Mary Jane Skala: The ghosts are nearly gone. It's time for holiday craft shows
KEARNEY — Ghosts and goblins show up every Halloween. So does the astonishing Halloween extravaganza, displayed every other year by Kent and Cindy Barney.
It's a tradition carried out the last 25 years by the Barneys, their children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other relatives from across the state. They arrive the Friday night before Halloween and sleep at the Barney home (or sneak off to a hotel for peace and quiet) the night before.
Saturday morning, they get all busy carving more than 75 pumpkins from Urmiller's Melon Patch in Ravenna. Barney told the Hub a few years ago that some carvers require two hours to create the perfect pumpkin, while others may get three or four done in that time.
When sunset looms, it takes family members 15 minutes to set all the pumpkins out in the front yard and light the oil lamps inside them.
The public was invited to park and walk through the yard and enjoy the sights.
The display alternates each year between the Barney home here and that of relatives in O'Neill.
ART GALA — With Halloween gone, it's time for craft festivals and pre-holiday events.
This weekend will be the annual two-day Art Gala, a festive art show and sale put on by the Kearney Art Guild and the Merryman Center for the Performing Arts. It's from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Merryman Center for the Performing Arts at 225 W. 22nd St.
HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE — Downtown shops will be gussied up for the Holiday Open House from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday along Central Avenue.
Shops will display gift merchandise and offer refreshments. Some will have live music. It's free.
HOLIDAY SPLENDOR — One week later, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 9, will be the annual Holiday Splendor, a craft and trade fair at the Expo building at the Buffalo County Fairgrounds.
An annual event put on by the Community Action Partnership of Mid-Nebraska, its 250 booths will offer clothing, jelly, jewelry, leather goods, small furniture, artwork and lots and lots of Christmas decorations.
It's free, but attendees are invited to bring non-perishables for Mid's food banks.
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