The Iron Horse Arts Festival is a Can’t-Miss Event in Phelps County

July 31, 2025

Save the date for Saturday, August 23, for the 2025 Iron Horse Arts Festival in Downtown Holdrege. The event features art displays and demonstrations, live music, local food trucks, and artisan vendors from around the region. This year’s headliner is Jaelen Johnston, from Season 27 of The Voice, performing alongside Jaden Schumacher and the Kyle Sayler Band.

“The Iron Horse Arts Festival is one of the newest celebrations in Phelps County,” says Cassie Ehrenberg, Executive Director of the Iron Horse Arts District. “It grows a little each year and brings in more community members, visitors, and vendors. We’re excited that so many people are eager to jump in and be part of this event.”

More than 1,000 people are expected to attend the Iron Horse Arts Festival. Anyone can be part of this event and participate as a vendor, guest, or volunteer.

The Daytime Artisan Expo is Open to the Public

The first part of the Iron Horse Arts Festival is the artisan expo, which runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There are live demonstrations, mural painting, storytelling, poetry, dance performances, makers, vendors, a pedal bike tour of the District, and impressive displays of various crafts. Adults and children alike can enjoy live music throughout the day, including a kid-centric performance by The String Beans. Kids can also enjoy a Jackson Pollock painting activity hosted by the YMCA.

“We have returning vendors who enjoy participating in the festival, along with some new faces this year,” says Ehrenberg. “Even if you attended the event last year, you will still enjoy it this year with new vendors, music, and activities.”

The Iron Horse Arts District typically closes applications for vendors in July. Spaces are $60 each, and each vendor will receive a 10’ x 10’ area to set up.

The Nighttime Concert is a Separately Ticketed Event

The Iron Horse Arts Festival continues through the night with a live outdoor concert on the Flyover Country Stage. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for Jaelen Johnston, Jaden Schumacher, and the Kyle Sayler Band. The concert runs from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., rain or shine. There will also be food trucks and drink vendors inside the gates.

Attendees are encouraged to buy their tickets ahead of time for the concert. Tickets start at $35 for general admission, with a special meet and greet option at $55.

“This is truly a community festival because there’s something for everyone,” says Ehrenberg. “Some people come from the art, others for the music. It’s a great event because attendees can spend time with friends and neighbors and enjoy life in Phelps County.”

The Arts Festival Showcases the Best of Phelps County

The Iron Horse Arts Festival is just one of several projects by the Iron Horse Arts District. In 2024, the District unveiled a new mural on the Rite Way Milk building that encapsulates the spirit of Phelps County. It also led a project to install Festoon Lighting in Downtown Holdrege.

“Our goal is to make Phelps County a place where people want to live,” says Ron Tillery, executive director of the Phelps County Development Corporation (PCDC). “Companies continue to struggle with hiring, but communities need to create reasons for people to move there. When people choose Phelps County, it’s easier for businesses to discover our corner of Nebraska and decide it's a good fit for their investments.”

This festival follows the June Midsummer Festival, which is organized by the Holdrege Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Phelps County Fair. Various events throughout the year bring neighbors together and provide opportunities for residents to relax and enjoy life in their chosen rural Nebraska community.

Get Involved in the Iron Horse Arts Festival

There are several ways for residents and business owners to get involved in the Iron Horse Arts Festival. Contact Cassie Ehrenberg at director@ironhorsedistrict.org to see if there are open vendor spaces or volunteer opportunities. Businesses around town can promote the festival online and by displaying flyers in their storefronts.

Residents can also support the festival by attending. This is a great way to enjoy a Saturday with family and friends while learning about the growing arts scene in Phelps County. Buying from the vendors and food trucks is also a wonderful way to support small business owners and entrepreneurs in the area.

Learn More About Phelps County

Future residents, business owners, and site selectors can turn to PCDC to learn about the amenities in the various communities around Phelps County. From new properties at the Iron Horse Business & Industry Park to GO! Programs supporting workforce development, there are several opportunities to collaborate with economic development leaders and grow in the region. The residents of Phelps County are passionate about where they live, and cultural events like the Iron Horse Arts Festival showcase why the community is so great.

Phelps County Development Corporation has the tools, information, and skills to assist you with relocation for your business or family. PCDC is ready to help with housing and project advocacy, including permitting, timely utilities, and financial assistance. Contact PCDC at (308) 995-4148 or pcdc@phelpscountyne.com today. To further explore “Why Phelps,” download the community guide.