20 | Destination Elwood/Johnson Lake 2024
elwood & johnson lake attractions You’ll Have a Great Time
Johnson Lake has been referred to as Nebraska’s best-kept secret partly due to the pure enjoyment of lakeside living, but also due to the number of attractions, activities and outright outdoor fun! The Lake offers a wide variety of on-the- water fun including boating, sailing, water skiing, Jet Skiing® and wakeboarding. Johnson Lake is known across the region for excellent fishing (boasting some of the best walleye fishing the country), hunting and wildlife viewing. The fun isn’t all about being near or on the water. The area offers a local 18-hole golf course including 11 courses within a 50-mile radius. The hike and bike project provides residents and visitors with 7.6 miles of off-road trails at the lake. Other attractions include two public beaches, two state campgrounds, shopping, and annual events such as the Memorial Day Community Garage Sale, local county fairs, Elwood Carnival, Fourth of July Fireworks Show, fishing tournaments, sailing regattas, Antique Shows (Lexington). Come see for yourself. We guarantee you’ll have a great time! Other year-round attractions and events going on in Gosper County: The Annual Elwood Spring Gala, hosted by the Elwood Area Foundation,
takes place in late March every year. This elegant affair is a community fundraiser disguised as a fantastic night out. Each year, a sold-out crowd is treated to an incredible dinner, complimentary beverages, and live entertainment. Proceeds from the Gala auction are used for youth grants and grants for community projects. The House on the Hill Bed & Breakfast & Catering holds classes ranging from crafting to cooking to gardening. In July, Gosper County increases in size as alumni, family members, and folks from neighboring communities come to Elwood to celebrate the world-famous Gosper County Fair and Rodeo. Our hometown operated, family-friendly carnival is open Thursday- Friday- Saturday from 7 p.m. to midnight, and the Rodeo is held on Thursday and Friday evenings. The carnival is full of rides and games for all ages, and includes a full concession stand. Other fair-time events include a golf scramble, sand volleyball tournament, horseshoe tournament, 4-H events and displays, free entertainment at the Civic Center bandstand, and a parade every other year on “odd” years. Fall and winter months in Gosper County are full of sporting events, Husker
parties and good food. The Great Elwood Chili Cook-off is a bi-annual event, held on election years. The general public is invited to show off their best chili or soup; or, if you are more into eating than cooking, we invite you to come out and try all the offerings and vote on your favorite. In December, the Elwood Chamber hosts Old Fashioned Christmas, where businesses and organizations invite the public to attend their open houses in beautiful downtown Elwood. Attendees can talk to Santa at the Gosper County Senior Center, ride on a fire truck at the Fire Hall, and be treated to endless amounts of delicious food at each stop, all while entering drawings for door prizes and Chamber Bucks. Be sure to check out the Elwood Chamber’s Facebook Page or website www. elwoodnebraska.com, for the latest news on attractions in Gosper County, as well as the dates for Old Fashioned Christmas and other upcoming events. The Johnson Lake State Recreation Area is another favorite of outdoor lovers. Ten minutes north of Elwood, Johnson Lake SRA offers excellent camping, fishing (including ice fishing) and water sports. This recreation area packs a lot of
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