By Ava Mixan
The weekend of August 15th and 16th was one to remember in Louisville, NE. Main Street was blocked off, filled with people, and an excitement could be felt throughout. Dynamite Pete Days is an annual event that first began in July of 2021. This jam packed weekend started bright and early on Saturday morning with the 2026 Hill No! 5K Run and the 1-mile kids’ run, both directed by Micah and Ashley Kohles.
The 3x3 Basketball Tournament started shortly after and was chaired by Allison Mixan, Brooke Mixan, and Sarah Ryan, with help from the high school girls and boys basketball teams. This tournament does more than just bring Louisville's community together. It brings in people from surrounding towns as well to be a part of the Dynamite Pete Days celebration.
“My favorite part is being able to ensure that a successful event is available for the youth of our community. It gives families something to come to. It also brings in other teams from surrounding communities for a little bit of friendly competition,” Allison Mixan said.
The Louisville Main Street merchants participate in the community celebration by hosting the Booming Boutique Bash, the Scholastic Book Fair & Coloring Contest, and the Balloon Pop.
In the mid-afternoon the Frog Jumping Contest, chaired by Troy Boyle and Eric Halsey, began. This contest is a very entertaining and exciting event that is beloved by the youth in the community from preschool kids all the way to high school students.
“My favorite part about Dynamite Pete Days is the frog races. I really enjoy feeling like a kid again with my friends each year,” Sophomore Harper Stohlmann said.
As the Frog Jumping Contest came to a close, the focal point of Dynamite Pete Days, the carnival and street dance, began. Many high school kids help volunteer their time to help the Main Street night bash run seamlessly. Both the Louisville girls volleyball and dance teams help run the kids carnival for the youth. Louisville High School’s student council volunteered their time to run a hotdog stand that gives free meals to Louisville kids.
“It can be very stressful when we do so many things as a member of the dance team, but it is always worth it and more fun when you create memories with the people you love,” Sophomore Kayci Wetterberg said.
As Saturday came to a close, day two of the festival began. The morning started off with the annual Pancake Feed at the Louisville Volunteer Fire Department, which rolled into other Sunday events. The vendor fair, the bake sale run by Louisville High School’s cheer team, the car show, a lunch pop up at the American Legion, and the kids’ foam party help keep people entertained on Sunday. The Hot Sunday Car Show, however, is the main attraction that brings people in from the surrounding areas.
While the Hot Sunday Car Show is the highlight of Dynamite Pete Days for many adults, the highlight for many of the kids is the foam party on Sunday. With 2026 being the third year of the foam party celebration, the kids had developed an excitement towards the fun (and foam) filled event.
“It makes me very happy to see the kids' faces full of joy. Knowing that as a one-act team member I took hours out of my weekend at Dynamite Pete Days to help these kids have a memorable time at a successful event,” Sophomore Jack Kilton said.
Dynamite Pete Days has found its mark in the hearts and souls of the community. Dynamite Pete Days is coordinated by the Louisville Area Foundation. The event would not be possible without the partnership of the City of Louisville, Louisville Public Schools Foundation and the many school and community organizations who volunteer their time.