CHADRON, Neb. – What began as a 1990s college house party is returning as a major community music festival with strong ties to Rapid City and the Black Hills region.

Slim Days is set for Sept. 19, 2026, taking over Second Street in downtown Chadron between The Bean Broker and Wild’s. Gates open at 5 p.m., with music kicking off at 6 p.m.

The revival of Slim Days trace its roots back to 1994, when founder Ed “Slim” Planansky and his friends created the event as a casual social gathering centered around live music. Over the next several years, the event grew into an all-day festival featuring a dozen bands and thousands of dollars raised for local charities before coming to an end in 1997.

After a nearly 30-year hiatus, the event was revived in 2024. The motivation to bring back the festival was personal for co-founder Aaron Funk, who sought to reconnect with friends and honor his late wife.

“Aaron called me up and just kind of said, ‘Hey, you know, here’s the thing. I’ve had a really bad two and a half years,’” Planansky said. “He goes, ‘I kind of wanted to start, if we were successful at it, I want to start an endowment memorial scholarship for Chadron State College.’”

That vision led to the creation of the Sarah Funk Memorial Scholarship, which honors Aaron’s late wife. Since restarting the festival, organizers have raised $20,000 for the endowment fund alongside nearly $5,000 for the general scholarship fund at Chadron State College.

The event’s return has drawn growing crowds, increasing from roughly 400 attendees in 2024 to about 700 people in 2025. Organizers expect a similar turnout for this year’s gathering.

The 2026 lineup features four main acts and guest performers, including Fort Collins punk group Really Rlyory, regional group Victory Underground, headliner Jessie G, and Wilson Ye, a former Chadron State football player who will play sets between performances.

The lineup also features local musical connections to Rapid City, including a performance by Rapid City act Dick Burns. In addition, Really Rlyory, Victory Underground, and Jessie G.  The Chadron State College band is also scheduled to make an appearance during the festivities.

90’s Scott Gooch of ‘Dick Burns’
90’s Ed ‘Slim’ Planansky

Now operating as a formal non-profit organization with a board of directors, Slim Days continues to expand its charitable reach. This year, the festival is partnering with Keep Chadron Beautiful, while also supporting local athletic programs alongside its ongoing scholarship commitments.

The street festival offers a night of live entertainment while raising money for higher education and community causes.