Grand Island Tourism awards Liederkranz $15,000 grant
GRAND ISLAND, NE - Grand Island Tourism recently presented the Liederkranz German Club of Grand Island a ceremonial check for $15,000. The check represents a 2026 grant for constructing an outdoor performance stage at the 156-year-old institution.
In the Liederkranz’s grant application, Past President Ryan Rozendal said, “events hosted by the Liederkranz, like the Craft Brew and Sausage Fest and Oktoberfest, have provided live music to the public for years, so our members had a vision to provide more music offerings. Another stage for performances will help us fulfill that expanded vision.”
The club, whose name means "wreath of song” in German, holds several annual events which feature music, plus hosts listening room performances that are open to the public. It utilizes various areas both inside and outside for those performances.
Grand Island Tourism’s grant facilitator, Dana Jelinek, said, “We are happy to support the Liederkranz’s efforts, which enhance their space and provide an attraction for visitors."
Jelinek said that the Liederkranz and its history are unique, which is something that tourists look for when visiting an area. Last summer, the Liederkranz hosted a conference of travel writers who wrote about, videoed, and photographed their evening at the club, which included German games and music. The club is also featured in Grand Island Tourism’s sales guides provided to group travel planners.
The Visitor Improvement Fund (VIF) grant program provides funding to create new or improve existing visitor attractions and/or facilities within Hall County. Eligible applicants are those owned by the public or any nonprofit organization as outlined in the Nebraska Visitors Development Act. Funding is derived from an occupancy tax on hotel stays in Hall County.
The next VIF grant cycle will open later this year for projects in 2027. For information on guidelines for the grant, or to be put on a list to receive information, contact Dana Jelinek at [email protected] or 308-382-4400.