Sidney celebrates century and a half

At any given moment, a resident or visitor of Sidney will hear the whistle of a train crossing through town, or the thunder of a fast-moving train moving east to west, effectively disecting the north side from the south.

The presence of a military base, albeit the Nebraska National Guard, is a subtle reminder that the military and the railroad have worked together since the founding of the Sidney community. The Sidney community started with the railroad, and expanded when railroad track layers needed protection from Indian raids.

The conflicts with Indians eventually subsided and Sidney became a farming and ranching community, also drawing from the cattle industry. Less than 75 years into its existence, Sidney diversified its economy with the first operational oil well in western Nebraska.

Those events and many more will be remembered this weekend as Sidney celebrates 150 years with its Sesquicentennial Celebration, beginning at the city’s oldest building Friday night.

Camp Lookout, located at 10th and Elm streets, has been refurbished to give visitors a look at what life was like in the late 1860s when it provided shelter for soldiers watching over the railroad. The Camp Lookout kickoff will be at 6 p.m. with a proclamation from the city council, followed by tours and other activities.

Across town, the Way Out West Theatre group will perform The Complete History of America Abridged at the Sidney Elks Lodge at 7 p.m.

Sidney Farmer’s Market opens activities Saturday at 8 a.m. in Hickory Square, while runners and walkers can participate in the Smokin’ Gun 5k run/walk at Legion Park. Registration is at 8 a.m. with the run at 8:30.

Activities turn to downtown at 10 a.m., when the Sinful Sidney Parade runs the length of Illinois, from 10th to Seventh Avenues. At that time, a car show will also be held at 10th and Jackson, while vendors line 10th Avenue downtown beginning at 11 a.m.

Hickory Street, originally Sidney’s Front Street, will play a big role in other activities, from games for the youngsters to historical reenactments. Those wanting to experience old-time transportation can also take carriage rides from 9th and Hickory.

Saturday activities close with what has become a popular series, when Downtown Sounds presents Rascal Martinez with oldies and alternative music.

Sand volleyball, a church service and a family fun day, the later at the Cheyenne County Fairgrounds, wrap up the celebration on Sunday.

All the information and schedule is included in the Sun-Telegraph’s 150th Anniversary Special Edition, an insert in today’s paper. In this edition, we celebrate Sidney’s 150th year as a community. It includes some of the history that has brought Sidney to where it is today.