Holdrege is a town of about 5,500 in south-central Nebraska that is richly rooted in agriculture, art, and music. It is named after railroad businessman George W. Holdrege. From its earliest days, the arts have thrived in the Holdrege. Performers such as Tommy Dorsey, Frank Sinatra, John Philip Sousa, Lawrence Welk, and Will Rogers once drew large crowds at the Holdrege City Auditorium in downtown Holdrege.
After losing its steam for a while, downtown Holdrege is coming to life again with new restaurants, entertainment venues, and art events. The Iron Horse District builds on that momentum.
The Iron Horse signature event in September features a full day of art immersion culminating in an outdoor concert featuring up-and-coming musicians performing in front of the historic Iron Horse Station. JB’s Sports Bar and Grill regularly hosts live music, including performances by our very own Nebraska Country Music Hall of Fame Honoree Luke Mills. Live bands also perform in downtown Holdrege during Swedish Days in mid-June.
Four world-renowned bronze sculptors hail from Holdrege, and 15 of their sculptures can be seen around town. Several of those sculptures are located in the district, including two on the courthouse lawn. Other sculptures will soon be displayed in the new Midtown Sculpture Garden, which brings new life to the downtown area by replacing a building that was past its prime with a beautiful park.
Besides crafting delicious beer, Holdrege’s Lost Way Brewery is a hub for artistic events such as the Pages & Pints book club, Lego-building nights, painting events (including a paint with beer night!), and the summer Maker’s Market.
The recently renovated Holdrege Sun Theater and Event Venue features the latest movies, community events, and opportunities to be creative at painting nights. The Holdrege Public Library hosts regular artistic events for all ages, including paint and craft nights, book clubs, author talks, and musical performances.
Shoppers are invited to stop and smell the flowers at Holdrege Floral Expressions or browse through small-town-friendly boutiques and stores. Enjoy a bite to eat at the new Drive Golf & Lounge or Catrinas Mexican Cuisine or visit with friends while enjoying a sweet treat and a specialty drink at 4th Avenue Coffee. Future dreams for the district include lights, banners, murals, and an art gallery/center.
Our mission is to create a vibrant and attractive destination for residents and visitors and celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit and artistic roots of the community. It will encourage lifelong learning through memorable experiences and immersive events, foster a sense of belonging, promote historical preservation and create economic prosperity and sustainability.
The vision of the Iron Horse Creative Arts District is to build a regionally recognized creative scene that cultivates and showcases artists while enhancing the visibility and vitality of the community.