Many of the homes in Seward are “decked out” for the big “USA-250” Semiquincentennial Celebration – celebrating the United States 250th Birthday! The Seward Rotary Club and SHS FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) judged the homes on Sunday evening, June 28th and are excited to announce and recognize the many outstanding home decorations promoting Seward’s Fourth of July celebration. Named Grand Prize winners this year were the Keith and Ellen Gardiner Family at 214 Roberts Street for overall “Best Nighttime July 4 Display” -honoring the US Branches of the military and the Charles and Mary Gebhardt at 640 South 2nd Street with a host of Revolutionary Cutout Characters standing all over the yard that were created by the Gebhardt’s. Both will be awarded the First place trophies by the Seward Rotary and FBLA and a “must see” for the community!
Twenty-seven homes were recognized by the committee, as “In the Spirit” for the July 4 celebration in Seward. Other top finishers in the contest were the home of Jill and Jarod Hochstein at 357 Star Street-winning the “Patriot Award,” the Derek and Molly Bargmann home at 142 Bradford winning the “Seward Spirit” award and the Gary Rolf Family at 404 Lincoln Street winning the Seward Rotary Club’s “President’s Award!” The Rotary “Chairman’s Award” was presented to the Lloyd Lipska home at 1611 North First Street featuring a blow-up Red, White and Blue July 4 dragon and US Flags all up and down the street! The Historic Gil and Marie Blomenberg Family home at 345 North Second Street was named the “July 4 Classic” Award. The top two first place homes will receive a special trophy by the Seward Rotary Club, to recognize their efforts and thank them for their leadership in promoting and helping to make Seward a “red, white and blue” community-however all of the decorated homes are appreciated and fun to enjoy.
The contest was sponsored by the Seward Rotary Club and assisted by the Seward High FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America). Judges were members of both clubs, with co-chair Ken Schmieding for the Rotary Club, assisted by Rotarians Greg Zabka and Clark Kolterman and FBLA representatives Austin and Owen Rodocker for SHS FBLA and Riley Nuttleman-SHS FBLA Alumni President. A van of dedicated club members judged the nominated homes on Saturday evening June 28, 2026! The judging may appear early, but the committee wanted to announce the awards in the Seward County Independent prior to the Fourth, so individuals could “check out the homes for themselves!
“This is wonderful USA Semiquincentennial Project for our Seward Rotary Club and we invite all to see so many homes in Seward who have taken on the Fourth of July excitement. Our Seward Rotary is honored to recognize and thank all of the families who took time to create a fun outdoor “red, white and blue” theme for the community to enjoy! The slogan for the Seward Fourth is ‘One Nation, Many Stories!’ What great community spirit-Rotary thanks, salutes and honors all of the nominees!” stated Seward Rotary Club member Greg Zabka.
Other decorated homes receiving Honorable Mention and deserving a “must see” included…
Daytime Decorating Honorable Mention…
The Arneson Family 636 North 5th Street
The Nelson Family 1451 North First Street
The Karen O’Dell Home 1800 Karol Kay Blvd
The Zabka Family 1456 Karol Kay Blvd
The David Fiala Family 411 North Columbia Avenue
The Mayfield Family at 505 South Third
The Engel’s, 505 North 3rd
The Kozisek’s, 1750 Meadow Lane
The Novak’s, 901 Bradford Avenue
The Urbanek’s, 710 North Avenue
The Royak’s, 142 Seward Street
The Wake’s, 136 North Columbia
The Peter’s, 1744 Columbia Avenue
The Slack’s, 1257 Eastridge Drive
The Terry Kamprath’s, 938 Cherry Lane
The Lenz Family, 1721 Rainbow
The Nelson’s Family, 444 North 7th Street
The Dworak Family, 329 South 6th Street
The Temple Family, 1250 Augusta Street
The Cooksey Family, 1051 North First Street
Recognized Nighttime decorated home Honorable Mentioned included…
The Kremer Family 2105 North First Street
The Nitz Family, 1935 Karol Kay Blvd.
The Cooksey Family, 1102 North 6th Street
The Bolte’s, 712 Hillcrest Avenue
The Johnson’s, 733 East Pinewood Avenue
The Brecka’s, 530 Seventh Street
The Wickersham’s, 906 North Third Street
The judges also wanted to recognize and thank Merle’s Flower Shop, Liberty House, The Blue Bench, Allure Fashions, Etcetera, The Rivoli Theater, the Second Closet, Chapter’s Books and Gifts, 14Tin, and the Nebraska National Guard Museum for their creative, patriotic and red, white and blue store window displays.
The contest was judged on Sunday, June 28, 2026. Questions should be directed to Rotarian Ken Schmieding-Project Chairman, or assistant co-chair FBLA Leaders Austin and Owen Rodocker of Seward High School.