"Cranes on Parade" returns to Kearney

A familiar Kearney art tradition is returning this year- but with a new twist!  Residents and visitors to Kearney have likely seen 6-foot tall, colorful crane sculptures around the city.  These public art pieces were past initiatives of Kearney Dawn Rotary, designed to celebrate one of Nebraska's most iconic events: the Sandhill Crane migration.  

This year, inspired by the annual migration of nearly 800,000 Sandhill Cranes through Central Nebraska, "Cranes on Parade 4" will feature beautifully designed aluminum crane sculptures installed throughout Kearney's business districts. These pieces will provide a year-round celebration of art, nature, and community pride. Each installation will feature a back-to-back pair of artist-designed cranes mounted on light poles. The project continues a tradition of using public art to enhance the community while supporting charitable initiatives and local organizations. 

A total of 100 cranes will be unveiled in late October, celebrating the collective work of dozens of local Nebraska artists.  The public is invited to see the artwork free of charge at Rowe Sanctuary's Iain Nicolson Audubon Center From Oct 23rd through Nov 7^th during normal business hours (Tues-Sat, 10 am - 5 pm). 

The cranes will be installed in their permanent homes around the community starting in January, with completion scheduled before the onset of crane season visitation in March.