Today in Omaha the “River City Roundup” begins, a five-day event that’s billed as a celebration of agriculture and western heritage. Organizer Sherman Berg is president of the 55-year sponsor of the event, the “Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben.” He says it’s a review of our heritage, saying “every once in a while you have to stop and look back at your past.” In addition to professional cowboys counting up their final points of the season on the rodeo circuit, there’ll be special events. Lots of young people come out and part of the attraction is a barbecue competition and a Well Blue Bunny ice-cream-eating contest. The roundup begins today, rodeo competition is Thursday through Saturday, and big-name entertainment includes Brad Paisley and Reba McIntyre. Sunday the roundup honors Omaha’s 150th birthday with a performance by the “Heartland of America” Air Force Band from Offut Air Force Base.
