City of Red Energizes Lincoln
In a year complete with challenges to our community, our businesses and our way of life, it’s more important than ever before to collaborate on work to find the best solutions possible to offer support to our local economy.
Normally, the college football season would have kicked off with thousands of visitors traveling to Lincoln, filling our hotels, bars and restaurants and gathering to watch the Huskers with friends and family wherever possible. This year, that was not the case, as it looked like there would not be football at all in 2020. As a result, even more challenges surfaced for all local businesses that benefitted from Husker home football Saturdays.
Thankfully, with games returning and the “City of Red” campaign launched by the Lincoln Convention and Visitors Bureau (CityOfRed.com), University of Nebraska Athletic Department and Downtown Lincoln Association, the tradition of game days remains alive in Lincoln as we prepare for the return of Husker football in late October.
On Saturdays in Lincoln and across our state, we wear red—not only for our teams, but for our community. Red displays our passion, inspires us and most importantly, unites us. Though football season looks quite a bit different than in previous years, there will be ample ways to show our spirit and keep our community connected through the time-honored tradition of game day Saturdays.
“With many Husker fans’ calendars already containing holds for game day weekends this fall, it is time to be creative and explore new means of game day weekends in Lincoln,” says Jeff Maul, executive director of the Lincoln Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Lincoln stepped up in the spring to help our restaurant sector and now it is our turn to continue to dine out, but also help our hospitality and small business partners across the city.”
Now is the time to wear red, make plans and recreate the game day vibe we all love in safe and responsible ways that are consistent with ongoing health guidelines set forth by the city and local government. Lincoln restaurants, bars and lodging facilities are eager to welcome guests and a unique Husker season is just around the corner on the field, with the “City of Red” campaign beginning the first week of September. Local businesses have responded in a big way and jumped into the promotion alongside us. You can learn more about what businesses are doing in support of this impactful initiative by visiting CityOfRed.com—we also want to hear your suggestions on what you would like to see.
Coupled with “City of Red”, the Lincoln CVB has also launched the “Get a Room” campaign to lift up our local hotels. Our premise is simple—whether you are a Lincolnite or a visitor to Lincoln, plan a fun weekend in the city and stay at one of our hotels, for one night, two nights or more. Throughout our city, our local hotels provide vital services to visitors and like our restaurants, it is time for us to lift them up and help them bring business back as we look ahead to a better year in 2021.
The atmosphere in Lincoln surrounding a crisp, fall afternoon with family, football and friends creates countless memories. While it will look different this fall, Lincoln will still be the place to be on game day Saturdays.
The Chamber of Commerce’s mission is to improve the lives of Lincoln residents by providing increased economic opportunity and can only be accomplished together. For more information, contact Derek Feyerherm at dfeyerherm@lincoln.org.