 18

The 2025 American Dairy Goat Association (ADGA) National Show, held at the Heartland Events Center in Grand Island from July 11-18, marked the 79th edition of the prestigious gathering of dairy goat breeders and exhibitors. Featuring more than 541 exhibitors and 3,314 individual goats from across the United States, the event showcased breeding excellence, animal genetics, milk‐production testing and linear appraisal. Judges for the week included Julie Matthys, Dan Laney, Jennifer Lohman-Peterson, Dustin Noble, Peter Snyder and Ben Rupchis. With it being the first time the event has been hosted in Nebraska, organizers noted the exceptional hospitality and community spirit, emphasizing both competition and the broader educational and pedigree preservation mission of ADGA.

**Photos courtesy of Josh Salmon/The Independent

4H National Shooting Sports Championships

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SUNDAY, JUNE 22 - FRIDAY, JUNE 27

The event took place June 22-27 at the Heartland Public Shooting Park in Grand Island after opening ceremonies at the HEC kicked things off! It marked the 25th anniversary of the championships and the 15th year the contest has been hosted in Grand Island. More than 730 youth participants from 40 states competed across nine contest disciplines including small-bore rifle and pistol, air rifle, air pistol, both compound and recurve archery, shotgun, muzzleloading and a hunting skills event. In addition to competition, the event emphasized life skills — responsibility, leadership, goal setting — with many youth stating they value the camaraderie, personal growth, and experience more than winning. The competition wrapped up with an overall awards ceremony at the Heartland Events Center.

Nebraska Truck Driving Championships

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THURSDAY, JUNE 5 - SATURDAY, JUNE 7

The 2025 Nebraska Truck Driving Championships, held June 6–7 at Fonner Park, featured Nebraska’s top CDL drivers competing across ten truck classes—ranging from straight trucks to twin trailers and mixer rigs—through a multi-round contest that included a written exam, vehicle inspection, interview by Nebraska State Patrol and a challenging six-staged driving course. Mark Cole of Old Dominion Freight Line earned the coveted Grand Champion title; meanwhile, Joe McDonnell (XPO Logistics) and Garrett Campbell (FedEx) tied as Rookie of the Year, and Todd Gimpel (FedEx Freight) secured the Professional Excellence Award for highest written test score. Special honors included Jacob Friederich (Lyman‑Richey) receiving the Bucky Buchholtz Top Driver Award for outstanding driving-course performance, Clinton Rast (ABF Freight) taking the Kurt Everett Vehicle Condition Award for best pre-trip inspection and Thomas Canning (Old Dominion Freight Line) earning the Jerry Wessel Award for professionalism and longevity. Winners from each class also qualified to advance to the national competition in Minneapolis in August.

88th Nebraska Fire School

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FRIDAY, MAY 16 - SUNDAY, MAY 18

The 88th Annual Nebraska Fire School, organized by the Nebraska State Volunteer Firefighter’s Association (NSVFA) in partnership with the State Fire Marshal’s Training Division, took place from May 16-18. Hosted at the Heartland Events Center and Fonner Park Campus, as well as various sites throughout the city, the event offered 33 comprehensive classes covering all phases of firemanship, fire investigation, rescue, fire safety, leadership, officer training, fire prevention and emergency medical services . The Fire School has been a cornerstone of firefighter education since its inception in 1937, providing essential training and fostering camaraderie among Nebraska’s firefighting community. With approximately 85% of Nebraska’s firefighters serving as volunteers, the Fire School plays a vital role in equipping them with the skills necessary to protect their communities. Vendor exhibits also showcased the latest in firefighting equipment and technology. Attendees explored a wide array of products and services designed to enhance firefighting capabilities and safety.

Grand Island Senior High Graduation

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SUNDAY, MAY 11

Grand Island Senior High (GISH) held its graduation ceremony at the Heartland Events Center, celebrating the accomplishments of the Class of 2025. The event was marked by a notable speech from graduate Kenny Morales, who used his platform to candidly address concerns about the school's culture, highlighting issues such as frequent altercations and a perceived lack of transparency in addressing underlying problems. Morales's remarks sparked a mix of reactions from the audience, drawing attention to the importance of open dialogue within the school community. The ceremony also recognized students for their academic achievements, with honors distinctions such as Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Cum Laude, reflecting the diverse talents and dedication of the graduating class. Family, friends, faculty, and staff gathered to support and congratulate the graduates as they embarked on the next chapter of their lives.

**All Photos Courtesy of Grand Island Public Schools

CCC Graduation

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FRIDAY, MAY 9

Central Community College celebrated its 2025 graduation ceremony at the Heartland Events Center, honoring the achievements of its graduates in a memorable event. The ceremony featured inspiring speeches, the conferral of degrees, and recognition of student accomplishments, marking a significant milestone for the CCC community. Family, friends, faculty, and staff gathered to support and congratulate the graduates as they embarked on the next chapter of their lives.

Golden Gloves Midwest Regional Tournament

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FRIDAY, APRIL 4 - SATURDAY, APRIL 5

The 2025 Golden Gloves Midwest Regional Tournament showcased the region's top amateur boxing talent. Hosted by Double R Boxing, the event featured two nights of intense competition, with district bouts on Friday and regional finals on Saturday. Notable fighters included three-time Midwest Golden Glove champion Jason Lua, two-time National Golden Glove winner Beltrand Fofung, and four-time National Golden Glove champion Jose Carlito Mejia. The tournament provided a platform for emerging boxers to demonstrate their skills and vie for regional titles, contributing to the rich boxing tradition in the Midwest.

Harlem Globetrotters World Tour

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19

The Harlem Globetrotters brought their signature blend of basketball wizardry and family-friendly entertainment to the Heartland Events Center once again. Fans were treated to high-flying dunks, dazzling trick shots, and interactive moments that kept the crowd engaged throughout the evening. The Globetrotters' charismatic players showcased their skills and humor, ensuring a memorable experience for attendees of all ages. For those unable to attend due to weather conditions, the Harlem Globetrotters honored tickets for future games in 2025 or the upcoming 2026 World Tour, ensuring that fans didn't miss out on the excitement.

Rodeo Grand Island

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28 - SATURDAY, MARCH 1

The 2025 Rodeo Grand Island took center stage at the Heartland Events Center and delivered two nights of high-octane PRCA rodeo action. Presented by the award-winning Sutton Rodeo team, the event featured over 400 PRCA contestants, including world champions, Wrangler National Finals qualifiers, and circuit champions. Competitors showcased their skills in all seven rodeo events: bareback riding, tie-down roping, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, team roping, barrel racing and bull riding. The rodeo also offered family-friendly entertainment, specialty acts, and appearances by rodeo queens, creating a festive atmosphere for attendees of all ages. Rodeo Grand Island provided an exciting experience for rodeo enthusiasts in the heart of Nebraska.

Nebraska Cheer & Dance Championships

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20 - SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22

The 2025 Nebraska State Cheer & Dance Championships lit up the Heartland Events Center from February 20-22, bringing together top high school and middle school teams from across the state. Hosted by the Nebraska Coaches Association, the event featured spirited competitions in various categories, including cheerleading, pom, jazz, hip-hop and high kick. Teams showcased their athleticism and creativity in front of enthusiastic crowds, with each session culminating in an awards ceremony recognizing the top performers. The championships not only highlighted the talent and dedication of Nebraska's student-athletes but also fostered a sense of community and school pride.

Heartland Hoops Classic

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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15

The 2025 Heartland Hoops Classic showcased a dynamic lineup of high school basketball match-ups, featuring both Nebraska teams and out-of-state opponents. The event provided fans with a unique opportunity to witness interclass games not typically seen during the regular season. Notable games included Sidney's narrow 48–47 victory over Grand Island Central Catholic, Ashland-Greenwood's commanding 53–32 win against Adams Central and Lincoln Lutheran's close 42–38 triumph over Doniphan-Trumbull.

The day also featured impressive performances from out-of-state teams, with Mt. Zion Prep from Maryland defeating Sunrise Christian Academy from Kansas 62–57, and Wasatch Academy from Utah securing a 67–48 win over Millard North. The Heartland Hoops Classic continues to be a premier event, bringing together top-tier basketball talent and providing fans with exciting and competitive games.