page_title: Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben
section_title: Initiatives
hierarchical_section_title: Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben / Initiatives
context_page_description: The Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben Foundation is a 501 civic and philanthropic organization in Omaha, Nebraska.
context_section_description: Among other initiatives the group has pursued was the purchase of the Douglas Street Bridge (the first road bridge across the Missouri River) in hopes of taking its tolls off (the bridge was renamed the Ak-Sar-Ben Bridge).  From the 1920s through the 1990s, the Knights built and operated a horse racing track and arena complex, also named Ak-Sar-Ben. In 1992 the Knights donated the horse racing track and arena complex to a new legal entity – the Ak-Sar-Ben Future Trust. This organization is developing the property for multi-purpose under the name Aksarben Village,.
  The Knights of AKSARBEN Foundation continues its efforts to serve the 112-year-old mission of "building a more prosperous heartland where communities can flourish and every child can succeed." The organization supports financial need based scholarship programs, administers Nebraska's Pioneer Farm program, Good Neighbor Awards, and Ike Friedman Leadership Awards. It produces the AKSARBEN Stockshow & Rodeo and the Ak-Sar-Ben Coronation Ball.
  The AKSARBEN Stockshow & Rodeo, was established in 1927 and has a mission of empowering youth to reach their full potential as productive adults through learning opportunities which develop live skills and character.
  AKSARBEN Rodeo is an annual festival of the region's heritage. Its three core events include the Douglas County Fair, The Ak-Sar-Ben 4-H Livestock Exposition, and the Ak-Sar-Ben Rodeo, host of the Wrangler ProRodeo Tour – Omaha Round.
  AKSARBEN's Coronation Ball is a celebration of volunteerism and civic pride. It is a fund-raising event that supports need-based scholarship programs and recognizes the volunteer efforts of individuals throughout the region through the honoring of families.
  In 2005, the Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights of the American Hockey League were named after the Knights, which had a minority ownership stake in the team, but after two seasons of mediocre attendance the franchise was relocated in 2007 to the Quad Cities; it is currently located in Stockton, California.
caption: Ak-sar-ben Toll Bridge between Iowa and Nebraska in November 1938
exif: {}