Enders’ 100th a sunny success; up to 1,000 attend

    Despite Saturday’s 90-degree temperatures, all reports indicate the day’s 100th anniversary celebration of Nebraska’s state parks at Enders Lake was a great success.
    It was such a success, Game and Parks officials plan to organize a big event like it each year.
    “It was a pretty good weekend,” said Beau Licking, superintendent at Enders Lake Recreation Area.    
    “About the only complaint we had were the temperatures.”
    He and event co-coordinator Dayna Scherbarth estimated between 750 and 1,000 people attended the many events throughout the day.
    Events started early with a 5K run, and continued until late with a concert by Shooter Jaxx of Benkelman, the latter attended by 175 to 200 people.
    In between there were car, truck and tractor shows, a Gould Brothers trick shooting show, a Smokin’ on the Lake BBQ contest, fun in the water with kayaks and several information trailers brought in by the Game and Parks Commission.
    Eleven smokers took part in the BBQ contest.
    The big winner was Smoke & Spice BBQ of Lamar, who took the Grand Champion honors, and also won three of the four individual divisions.
    Pit & Spits BBQ of Wauneta took the reserve honors, winning one of the divisions and taking second in another.
    Each contestant cooked three meats and a side dish. Two of the meats, pork butt and ribs, were provided by the contest organizers. Contestants also cooked another meat of their choice and a side dish.
    After winners were announced, those attending were able to taste-test the BBQ meats and side dishes.
    “I’d say the food was gone in 30 to 40 minutes,” Licking said.
    The featured event of the day drew a crowd estimated at 300 to watch the the Gould Brothers shooting exhibition.
    The brothers, Aaron and Steve Gould of Alexandria, Minnesota, executed a variety of trick shots using their shotguns.
    The shooters battled the wind but showed why they are renowned for their shooting.
    Some of their tricks included shooting clay pigeons from behind the back, over their heads, between their legs, bending over and exchanging and loading guns before breaking the rocks.
    All of Saturday’s events were made possible with numerous sponsors, which have been recognized in pre-event advertising and posters.
    Licking and Scherbarth already have ideas for continuing with an annual celebration at Enders Lake.
    “It won’t be a 100-year event of course, but it will include most of the same activities,” Licking said.
    “This was such a success we already have in the works a big event like this for next year,” he said.