Holdrege Gears Up for 2nd Annual Iron Horse Arts Festival: A Celebration of Rural Creativity and Community

Date: August 5, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  Cassie Ehrenberg, Executive Director at Iron Horse Arts District, at (949) 295-7018, or director@ironhorsedistrict.org

Holdrege Gears Up for 2nd Annual Iron Horse Arts Festival: A Celebration of Rural Creativity and Community

Holdrege, Neb. — The Iron Horse Arts District is thrilled to share the return of the Iron Horse Arts Festival on Saturday, August 23, an all-day celebration of rural artistry, live music, food, and community connection in the heart of downtown Holdrege.

This year’s Festival is bigger and bolder, with a full lineup of vendors, live demonstrations, family-friendly activities, and an evening concert headlined by Jaelen Johnston, runner-up on The Voice Season 27. Daytime activities during the Artisan Expo are free and open to the public between 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Planned activities include a family-friendly concert by The String Beans, a Jackson Pollock painting experience by the Don Sjogren Community YMCA, a multi-person pedal bike tour of the District, National Art Honor Society face painting, basket weaving, blocking printing, a performance by Nebraska State Poet Jewel Rodgers, plus food trucks, and more.

“The Festival is about more than just entertainment — it’s about building pride in our rural creative identity,” said Cassie Ehrenberg, Executive Director of the Iron Horse Arts District. “We’re creating space for artists, makers, musicians, and neighbors to connect, and we’re inviting everyone to be part of that story.”

The evening concert begins at 7:00 pm (gates open at 5:30 pm) in front of the Ironhorse Station, featuring opening acts Kyle Sayler Band and Jaden Schumacher, followed by Johnston’s headlining performance around 9:30 pm. Tickets are on sale now, with both General Admission and Meet & Greet options available. [Meet & Greet is only available in advance.]

For more details, visit ironhorsedistrict.org/ihaf-2025; to buy tickets for the concert, you can also go directly to jaelen-johnston-ihaf2025.eventbrite.com. 

Thanks to all of our sponsors and grantors who made this event a reality, particularly: the Nebraska Arts Council, Sherwood Foundation, Ag Service Associates, Landmark Implement, Phelps Memorial Health Center, IES Electric, Wilkins A|D|P,  Adjacent Properties, and BD. 

For more information on this and other Iron Horse Arts District programming, visit www.ironhorsedistrict.org or follow @ironhorsedistrict37 on Facebook and Instagram, or @ironhorsedist37 on Twitter/X.