On Thursday, Oct. 16, the McCook Creative District’s Third Thursdays will wrap up the 2025
season.
Taking place in downtown McCook, the event features a new host every month who puts their
own spin on the evening. Community Hospital featured health and wellness. Valmont served as
the lead during the County Music Showdown. Court-Appointed Special Advocates - CASA -
teamed with Judge Payne’s Upstream project to serve dinner family-style on Norris Avenue.
The McCook Chamber took over all of Norris Avenue with retailers offering special sales and
specials before school started. And the Norris Institute showcased not only itself but the
McCook Volunteers and the numerous non-profits serving our community.
Suddenly, we are at the last Third Thursday, which will be co-hosted by McCook Community
College and the McCook Community Foundation Fund.
College students and athletes will fill Norris Avenue between D and E Streets with games and
activities from 5-8 p.m. There will be holiday-themed entertainment including a costume-contest
with judging at 6:30 p.m. so it's another great opportunity to wear those costumes more than
just once this Halloween season.
And in a first, MCFF’s Youth Change Reaction is hosting a walk-up/outdoor movie in Norris
Alley. While YCR has been hosting movies at the Red Willow County fairgrounds as part of
Cars Under the Stars, they will be using the “Blue Wall” as a back-drop to show a kid-friendly
Halloween-movie, which will start at approximately 7 p.m. Chairs and tables are available in
Norris Alley but people are encouraged to bring their own comfy seats and a blanket or two
because it will likely get cool after the sun goes down.
There will be food and drinks to purchase during Third Thursday but feel free to bring your own
snacks, popcorn and pop to enjoy during the show.
And as always, there is no cost for the Third Thursdays. There is no cost for the fun and games.
There is no cost for the movie. This is just an opportunity to put away your screens for a couple
hours, enjoy the company of friends and neighbors, and to take advantage of the beautiful areas
available for use in our community.
Ultimately, that is what Third Thursdays are for, to bring back those memories of engaging in
conversations on the sidewalk with your neighbors and enjoying the company of friends as you
stroll down the street. It is also a time to create those memories for our children, of coloring with
chalk on the sidewalk, of running and laughing as the sun sets and the streetlights come on.
Third Thursdays may be a simple concept but it is an idea worth returning to.
And these events have not gone unrecognized. The McCook Creative District received a
“CreDis Award” during the Nebraska Arts Council’s Creative District gathering in Norfolk in
September. The award recognized the district for the Third Thursdays, specifically for bringing
people together and for encouraging organizations and businesses to get involved as hosts.
Although the second year of McCook’s Third Thursday is coming to an end soon, plans are
already underway for the 2026 season. If this is something you would like more information
about or to be involved, please contact the Creative District at mccookcreativity@gmail.com.
There are lots of ways to be a part of Third Thursdays, from being a host of the entire evening to
being a vendor during the event to providing musical entertainment or sharing artistic talents.
Or perhaps it is even the most important way to be involved: just showing up and enjoying the
evening.
Take advantage of the last Third Thursday of the 2025 season Thursday, Oct. 16 on Norris
Avenue in McCook. Take the opportunity to get to know your neighbors and friends just a little
bit better. And take the time to make memories that will last long beyond just this Third
Thursday.
