EVENTS
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2nd Wind Ranch Annual Christmas Lighting ______________________ WINDMILL ENTERPRISES
Dempster House Bed & Breakfast
______________________ OTHER ACTIVITIES
______________________ NEWSPAPER ARTICLES-PHOTOS
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The population of Comstock fills the stage of the 2nd Wind Ranch, home of the Nebraska's biggest music festvals.
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A town of about 85 people sits in the center of Nebraska that remained hidden away in the hills of Custer County up until about five years ago. Now it is not uncommon for someone from out of State to ask where Kearney or Grand Island, two of Nebraska's largest cities, are located in relation to the small village of Comstock. The once dying town of Comstock, Nebraska has been put on the map as one of America's hottest spots for Country, Rock, and Christian music festivals thanks to the vision of two men that came to life in a pasture 3 miles North of the town.
The 2nd Wind Ranch is located right in the middle of “God’s Country” surrounded by beautifully untouched hills and green valleys. It remains isolated from the hustle and bustle of everyday city life and includes the peaceful background of the beautiful countryside. But what makes the journey to the 2nd Wind Ranch different from any other getaway is that it’s a historic journey to the days of the pioneer who settled the West. The 2nd Wind Ranch was founded upon a hobby that turned into a business--that of collecting and restoring windmills. But there are not just any windmills. Sitting on the ranch are windmills that vary in size from 6 ft in diameter to the mighty “20 footer.” Size, shape, color and age all make the windmills a truly unique collection that graze the sky. Laid out on a forty-acre pasture, the scene is truly an amazing sight. Currently approximately 30 windmills stand on the 2nd Wind Ranch, but soon 125 will tower in the air making it the largest standing collection of water pumping windmills in the world. Many people ask "Why Windmills?" On the ranch stands a sign that puts to words the reasoning behind the venture.
Included on the 2nd Wind Ranch are three businesses to help support the cause. The Dempster House is a 104-year old house that has been restored with a beautiful wrap around porch. It sits on the East side of the 2nd Wind Ranch and possesses an amazing view of the country side. The Dempster House functions as a Bed and “Fix Your Own” Breakfast and has five rooms all ready for reservations. Inside the house is the Dempster House Restaurant serving some of the best food in the area. The restaurant is open on Saturday nights throughout the year and provides a wonderful excuse for the family to get away and enjoy the scenic serenity of the 2nd Wind on a Saturday night. On the East side of the 2nd Wind Ranch sits a craft barn called the Crosswind Mercantile. It features the work of over 65 artisans and craftsman and is open by appointment.
In the summer months the peaceful hills of the 2nd Wind Ranch are transformed into a bustling city of thousands of music goers from all over the country. The first Comstock Windmill Festival which took place in June of 2000 featuring hit country star Brad Paisley marked off an annual event that would bring in the hottest country acts from all over the country. Comstock Windmill Festival 2001 expanded the one day event into a four day festival that would forever leave its mark in the heart of Nebraska. Chely Wright, Sara Evans, the Warren Brothers, Chris Cagle, the Oak Ridge Boys, Daryle Singletary, Rhett Akins, Brad Paisley, Alabama, Charlie Daniels, Jo Dee Messina, Diamond Rio, Sawyer Brown, Phil Vassar, Sons of the Dessert, Martina McBride, Kenny Chesney, Gary Allen, Randy Travis, Kenny Rogers, Collin Raye and Neal McCoy have all been among the hugest names in Nashville to grace the stage of Comstock during the Windmill Festival and its September counterpart the Harvest Festival. The Comstock Windmill Festival continues to touch the lives of thousands of people all over the Midwest as it continues into its fifth year. Despite the growing attendence to the country festivals, Comstock could hardly ignore the growing demand to see a rock festival take place at the 2nd Wind Ranch. In 2002 REO Speedwagon, Ted Nugent, Lynyrd Skynard, Lifehouse, and variety of other rock bands rocked Comstock in Nebraska's biggest pasture party. Dubbed Comstock Rock, the Midwest's biggest rock festival has featured the hottest names in classic rock including Def Leppard, George Thorogood, Grand Funk Railroad, Jackyl, Steppenwolf, Little River Band, Walter Trout, Creedence Clearwater Revisited, Molly Hatchet, Blue Oyster Cult, Foghat, and more. The unique atmosphere created by Comstock Rock continues to draw people from all over the nation. Comstock's newest addition is truly an answer to a call from above. The first Godstock took place in August of 2003 and featured some of Christian music's biggest names. Rebecca St. James, Pillar, Big Dismal, 4HIM, Plus One, and Salvador all contributed to what will be soon be known as one of Nebraska's biggest revivals. Due to high wind the stage collapsed on the second day of the first festival preventing Michael W. Smith and the |
