About

2025 Buttons

Abby Glassgow of Glassgow Designs in Ellsworth submitted the winning design for our contest held in early 2023. With nearly 50 designs to choose from, the festival board had a tough time picking a winner, but in the end, Abby’s simple, yet elegant design was selected to represent our festival. Every year we change the logo color a bit to use for our buttons. In 2023 we also began hosting a youth button design contest for kids to draw an image for use on the buttons. 4th-grade artist Hope Kling won the 2025 contest for the second year in a row–we should all be watching this budding artist over the coming years! Hope is the daughter of Trent and Jess Kling. Here are this year’s buttons.

Admission

Advance Purchase: Adults $10.00 Youth 5-18 $3.00

At the Gate: Adults $12.00 Youth 5-18 $5.00

Buttons may be purchased in advance at:

Gordon: First National Bank, Grocery Mart, Chamber of Commerce, Stockmen’s Drug, Gordon Memorial Hospital, Kut & Kurl, Gordon Vision Center

Other Sites: Security First Bank in Merriman, Rushville, Chadron, Martin, Cody, Hay Springs, and Crawford. Vision Center in Chadron. Chamber of Commerce in Chadron. Sandhill Oil in Hyannis, Carter’s Home, Hardware & Appliance in Alliance

A single willow tree…

A single willow tree on the banks of Antelope Creek served as a landmark along the Gordon Trail for settlers, fur traders, and Native Americans.

In 1885, Reverend John Scamahorn and 104 settlers from Indiana set up camp at the Lone Willow. Later that year, the town moved a mile west to accommodate the railroad. The Lone Willow Tree, however, continued to serve as a meeting place for cowboys and cattlemen during early cattle round-ups.

Just about a hundred years later, community members came together to organize a festival that would celebrate our region by bringing high quality artists to perform on multiple stages with dozens of high-end crafters and artisans in booths all around the city park. In a contest to name the festival, the organizers chose “Willow Tree Festival.”

Four decades of fall festivals!

In 2024, the Willow Tree Festival celebrated its 40th anniversary as a kaleidoscope of entertainment for the whole family with simultaneous performances on three stages. Art and Craft Vendors surround the grounds and “Food Row” offers divine taste treats. There are children’s activities to entertain the young at heart and two museums that are open for your enjoyment. The festival grounds encompass two city parks and the community building. Adjacent streets are blocked off to make the grounds a large, safe area for all day family fun.

Festival Hours

Saturday: 10:00 – 5:00

Sunday: 10:00 – 4:00

One button will admit you to both days of festival activities.

Church Service

The annual ecumenical church service will be held at the Gazebo stage beginning at 9:00 a.m. Sunday morning.

Support and Volunteers

The Willow Tree Festival is truly a community event made possible by many volunteers, donors and organizations. Without these people, who number more than 400, it would be impossible to experience the magic of the Willow Tree Festival.

To see the current list of Willow Tree Board Members click here.

The majority of funding comes from our area businesses and individuals whose continued support is unmeasurable. Check out the Festival Sponsors page to learn more about the organizations, companies, and people who make our festival happen.

Please Remember: No Pets Allowed