Seward’s 2018 tourist family for the Fourth of July was, from left, Richard Hansen, Jo Sullivan, Frank Sullivan, Cara Jo Bohmker, 5, Evan Bohmker, 2, Megan Bohmker and Tim Bohmker. This year’s family is related to Doug Brand of Seward.
Every year since 1967, Seward has welcomed a tourist family to the community on July 4. During the holiday, the family can escape their routine lives and become royalty.
They ride in the parade and are given a taste of Nebraska hospitality.
Originally, families were “captured” on the interstate with the help of the state patrol. However, this approach has changed throughout the years.Today, families are found at local campgrounds or through families or friends in Seward.
This year, the Seward Visitor’s Committee and the Seward Fourth of July Committee welcomed a family from Oregon.
The tourists included Tim and Megan Bohmker with children Cara Jo, 5, and Evan, 2, of Junction City, Oregon. Grandparents Frank and Jo Sullivan and great-grandfather Richard Hansen of Eugene, Oregon, were also present. They were also joined by Ryan Sullivan and Rachael Garett with children Kelcie Alter, 10, and Keely Alter, 9, of Junction City, Oregon.
The tourists captured this year were visiting family in Seward. Megan Bohmker and Ryan Sullivan are Doug Brand’s cousin’s children.
The family has visited Seward many times, but never during Seward’s Fourth of July festivities. They visit Nebraska frequently during football season when the Oregon Ducks play the Cornhuskers.
“Nebraskans are always so nice,” Frank Sullivan said. “Nebraska nice.”
The family was surprised but thrilled to be the 2018 Tourist Family, especially the grandkids.
“The 5-year-old was very surprised to be stopped by policemen,” Frank Sullivan said. “They’re excited about being royalty.”
