Considering the near record heat that occurred on Saturday, fortunately there were no heat related incidents other than some nasty sun burns.  Temperatures on the sand that day were some of our events were held were estimated to reach up to and possibly over 100 degrees. 

According to NOHVA rider sign-ins, 1,900 ATV and dirtbike riders attended the 25^th semi-annual Jamboree.  Most of the jamboree participants arrived Friday night and stayed until Sunday afternoon.  Riders from as far away as Montana registered for the event.  Most riders were from Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota and Missouri.

On Saturday, three events were held.  The first event, held at 1 PM was a barrel race and was geared for younger and family riders.  Later at 3 PM a flat track sand race was held and was geared toward more competitive riders.  Lastly, a poker run is held where riders have to find other riders with a deck of cards.  The best hand for the poker run received a choice of gifts.  On Sunday, over 360 drag races were staged on the sand.  The informal drag races had entries from 10 year olds to seniors.  The machines that took part ranged from utility ATVs to full blown high dollar special sand drag ATVs.  The high performance machines are crowd favorites with hundreds of riders watching the races. 

Special guests to this years Jamboree were representatives of the National Off Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC) featuring the NOHVCC Adventure Trail Truck.  NOHVCC is based in Sheboygan Wisconsin and is an publically supported education and information foundation.  Dan Kleen, President of NOHVCC along with NOHVCC representatives Joe Vance and Frank Vahn were present at Jamboree to show people around the NOHVCC Adventure Trail truck display.  The Adventure Trail is an educational project geared towards younger riders that encourages safe and responsible ATV use.  According to NOHVCC President Dan Kleen, the 25th Jamboree is one of the largest events of this type in the nation.

Winners of the Genoa Rescue Squad benefit raffle:

On behalf of the Nebraska Off Highway Vehicle Association, Dan Nitzel would like to thank the volunteers with the Genoa Rescue Squad for their assistance at the 25th Jamboree. Their commitment as volunteers to the Rescue Squad is greatly appreciated by those who are occasionally in need of medical assistance.  They are indeed a valuable asset to the Genoa community.

In addition to the Rescue Squad, NOHVA would like to thank the Genoa High School Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) organization for helping with paperwork and at the main tent.  They also sold fire wood to campers to help benefit the 13 talented finalists to go the National FBLA convention in Orlando Florida to be held in June. 

The volunteers with the Genoa Medical Facility who had a food stand at the Jamboree were greatly appreciated!  The cold beverages on a hot Saturday was a welcome treat!

We'd like to thank the fine people at Central Valley Ag in Genoa for providing a water wagon to keep the dust under control.  Additionally, thanks to Alan Mohr for allowing jamboree participants to use his pasture for the over flow camping and parking. 

Curry Bros. Motorsports in Columbus is a big supporter of the event in many ways.  Not only do they help sponsor the Jamboree, they donated an ATV, a helmet and a $50 gift certificate to be raffled off by the Genoa Rescue Squad.  They also donated items raffled off by the Genoa Medical Facility food stand and the big 300 item raffle at the end of the jamboree. 

The Jamborees and the existence of the park would not be possible if it were not for the combined efforts of Loup Power, the Nance County Sheriffs Department and the Genoa Rescue Squad.

The Loup employees who are based at the Headgates place a considerable amount of effort into preparing the area for ATV and dirtbike riders, and for the jamboree by maintaining the area through out the year.  This exceptional efforts by them is greatly appreciated!  We would like to especially thank Gary Pierson for his leadership and understanding at the Headgates.

It is our intention to promote the jamboree events as a family type activity.  The Nance County Sheriff’s department helps keep attendees of the Jamborees under control, and they help patrol the area through out the year. Sheriff Kruse and Chief Deputy Dave Moore, and their staff have been outstanding in working with all the parties involved at the area.

Lastly, we want to thank the businesses and the people of Genoa and Fullerton for their warm welcome of ATV and dirtbike riders that attend the jamboree, and riders who visit Headworks Park through out the year. Headworks Park is the only public area open to operate an ATV and dirtbike for recreation in the eastern half of Nebraska. It is one of the finest ATV and dirtbike parks in the central plains.

NOHVA’s next Jamboree is presently planned for October 2005. As usual, plans are to keep the event a family based activity.  NOHVA is currently planning a committee to better organize and operate the off-road events, specifically the drag races.   NOHVA will have more details about the next event in coming months.  If anyone has any questions or suggestions, please contact  Dan Nitzel at home at 308-381-2143 or visit NOHVA’s web site at www.nohva.com .

Since 1987, Nebraska's recreational ATV and off-road motorcycle users have joined the Nebraska Off Highway Vehicle Association (NOHVA) to have fun and support public places to ride.   NOHVA advocates environmentally sound, law abiding, safety minded and responsible off-highway recreation.

Dan Nitzel, Business Manager and Co-Founder
Nebraska Off Highway Vehicle Association