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BluePrint Engines Recognized with Economic Development Award

BluePrint Engines Recognized with Economic Development Award

BluePrint Engines is honored to be one of the winners of the 2018 Third District Excellence in Economic Development Awards, recognized by Congressman Adrian Smith.

BluePrint Engines was founded by Norris Marshall in the early 1980s and recently moved into a 150,000-square-foot production and testing facility in east Kearney.

BluePrint Engines employs more than 100 people in the Kearney area. Congressman Smith said Marshall, “has turned his passion for rebuilding high-performance car engines into one of the largest crate engine manufacturers in the world, serving customers ranging in size from individual car collectors to NASCAR.”

Our founder recently embarked on a new journey, training the next generation of engineers and craftsmen who will carry on his passion for the next several decades through his award-winning collaboration with Kearney Public Schools.

The Third District Excellence in Economic Development Awards honors eleven individuals and businesses who are helping to strengthen Nebraska communities through innovation, hard work, entrepreneurship, and historic preservation.

Along with BluePrint Engines, Ravenna’s Urwiller Melon Patch, Cozad’s Larry Paulsen, and Oxford’s Grow Nebraska were also awarded the prestigious honor.

Congressman Smith said the recipients have “done so much to expand opportunity in Nebraska.”

Others that Congressman Smith recognized are:

  • The Anson Family
  • Butler Professional Farrier School of Crawford
  • Central Nebraska Regional Airport of Grand Island
  • Main Street Beatrice
  • The Hub of Burwell
  • Lukjan Metal of Sidney
  • LiteForm of South Sioux City

We are so proud of our company, employees, and leadership for winning this award!

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Join Us for the 27th Annual Kearney Cruise Night

Join Us for the 27th Annual Kearney Cruise Night

Well, it's that time of year again when BluePrint Engines' hometown of Kearney Nebraska open the asphalt to hot rodders from all over the USA. Ever since the first cruise night 27 years ago, this event keeps getting bigger and bigger, while adding more days and events to the weekend calendar.

Every year in July, the CNAC (Central Nebraska Auto Club) encourages anyone who wants to relive the memories of the “Good Ole Days” along with the love of the classic cars to come and enjoy in the fun. The event “Cruise Nite” is a four-day event.  Customarily, events are held the third weekend in July (Wednesday thru Sunday.)  

Cruise Nite begins Wednesday evening with a Classic Car Tour of area Assisted Living & Nursing Homes.  Started in 2011, this was a HUGE hit and added to the annual festivities.  This Kickoff event is a “Come as you are” and share your love of classic automobiles with our friends and loved ones.

The annual events kick-off “Picnic Style” on Wednesday evening in Old Town Kearney.  This year's events are hosted again by Kearney’s Knights of Columbus at the KOC Hall, 1900 Central Avenue.  The picnic is scheduled for 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Following the picnic car collectors are invited to participate in the Classic Car Tour to area Assisted Living and Nursing Homes. Participants should stage their cars in the large parking lot south of Kearney High School.  Cars will follow a scheduled parade route visiting Kearney’s senior residents. The tour will conclude at the Petersen Sr. Center at Yanney Park. This has become one of the most exciting and enjoyable events.

Thursday evening begins with a get-together Show & Shine sponsored by Midway Auto Outlet. Oldies Music, Food & drink will be available. Bill Haley, Jr. & The Comets will perform live at The MerrymanPerforming Arts Center, 225 W. 22nd to complete the evening. Tickets are available by calling (308) 698-8052.

The “Get Together Show & Shine” at the Great Platte River Road Archway with oldies music and food and fun start the festivities, 5:30-7:30 p.m. The classic & collectible car auction is held with Rusty Rhynalds, auctioneer at the Buffalo County Fairgrounds, (308) 832-7407, 7:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.

The fun continues on Saturday morning with the registration of hundreds of classic vehicles that are parked on “The Bricks” in downtown Kearney for all to get up close with.

A “LIVE” concert featuring “Carstock,” local cover bands, and groups perform all types of classic music all day beginning at noon at the MONA -Museum of Nebraska Art, and featuring “Bases Loaded” at 8 p.m.  New for 2016 is the BMX Triple Point Gold Cup Qualifier Race @ Tri-City BMX Track. 

Contact Josh Osterhoudt (308)-870-5179. Races begin at 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. “Street Grudge Racing” and NAPA “Quick Race” featuring the Rocky Mountain Superchargers begins at 4 p.m. at Kearney Raceway Park. Contact Al Simmons (308) 750-2049 for more information.  

Everyone in the surrounding area marks their calendar for this special Saturday to come and see the Show & Shine. Later, when it cools off, a Cruise Nite parade on “The Bricks” is featured. The streets are filled with classic cars and countless spectators taking in the parade.  Don’t forget the burnout competition at Graham Tire on north 2nd avenue beginning at 7 p.m., 5708 2nd Ave.

The Cruise Nite weekend winds down on Sunday with the Hot Rod Reunion/Drag Races at the Kearney Raceway Park.

Behind the entire event is a philanthropic desire is to raise money for numerous charities in the Kearney Area. Among the charities that have benefited from Cruise Nite are Buffalo County Red Cross, Salvation Army, United Way, Flight for Hero’s, Make A Wish Foundation, Goodfellows, Jubilee Center, City of Kearney Police Department and scholarship for students in Automotive Tech.

For more information on the event, please visit the official Cruise Night website.

Here are some photos from past Cruise Night events:

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24th Annual Tour Nebraska, 600+ Miles Across the Plains!

24th Annual Tour Nebraska, 600+ Miles Across the Plains!

Several BluePrint Engines employees hit the road with nearly 400 other classic cars and trucks for the 24thAnnual NRCA Tour Nebraska.

The car club NRCA, Nebraska Rod & Custom Association, gathered 398 of their members to take to the back roads for a weekend of driving their old cars and exploring our great state of Nebraska.

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