Clay County may be small, but this holiday season, it will be one of the destinations drawing travelers from across Nebraska.
Aunt Annie’s Flower Farm & Mercantile, located near Glenvil, has been selected as one of just 24 stops on the 2026 Nebraska Holiday Passport. The statewide tourism program encourages people to explore Nebraska’s communities, discover locally owned businesses and enjoy a little holiday adventure along the way.
For a rural community like Glenvil, being included alongside destinations in Lincoln, Omaha, North Platte and other Nebraska cities is an opportunity to introduce visitors to a part of the state they might otherwise never experience.
And for Clay County, it means having a place on the holiday travel map.
Visit Nebraska announced the fifth annual Holiday Passport on Oct. 5. The program will run from Nov. er 13 through Jan. 10, giving travelers nearly two months to visit participating destinations, collect stamps and earn prizes.
Behind Aunt Annie’s is owner Andrea Curlo, who grew up on a farm near Pauline and established her flower farm in 2020. In 2024, she and her husband transformed an old barn into a mercantile and gift shop, creating a rural shopping destination where visitors can experience something different from the traditional retail setting.
The business offers more than a reason to shop. Its location brings visitors into the Clay County countryside, business can also become an introduction to the surrounding community.
Curlo is no stranger to encouraging people to explore Nebraska’s smaller destinations. Earlier this year, she launched the Nebraska Bloom Trail Passport, a program featuring 32 flower farms, greenhouses and floral shops throughout the state. The initiative encouraged travelers to discover agricultural businesses and the people behind them.
Now, Aunt Annie’s will be on the receiving end of that same kind of statewide attention.
In an Oct. 5 Facebook announcement, the business shared its excitement about being selected.
“We can’t wait to welcome passport travelers to the farm and share a little Christmas magic with you!” the post stated.
Visitors are invited to explore the mercantile, browse unique gifts and enjoy the cozy holiday atmosphere. Aunt Annie’s is located at 13360 S. Showboat Blvd., Glenvil (Pauline).
The selection is also a reminder that Nebraska’s tourism attractions aren’t limited to major cities, museums or well-known landmarks. Sometimes the destination is a small business along a country road, where the appeal comes from the setting, the merchandise and the people who have worked to create something special.
For communities like Glenvil, attracting visitors from outside the area can provide valuable exposure. Someone who makes the trip to collect a Passport stamp may discover a business they didn’t know existed, return for another visit or recommend the destination to friends and family.
That is part of the idea behind Nebraska’s Passport programs.
The original Nebraska Passport features 70 destinations each year from May 1 through Sept. 30. The Holiday Passport, introduced in 2022, offers a smaller seasonal version, featuring shops, restaurants, parks and attractions throughout the state. “We are so excited heading into the fifth year of the Nebraska Holiday Passport,” said program coordinator Lilly Uhlmann. “We are looking forward to getting Nebraskans and visitors alike out and exploring new parts of the state during the holiday season and seeing what Nebraska has to offer!”
This year’s 24 stops are divided into eight regions, with three destinations in each region. Participants who visit all three stops within a region will receive a regional postcard and a lottery coupon. Those who complete all 24 stops will receive a commemorative holiday mug and earn the distinction of Holiday Passport Champion.
Many of the participating locations will also feature seasonal decorations, special offers and holiday-themed activities.
The complete list of 2026 Nebraska Holiday Passport destinations includes:
• Arnold: BrewBakers Coffee House & Gifts
• Ashland: The Holiday Market and Eugene T. Mahoney State Park
• Belgrade: The Homestead
• Chadron: Chadron State Park
• Elkhorn: Cedar Creek Coffee & Art
• Gering: Scotts Bluff National Monument
• Gibbon: Brewed Bee
• Glenvil: Aunt Annie’s Flower Farm & Mercantile
• Grand Island: The Tattered Book
• Lincoln: Lincoln Children’s Zoo, The Kindler Hotel and Boitano’s Lounge and Lulubee Artisanal Chocolates
• Loup City: Elegant Hart’s Bakery
• McCook: Lucy’s Bakery and Cafe
• Nebraska City: Apple House Market at Arbor Day Farm
• Norfolk: Lot 279 Craft Meats
• North Platte: Golden Spike Tower & Visitors Center and Canteen Candies
• Omaha: Marigold’s Mercantile and 1890 - Perfumery + Apothecary
• Sidney: Asters Foods & Smokehouse
• Valentine: The Draw Bar
• Wayne: Bloom & Grace For Clay County residents, the Holiday Passport offers an opportunity to explore Nebraska while supporting businesses throughout the state. But it also provides a reason to appreciate what is already available close to home.
Small rural businesses often depend on people willing to venture beyond the familiar, take a country road instead of the highway and discover what someone has created in a place that might not appear on a typical tourist itinerary.
This holiday season, travelers from across Nebraska will have a reason to do exactly that in Clay County.
And whether they arrive from across the state or just down the road, Aunt Annie’s will be ready to welcome them.
Additional information about the Nebraska Holiday Passport, including how to request a booklet, is available at VisitNebraska.com.
