Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben
Encyclopedia
The Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben Foundation, http://www.aksarben.org, is a 501(c)(3) civic and philanthropic
organization in Omaha, Nebraska
.
in Omaha after receiving an ultimatum to provide entertainment "other than saloons, gambling houses and honky tonks." The board's solution was to strike out to secure all the floats used that year in the Mardi Gras
parade in New Orleans
. While in New Orleans, they decided to model their organization on the parade's Krewe
concept complete with "royalty" and "coronations." According to the organization's web site, Dudley Smith suggested a name for the new organization, and was quoted as saying, "Why not reverse the name of our beloved state, since everything seems to be going backwards these days?"
The name is "Nebraska" spelled in reverse, and with Smith's suggestion, Ak-Sar-Ben was born. While the purpose of the organization was to save the Nebraska State Fair
for Omaha, it was eventually moved to Lincoln
and subsequently to Grand Island
.
Among other initiatives the group has pursued was the purchase of the Douglas Street Bridge (the first road bridge across the Missouri River
) in hopes of taking its tolls off (the bridge was renamed the Ak-Sar-Ben Bridge
). From the 1920s through the 1990s, the Knights built and operated a horse racing track and arena complex, also named Ak-Sar-Ben
. In 1992 the Knights donated the horse racing track and arena complex to a new legal entity - the Ak-Sar-Ben Future Trust. This organization is currently developing the property for multi-purpose use.
The Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben Foundation continues its efforts to serve the 112 year old mission of "building a more properous heartland where communities can flourish and every child can succeed." The organization supports financial need based scholarship programs, administers Nebraska's Pioneer Farm
program, Good Neighbor Awards, and Ike Friedman Leadership Awards. It produces the Ak-Sar-Ben 4-H Livestock Exposition, Ak-Sar-Ben's River City Roundup and the Ak-Sar-Ben Coronation Ball.
The Ak-Sar-Ben 4-H Livestock Exposition, http://www.aksarben.org was established in 1927 and has a mission of enpowering youth to reach their full potential as productive adults through learning opportunities which develop live skills and character.
Ak-Sar-Ben's River City Roundup is an annual festival of the region's heritage. Its three core events include the Douglas County Fair, The Ak-Sar-Ben 4-H Livestock Exposition, and the Ak-Sar-Ben Rodeo, host of the Wrangler ProRodeo Tour - Omaha Round http://www.rivercityroundup.org.
Ak-Sar-Ben's Coronation Ball is a celebration of volunteerism and civic pride. It is a fund-raising event that supports need-based scholarship programs and recognizes the volunteer efforts of individuals throughout the region through the honoring of families.
In 2005, the Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights
of the American Hockey League
were named after the Knights, which had a minority ownership stake in the team, but after two seasons of mediocre attendance the franchise was relocated in 2007 to the Quad Cities
; it is currently located in Abbotsford, British Columbia
.
Philanthropy
Philanthropy etymologically means "the love of humanity"—love in the sense of caring for, nourishing, developing, or enhancing; humanity in the sense of "what it is to be human," or "human potential." In modern practical terms, it is "private initiatives for public good, focusing on quality of...
organization in Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
.
History
The organization was formed in 1895 in an attempt to keep the Nebraska State FairNebraska State Fair
The Nebraska State Fair is a state fair held annually in Grand Island. It is an approximately ten-day event; since the early 1990s, the fair ends on Labor Day. Prior to 2010, the fair was held in Lincoln, Nebraska.-History:...
in Omaha after receiving an ultimatum to provide entertainment "other than saloons, gambling houses and honky tonks." The board's solution was to strike out to secure all the floats used that year in the Mardi Gras
New Orleans Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana, is a Carnival celebration well-known throughout the world.The New Orleans Carnival season, with roots in preparing for the start of the Christian season of Lent, starts after Twelfth Night, on Epiphany . It is a season of parades, balls , and king cake parties...
parade in New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
. While in New Orleans, they decided to model their organization on the parade's Krewe
Krewe
A krewe is an organization that puts on a parade and or a ball for the Carnival season. The term is best known for its association with New Orleans Mardi Gras, but is also used in other Carnival celebrations around the Gulf of Mexico, such as the Gasparilla Pirate Festival in Tampa, Florida, and...
concept complete with "royalty" and "coronations." According to the organization's web site, Dudley Smith suggested a name for the new organization, and was quoted as saying, "Why not reverse the name of our beloved state, since everything seems to be going backwards these days?"
The name is "Nebraska" spelled in reverse, and with Smith's suggestion, Ak-Sar-Ben was born. While the purpose of the organization was to save the Nebraska State Fair
Nebraska State Fair
The Nebraska State Fair is a state fair held annually in Grand Island. It is an approximately ten-day event; since the early 1990s, the fair ends on Labor Day. Prior to 2010, the fair was held in Lincoln, Nebraska.-History:...
for Omaha, it was eventually moved to Lincoln
Lincoln, Nebraska
The City of Lincoln is the capital and the second-most populous city of the US state of Nebraska. Lincoln is also the county seat of Lancaster County and the home of the University of Nebraska. Lincoln's 2010 Census population was 258,379....
and subsequently to Grand Island
Grand Island, Nebraska
Grand Island is a city in and the county seat of Hall County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 48,520 at the 2010 census.Grand Island is home to the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center which is the sole agency responsible for training law enforcement officers throughout the state,...
.
Initiatives
Missouri River
The Missouri River flows through the central United States, and is a tributary of the Mississippi River. It is the longest river in North America and drains the third largest area, though only the thirteenth largest by discharge. The Missouri's watershed encompasses most of the American Great...
) in hopes of taking its tolls off (the bridge was renamed the Ak-Sar-Ben Bridge
Ak-Sar-Ben Bridge
The Ak-Sar-Ben Bridge was a truss bridge that was the first road bridge to cross the Missouri River connecting Omaha, Nebraska and Council Bluffs, Iowa...
). From the 1920s through the 1990s, the Knights built and operated a horse racing track and arena complex, also named Ak-Sar-Ben
Ak-Sar-Ben
Ak-Sar-Ben, or Aksarben, was an indoor arena and horse racing complex in Omaha, Nebraska. Built to fund the civic and philanthropic activities of the Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben, the thoroughbred race track was built in 1920 and the Coliseum was built in 1929...
. In 1992 the Knights donated the horse racing track and arena complex to a new legal entity - the Ak-Sar-Ben Future Trust. This organization is currently developing the property for multi-purpose use.
The Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben Foundation continues its efforts to serve the 112 year old mission of "building a more properous heartland where communities can flourish and every child can succeed." The organization supports financial need based scholarship programs, administers Nebraska's Pioneer Farm
Pioneer Farm
Pioneer Farm, also known as the McCurdy House, is a historic home located at Dansville in Livingston County, New York. It is a two story brick residence built in 1822 by James McCurdy, son of Dansville's first settler....
program, Good Neighbor Awards, and Ike Friedman Leadership Awards. It produces the Ak-Sar-Ben 4-H Livestock Exposition, Ak-Sar-Ben's River City Roundup and the Ak-Sar-Ben Coronation Ball.
The Ak-Sar-Ben 4-H Livestock Exposition, http://www.aksarben.org was established in 1927 and has a mission of enpowering youth to reach their full potential as productive adults through learning opportunities which develop live skills and character.
Ak-Sar-Ben's River City Roundup is an annual festival of the region's heritage. Its three core events include the Douglas County Fair, The Ak-Sar-Ben 4-H Livestock Exposition, and the Ak-Sar-Ben Rodeo, host of the Wrangler ProRodeo Tour - Omaha Round http://www.rivercityroundup.org.
Ak-Sar-Ben's Coronation Ball is a celebration of volunteerism and civic pride. It is a fund-raising event that supports need-based scholarship programs and recognizes the volunteer efforts of individuals throughout the region through the honoring of families.
In 2005, the Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights
Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights
The Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights were a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Omaha, Nebraska, USA at the Omaha Civic Auditorium from 2005–07...
of the American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
were named after the Knights, which had a minority ownership stake in the team, but after two seasons of mediocre attendance the franchise was relocated in 2007 to the Quad Cities
Quad Cities
The Quad Cities is a group of five cities straddling the Mississippi River on the Iowa–Illinois boundary. These cities, Davenport and Bettendorf and Rock Island, Moline, and East Moline , are the center of the Quad Cities Metropolitan Area, which, as of 2010, had an estimated population of...
; it is currently located in Abbotsford, British Columbia
Abbotsford Heat
The Abbotsford Heat are a professional ice hockey team based in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada. The Heat began play during 2009-10 season, and are the affiliate of the National Hockey League's Calgary Flames...
.