Ogallala City Council Recognizes Service, Plans First-Ever Drone Show for July 4th

Podcast with Ogallala City Manager Kevin Wilkins on Sandhills Spotlight, originally heard on Z93.5 Country on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 with Derek Beck.

 

OGALLALA, Neb.  — The Ogallala City Council held its regular bi-monthly meeting Tuesday evening, recognizing longtime city employees, proclaiming National Library Week, April 6–12. Mayor Steven Krajewski recognized Jason Curtis & Tracy Hood for 25 years of service to the City of Ogallala in the Street Department.   

The city is also preparing for the city’s first-ever drone show this Fourth of July weekend. 

In light of anticipated fire restrictions this summer, the city has opted to replace its traditional Fourth of July fireworks display with a drone show. City Administrator Kevin Wilkins said there is an estimated 95% chance a fire ban will be in place by early July, based on consultations with local fire officials. 

“We needed to make a decision,” Wilkins said. “We’re also about $7,000 short in fundraising for a fireworks show, and the council is prepared to underwrite that if needed.” 

Instead, the city has contracted Fantasy Drone Shows of Norfolk for a performance on Saturday, July 5. The company is scheduled to perform a show in Colorado the night before and will return through Ogallala, reducing the cost of the typically $80,000 production to $25,000. The show will take place near the Soap Box Derby Track and the Western Diamond Baseball/Softball Complex. 

In other business, the council reviewed a funding request from the Keith County Area Housing Development Corporation regarding the former Ogallala Middle School building, and Auditorium. Vacant for several years, the property is slated for redevelopment into a 44-unit apartment complex through an adaptive reuse project. 

The corporation is seeking $460,000 in Local Option Municipal Economic Development Act (LB840) funds to address environmental issues, including asbestos, and to begin demolition work. Wilkins said once the building is abated and cleared, it will be transferred to a private developer for construction. 

“We’re hoping to start demolition by late summer and move toward acquisition by midwinter,” Wilkins said, adding that the projected construction timeline is about 12 months. 

The city and housing development corporation are also pursuing historic district designation for the site as part of the revitalization effort.