Along with marching in the parade, the high schools will tour the U.S. Capitol, visit Mount Vernon and other monuments and museums.

Around 80 Grand Island students are making the trip. Lee said the students cover their own costs, with fundraising largely run though the school’s booster program helping offset the expense.

Bishop Neumann’s 53 students benefited from community donations, along with a holiday greenery sale and fundraisers, which Kellett said helped cover airfare and other costs.

For both directors, the trip carries extra weight tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary.

“That’s a pretty big milestone,” Lee said. “And to be able to be a part of that is pretty neat.”

Kellett said the moment will stay with students long after the parade ends.

“These kids, they’ll be around for the 300th anniversary of the country, and they’ll be able to look back and tell their grandkids, ‘you know, I was there at 250 and was able to march in the National Independence Day Parade,’” Kellett said.

Both bands have spent the summer preparing. Grand Island started working on its music after its final spring concert in May, rehearsing its marching and music together on Tuesday evenings.

Bishop Neumann has rehearsed continuously over the summer and marched in two parades to prepare, a 150th anniversary celebration in Weston and the Papillion Days parade.

Kellett said the band’s last rehearsal in Wahoo drew residents who lined the streets holding signs and cheering the students on.

“The students have come in, and they’ve worked really hard,” Kellett said. “They have their music memorized and they’ve worked on their marching skills, and so all that effort into this they’re ready to go for the parade.”

The parade starts at 9:30 a.m. CT Saturday at Third Street and Constitution Avenue.

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – Like his father, Zack Erstad is a Husker. Erstad, the son of Hall of Fame baseball player Darin Erstad, joined the Nebraska men’s golf program on Tuesday.

Zack signed with the Huskers one month after winning a state championship at Lincoln East. With the Spartans, Erstad was a two-time NSAA champion. He was Class A’s individual runner-up in 2026. The previous year, Erstad claimed the Nebraska Junior PGA Championship title.

Erstad said joining the Huskers is a dream come true. The Nebraska newcomer grew up playing baseball and hockey. However, he focused solely on golf while in high school.

Click here to subscribe to our 10/11 NOW daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email inbox.

It could take years for the U.S. Supreme Court to resolve Nebraska’s water dispute with Colorado. But Attorney General Mike Hilgers said in the meantime, work on the Perkins County Canal should continue.

Hilgers’ comments on Tuesday came one day after the Supreme Court said it will consider Nebraska’s complaints that Colorado’s not sending enough water across the state line on the South Platte River and is blocking Nebraska’s attempt to build a canal to bring more. Hilgers said it could take three to five years for a special master to make a recommendation and the court to decide. And he said while it’s up to the Legislature, it would make sense to proceed with planning and construction on the canal.

“We need to be able to show the court, which is ultimately true, which is Nebraska is committed to doing this. I do see the policy wisdom, but even more importantly… from our perspective, it’s critical from a litigation perspective to really be able to push forward on this,” Hilgers said.

The Legislature has set aside $630 million for the canal. Separate from the court case, the Army Corps of Engineers must still decide whether to issue a permit for the project.