SUMMER 2014 - FUN THINGS FOR FAMILIES AND ADULTS!!
http://familyfuninomaha.com/calendar/
Farmers Markets
· Bellevue Farmers Market / Flea Market- Saturdays, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.May 31 – September 20; Washington Park on Franklin Street at West 20th Avenue, Bellevue
· Benson Farmers Market-Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.May 3 – September 27; Military Avenue at Maple Street
· Charles Drew Health Center Market- Wednesdays, 3 – 5 p.m.July 2 — July 30;2915 Grant Street
· Main Street Farmers Market Council Bluffs-Thursdays, 5 – 8 p.m.May 1 – September 25 (closedJuly 3);Historic 100 Block of West Broadway (between First and Second Streets), Council Bluffs
· Omaha Farmers Market in Aksarben Village– Sundays,9 a.m. – 1 p.m.May 4 – October 19; 67th and Center
· Omaha Farmers Market in the Old Market– Saturdays,8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.May 3 – October 18; 11th & Jackson Streets
· Village Pointe Farmers Market-Saturdays, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.May 3 – October 4;168th & Dodge
Festivals and Special Events
· Santa Lucia Festival- June 5 – 8 at Lewis and Clark Landing downtown. The 2014 Santa Lucia Festival includes entertainment for all ages. 2014 will carry an ALL Italian theme, and could be the best entertainment lineup in the great history of our celebrated festival! Frankie Valli & Four Seasons Tribute Band known as Lights Out, Willie Fratello, and Mike Gurciullo will headline this special 90th festival. Kathryn Bisanti and Mark Morello WILL again perform their brilliant Italian songs, as well as the Santa Lucia Festival Band & LaBanda
· Summer Arts Festival– June 6– 8 Downtown. The Festival is Omaha’s premier destination for arts and entertainment featuring 135 of the nation’s finest visual artists, a stage of continuous musical performances and a hands-on Children’s Fair.
o Artists’ Market Friday & Saturday: 11am–8pm, Sunday: 11am–5pm
o World Music Pavilion Stage Friday & Saturday: 11am–11pm, Sunday: 11am–5pm
o Children’s Fair Saturday: 11am–6pm, Sunday: 11am–5pm
· Sand in the City – June 7 – 8 CenturyLink Center Omaha | Lot B | 10th and Mike Fahey Street - To raise awareness and funds for Nebraska Children's Home Society, corporate and community group teams work with professional sand sculptors from across the country and local architects/engineers to build incredible sand sculptures followed by a weekend long festival. The Family Festival is open to the public to view finished sand sculptures and enjoy the festival like atmosphere all weekend long.
· YMCA Healthy Kids Day – June 14, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Aksarben Village The National Safety Council, Nebraska & YMCA of Greater Omaha Present: Healthy Kids Day! A day full of fun outdoor activities for the whole family including Bike Rodeo, free helmet giveaway & fitting as well as bike maintenance. Guest celebrities including Eric Crouch, Miss Teen Iowa, and Miss Teen South Dakota. Admission is FREE!
· College World Series– June 14 – 25 (Opening Celebration Day andCWS Fan Fest)
· Bank of the West Celebrates America– June 27 6:00 – 10:00 pm, Memorial Park, 60th & Dodge. Enjoy this annual celebration featuring Blues Traveler, Sugar Ray, Uncle Kracker, and Smash Mouth, with a Fireworks Grand Finale.
· Railroad Days– July 12-13, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Although not free, it is a wonderful deal with purchase of an All Aboard Pass for $15/family (max. 2 adults + $5 addl. adult) which includes admission and transportation to all locations – Durham Museum, Lauritzen Gardens, Union Pacific Railroad Museum, RailsWest Railroad Museum, and the Historic General Dodge House.)
· Playing with Fire June 26 | July 3 Blues, jazz, soul, funk, and a whole lot of fun for free as local, national and international artists perform Midtown Crossing at Turner Park, 31st and Dodge Sts.,Website: www.playingwithfireomaha.net
· Yoga in the Park - Midtown Crossing at Turner Park, 31st and Dodge Sts., May 25 - July 6, Sundays at 4 pm, Free and open to the public. Now in its fourth season, the gathering has blossomed into a full-blown wellness festival attracting hundreds each week complete with massage, integrative therapy exhibitions, vendor booths, organic food and drink vendors, and even more live music, along with National and local yoga teacher-lead classes for adults and children
· Jazz on the Green – Midtown Crossing at Turner Park, 31st and Dodge Sts., The free outdoor concert series will run six consecutive Thursdays, from July 10 to August 14, 2014.
o July 10: The 9s
o July 17: Great Lakes Horizon Navy Band (The evening begins with a special appearance by the United States Navy Parachute Team at 5:45 p.m. and ends with a fireworks spectacular.) *Park will not open for seating until 6 pm.
July 24: Conjunto Chappottin Y Sus Estrellas (Free salsa dance lessons will begin at 6:45 p.m.)
o July 31: Big Sam’s Funky Nation
o August 7: Sing, Sing, Swing Orchestra (Free swing dance lessons will begin at 6:45 p.m.)
o August 14: Dirty Dozen Brass Band
· End of Summer Concert Series - Midtown Crossing at Turner Park, 31st and Dodge Sts., The free outdoor concert series will run six consecutive Thursdays from August 21 - September 25 at 7:00 pm
o August 21: Billy McGuigan
o August 28: Josh Graci
o September 4: Opera Omaha
o September 11: Walker McGuire
o September 18: The 402
o September 25: The Sugar Thieves
· Shakespeare on the Green – Elmwood Park, just south of UNO. Performances start at 8:00 PM. Parking is available all over UNO's campus
o The Tempest – June 19-22, July 1, 3, 6
o The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) – June 26-29, July 2, 5
· Taste of Omaha - May 30 to June 1, 2014. Showcase of Omaha restaurants, entertainment, rides and fun. Prices for food, drinks and entertainment based on a ticket system. Heartland of America Park, Eighth and Farnam Streets, and Lewis & Clark Landing, 515 N. Riverfront Drive.
· Intertribal Powwow – Saturday, September 13th, 1-7:30 p.m., Metro Fort Omaha Campus. Celebrating Native American cultures, the powwow honors the traditional dance, music, artistry, oral history and foods of various tribes across Nebraska and the surrounding region including, but not limited to, Northern Ponca, Omaha, Santee Sioux and Winnebago.
· Greek Festival – Canfield Plaza, 85th & W. Center Rd., August 22 - 5:00 PM ~ 11:00 PM, August 23 - 11:00 AM ~ 11:00 PM, August 24 - Noon ~ 7:00 PM The Omaha Greek Festival highlights the Greek love of song and dance.
· Omaha Riverfront Jazz and Blues Festival – July Smooth jazz and blues sounds fill the air as national, regional and local artists perform. Located at the Orpheum Theater, 409 S 16th St Website: www.omahajazzandblues.com
· Hullabaloo Music & Camping Festival – August, a celebration featuring live music from regional and national bands and DJs. Located at the River West Park, 233rd & W Maple Rd For more information: http://www.hullabaloomusicfestival.com/
· MAHA Music Festival – August, Omaha's homegrown Indie Rock music festival. Located: Aksarben Village, 67th & Center Sts Website: http://www.mahamusicfestival.com
· Ralston Independence Day Celebration - July 3 and 4, 2014. Events include one of the state’s largest parades celebrating Independence Day. Plus, a picnic in the park, street dance and kids’ festival. Fireworks on July 4 around the Ralston Arena. Downtown Ralston
Fireworks
Omaha World-Herald Fireworks - July 3rd, TD Ameritrade Park, 1200 Mike Fahey St. TD Ameritrade College Home Run Derby at 7:30 p.m., followed by the annual Omaha World-Herald fireworks show. Information: www.collegehomerunderby.com
Ralston Independence Day Parade & Celebration - July 3 & 4th, Ralston, at 80th Street & Park Drive on July 3, 77th Main Streets on July 4th. Community celebration with picnic in the park on July 3, parade and fireworks at 9:30pm on July 4 outside the Ralston Arena. Information: www.ralstonareachamber.org
Boys Town- July 4th, On the Boys Town campus (Rain date: Saturday), Fireworks show at about 10 p.m.
South Omaha Neighborhood Alliance- When: July 5th, Field Club of Omaha, 3615 Woolworth Ave., Fireworks show at dusk. Fireworks will be set off on the golf course near the No. 10 hole.
Riverfest - July 18 & 19, American Heroes Park, 15th Street and Mission Avenue, Bellevue. Outdoor festival with a barbecue competition, fireworks, kid zone, Iron Chef competition, live music, hot air balloons and more. Information: www.bellevuenebraska.com and 402-898-3000
Kids Programs
There are many wonderful free or inexpensive programs just for kids in the Omaha area! Visit theOmaha Kids Calendarfor details on upcoming events!
· Barnes and Noble Preschool Storytimes-Enjoy preschool storytime at Barnes and Noble stores nationwide. Times and dates may vary. Please verify withyour local storebefore visiting. InOmaha, storytime is every Tuesday and Thursdayat 11am at theOakview store, and every Friday at 9:30am at theCrossroads Store.
· Home Depot offers Free Kid’s Workshopson the first Saturday of each month, from 9am-12pm. They are designed for children ages 5-12. Workshops teach children do-it-yourself skills and tool safety. All participants will receive a Kids Workshop Apron, commemorative pin and certificate of achievement.
· Joslyn Art Museumis a beautiful building with amazing permanent and travelling exhibits. They have programs especially for kids, and special events throughout the year. Enjoy FREE general admission everyday! Additional charge for some special exhibitions. When you’re at the Museum, visit the Scott EdTech Gallery to pick-up a printed gallery guide, check-out an Art Pack for family fun in the galleries, or stop by the Kids Can, a self-guided activity center located on the Strauss Bridge. EnjoyStory Adventures, special storytimes connecting books and art, andSaturday Surprise,a self-guided art projectevery other Saturday from 10 a.m. – noon.
· Kids Bowl Freeis a nationwide program that provides FREE hours of entertainment all summer long for your kids! Register your children and they will receive two free games every day all summer! Parents can purchase a family pass, if they wish, so they can bowl with their kids. What a great way to be active and have fun with your kids all summer and build memories together!
· Kids Skate Freeprovides kids with opportunities for FREE skating at specific locations throughout the US. Each location has their own age and time specifications. In Omaha,SkateDazeis a participating location.
· Free crafts at Lakeshore Learning Storesevery Saturday from 11am – 3pm.
· Preschool Playtime at the La Vista Community Center held Tuesdays & Thursdays, from 10 – 11 a.m. at the the La Vista Community Center. It is always a good idea to verify before visiting, as certain dates might be closed due to holidays or other special events.
· Lowe’s Free Build and Grow Clinicsare heldon select Saturdays at 10am. Bring the kids to any Lowe’s store to build fun projects. This is recommended for children in grades 1st-5th. Register early because they tend to fill up quickly!
· Michaels Free Family Craft Time and Kids Club-Let your kids explore their creativity while you shop! Only $2 per child reserves 30 minutes for your creative kid. Sessions starting every half hour from 10AM – 11:30AM. See a store associate to join the fun! Free Family Craft Times are also offered regularly.
· Omaha Community Centersoffer many classes for people of all ages. You can learn a new craft, take swim lessons, get some exercise, play in a sports league, or participate in the many special events they host throughout the year or special camps while the kids are off of school. You can also enjoy open gym time with your little ones for as little as $1/adult!
· Pottery Barn KidsStorytimesare held every Tuesday from 11-11:30am. Special events are also held throughout year. Time and Date may vary by store. Please callyour local storeto confirm.
Summer Reading Programs
There are manyPublic Librariesin Omaha and the surrounding communities which host wonderful storytimes,fun programs for children and teens, classes for adults, and special events throughout the year!
· Omaha Public Libraries-Check out their event calendar under Events and Programs: Calendar, for all of the latest details.
· Bellevue Public Library
· Gretna Public Library– Kids Korner, Teen Zone, and Adult Services
· LaVista Public Library
· Sump Memorial Libraryin Papillion
· Baright Public Libraryin Ralston
· Rec’s Kids Clubis a year-round youth program for kids 6-12 that encourages active healthy lifestyles through crafts, games and sports, swimming, drama, special events and field trips. It is held every day after school, with extended hours when school is out.
· Shadow Lake Towne Center offers Tots on the Towne, a FREE hour of fun for children from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. A different activity is featured in a different store / restaurant each month. Some require RSVP.
· Westroads Kids Club,for children ages 2-12, will be held on the first Wednesday of every month, from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m., in the Upper Level near the Children’s Play Area. Membership is FREE and all children receive a special gift during their birthday month while supplies last.
Kids Skate Free
· A nationwide program that offers free skating all summer long. In Omaha, this includesSkateDaze! Passes valid for children 12 years old and younger. Register to begin receiving your skating passes!
Kids Bowl Free
· Register your children and they will receive two free games every day all summer! (Shoe rental may be required.) Parents can purchase a family pass, if they wish, so they can bowl with their kids. Select yourfavorite Bowling Center in Nebraskaorin other statesto sign up!
Movies
Find many free or cheap movies in theaters and in parks all summer! These movies usually fill up quickly so arrive early to get a seat! It is always a good idea to verify with the business before visiting.
Movie Nights at Camp Fontanelle–Saturdays, May 23 – August 29 (every 2 weeks), Free Will Donation
· Bring a lawn chair and/or blanket, bug spray, and campfire fare and enjoy an outdoor movie.
· NEW! Zip lines will be open for 2 hours prior to the start time of each movie. Minors must have waiver filled out by adult guardian. Cost: $10/person for two 350 ft. rides.
· No movies will be shown if the weather is rainy. Due to copyright issues, titles may not be shared publicly, but can be received by .