Second annual Platte Valley Tailwinds event hosted in Cozad (2024)

COZAD — For the second year in a row, Platte Valley Tailwinds took place at the Cozad Municipal Airport Friday through Sunday.

Much like last year, the event promoted hot-air balloon flights, a car show, games for children, camping and other activities.

Despite adverse weather conditions that led to the cancellation of some planned balloon events, community members still participated in tethered rides, balloon glow and morning flights.

The volunteers committee for this year’s event included Allison Johnson, Theresa Osborn, Karlie Buss, Jordan Starman, Dawn Beans, Bob Mann, Travis and Patricia Westfall, Dave Lahm, Justin Morris and Dreu Halligan.

Buss said the committee started having conversations for 2024 plans immediately after last year’s inaugural event. Formal monthly meetings began to take place in January, with some months having two meetings.

One of the many volunteers from last year’s event, Buss said she felt last year’s event went really smoothly. She added that many of the balloon pilots were also happy with the turnout.

But Buss said she believe many community members last year were unaware of the Platte Valley Tailwinds event.

“The feedback that I got from a lot of people last year was that the information just wasn’t out there to the public,” Buss said. “They didn’t feel like they knew what was going on, so we’ve really focused on changing that this year.”

Buss said she and many of the volunteers committee made an effort to engage with community members both in person and on social media during the months before the event.

For this year’s event, Buss expressed her gratitude to all the sponsors and volunteers.

Buss gave special acknowledgement to Cozad’s FFA, which helped set up in different areas of the Cozad Airport.

On Friday, Platte Valley Tailwinds had planned to kick off the first day of activities with hot-air balloon flights starting at 6 a.m.

However, due to weather conditions, balloon flights were canceled that morning to ensure the safety of the community.

Despite this setback, pilots were able to set up their balloons on the ground and encouraged community members to ask questions.

Twelve hours later, community members showed up for live music by Sweetwater Band, a steak and burger cookout and a beer garden.

Despite occasional rain in the forecast, the event saw a smooth transition into the cruise night.

Much like last year, each vehicle drove around different areas in Cozad, including the Meadowlark Pointe and Emerald Nursing and Rehab, before returning to the Cozad Airport.

Sweetwater Band performed after the cruise, but the planned hot-air balloon glow at dusk was canceled due to the weather, along with Saturday’s 6 a.m. hot-air balloon flight.

Saturday saw more events taking place throughout the day at the airport. Vehicles entered in the car show competing in different categories: People’s Choice, Best Hot Rod, Best Original/Stock, Best in Show, Best Truck and Best Late Model.

Live music by Full Denim Jacket and the James Lee Band was featured Saturday.

With more favorable weather conditions that day, community members were able to enjoy tethered rides — an opportunity for a safe flight inside the balloon basket while it remained securely tethered to the ground, providing a unique experience without ascending high into the sky.

Following that, attendees were treated to a balloon glow showcase — an event where hot air balloons are inflated and arranged in a designated area after sunset, allowing people to view them up close and marvel at their beauty.

On Sunday morning, attendees finally had the opportunity to take to the skies with hot-air balloon flights. This was followed by the Father’s Day Champagne Brunch, which served as a conclusion to the 2024 Platte Valley Tailwinds events.

Throughout the three-day event, Buss, the volunteer committee and community volunteers members were walking around to make sure everything was going smoothly.

Volunteers wore lanyards with emergency contacts, and idea Buss said she got from another festival she attended. Buss said she took this extra measure to ensure safety for community members, especially with the unpredictable weather conditions.

The day before the Tailwinds event, Buss said, “We have no idea what the crowd is going to look like. We’re just trying to keep people safe, and we even hired security this year to help manage the crowd.”

Buss said she is hopeful that Platte Valley Tailwinds will continue as an annual event, but the Cozad airport won’t be available for 2025-26 because of other potential events.

Despite the location setback, Buss said the Tailwinds committee has all the resources needed to continue the event as soon as they receive official confirmation of a new venue.

Sponsors for this year’s event included Black Hills Energy, Cobblestone Hotel and Suites, Cozad Tourism, The Home Agency, Tyson Foods, Mid State Aviation, Homestead Bank, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Cozad Services, Platte Valley Farms, Darr Feedlot, Paulsen Inc., Pony Express, Chevrolet, Cozad Alfalfa, Jack’s Welding, Berreckman & Bazata, Sonny’s Super Foods, Eagle Communications, Flash Electric, Stiver Construction, Security First Bank, Natural Escapes of Cozad, KBBN, Rooted Realty, Frito-Lay,, Country Partners Cooperative, Eustis Body Shop, Cozad Community Leaders, Viterra, KRVN, Rustic and Red, Scott and Roz Trusdale, 222 Hardware and Shoemaker.