2023 BIDWELL FAMILY REUNION
COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA & OMAHA, NEBRASKA
July 27 – 31, 2023
Holiday Inn & Suites @ Ameristar
2022 River Road — Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501
Council Bluffs, Iowa and Omaha, Nebraska are located on either side of the Missouri River.
Our group will be staying at the Holiday Inn & Suites @ Ameristar in Council Bluffs.
Tours will be in both Iowa and Nebraska.
This will be the first time the BFA has visited the state of Nebraska. Omaha is the largest city in Nebraska and is known for its pioneer history, museums and cultural centers. Omaha is also home to one of the world’s best zoos, The Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium.
Council Bluffs, is located 4 miles East of Omaha. It is known for its casinos and ties to the transcontinental railroad. It is called “Iowa’s Leading Edge.”
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SCHEDULE OF REUNION EVENTS
Thursday, July 27, 2023 ~ Arrival & Registration
BFA Attendee Registration 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Please stop by our table in the hotel lobby to register and pick up important information.
Dinner on your own ~ Evening is free to catch up with cousins
Friday, July 28, 2023 – Durham Museum & Old Market Omaha
BFA Board Meeting
Morning is free for non-board members
Lunch & Guided Tour of The Durham Museum
We will begin our afternoon with lunch at “The Soda Fountain” located in the Durham Museum followed by a guided tour of the museum.
Located in downtown Omaha, The Durham Museum is located in one of Omaha’s most unique treasures, Omaha Union Station. Union station opened to great fanfare on January 15, 1931 and quickly became one of the busiest stations in the nation. The Durham Museum offers a fascinating look at the history of the Omaha region with exhibits covering subjects ranging from history & culture, to science & industry and more.
The afternoon and evening are free to allow attendees to explore Omaha on their own Dinner on your own
Saturday, July 29, 2023 –Squirrel Cage Jail & BFA Scavenger Hunt
We will spend Saturday in Council Bluff’s Iowa and begin our day with a tour of the Squirrel Cage Jail. The jail was built in 1885 and was in continuous use until 1969. The design and size of the jail makes it a one-of-a-kind structure. It was one of 18 revolving jails built. It is the only three-story one ever built.
After our tour, attendees will set out on their own to participate in the “BFA Scavenger” hunt in Council Bluffs. Prizes for first, second, and third place will be awarded on Saturday night!
General BFA Business Meeting ~ Banquet Dinner ~ BFA Auction
Memorial Service ~ Remembering those we lost
Banquet Dinner & BFA Annual Auction*
*BFA AUCTION*
We ask that attendees bring at least one item to be auctioned off during our annual BFA Auction.
Please have information on your item and/or its approximate value.
Payment for items won during the auction is required at the end of the evening.
Payments accepted: Cash or Check only. If you have questions about an item you wish to bring, please contact the reunion committee at tbidwellny@roadrunner.com.
Sunday, July 30, 2023 – A Day in Nebraska
Sunday morning, we will board our motor-coach for a day of exploring Nebraska!
Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum in Ashland, NE
Our first stop will be in Ashland, Nebraska to visit the Strategic Air Museum. The museum is home to one of the largest collections of Cold War aircraft and artifacts in the United States. A Smithsonian affiliate the museum preserves and displays historic aircraft, missiles, and space vehicles. The museum is a 300,000-square-foot facility that features a glass atrium that is constructed of 525 glass panels that encase a Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird. The museum has something for all ages!
Our group will enjoy an informative guided tour of the museum and free time to explore. If desired, for an additional fee, attendees can ride a flight simulator! We will enjoy lunch in the museum’s café before departing for our next stop.
Holy Family Shrine, Gretna, NE
We will visit the Holy Family Shrine in Gretna, Nebraska. A beautiful chapel with walls made from glass windows over looking the prairie of the Platte Valley.
We will have free time to explore the Visitor’s Center, gift shop, and the Chapel itself.
Dinner at Spaghetti Works in Ralston, NE
Our group will end a full day with a delicious dinner
Monday, July 31, 2023 ~ Departure Day
Hotel check out 11 am
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Eppley Airfield also known as Omaha Airport (OMA)
Eppley Airfield is located 3 miles NE of downtown Omaha.
The airport is serviced by the following airlines: Alaska, Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, Southwest, Sun Country and United.
HOLIDAY INN & SUITES @ AMERISTAR
Holiday Inn & Suites @ Ameristar – 2202 River Road ~ Council Bluffs, IA 51501
Located just minutes from Downtown Omaha and Omaha’s Eppley Airfield. The hotel offers complimentary parking, hot breakfast, exercise room, indoor pool, business center and a complimentary hotel shuttle within 5 miles of the property.
MAKING HOTEL RESERVATIONS
Call hotel directly to make room reservations: 712-322-5050
“Bidwell Family Association Reunion” must be mentioned when making reservations.
Reservations can also be made online by using our group’s booking link.
To obtain the link, please email the reunion committee at tbidwellny@roadrunner.com to have the link sent to you via email.
| ROOM TYPE | THURSDAY ~ 7/27 | FRIDAY ~ 7/28 | SATURDAY ~ 7/29 | SUNDAY ~ 7/30 |
| King Bed | $105.00* | $105.00* | $105.00* | $105.00* |
| Two Double Beds | $115.00* | $115.00* | $115.00* | $115.00* |
*Breakfast IS included with the room rate.
5% local sales tax and 7% occupancy rate will be added to all room rates.
Total King room rate per night = 117.60
Total Double Bed room rate per night = 128.80
Above rates are effective from Thursday, July 27, 2023 – Sunday, July 30, 2023
Hotel Check-In – 3:00 pm Hotel Check-out – 11:00 am
Earn points for your stay with IHG® Rewards!
If you are not a member of IHG® Rewards, you may join by visiting the website www.ihg.com
It is not mandatory to join to make reservations for the reunion. The rewards program is free to join.
ROOM RESERVATIONS MUST BE MADE BY THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2023