September 2019 Explore Calendar
Aug 23, 2019 02:54PM ● By Jane Glazer
For Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri
Event times and details may change. Check with venue or event organizer to confirm.Nebraska
Plattsmouth Harvest Festival Sept. 5-8 at various locations, Plattsmouth. This four-day annual festival—that was once a corn festival in the 1930s—presents tractor rides, carnival rides, parades, a corn hole competition, and music. 402.516.4914. —plattsmouthharvestfestival.com
20th Annual Polishfest Sept. 8 at Polish Heritage Center Museum and St. Francis Community Hall, Ashton. This event will feature the music of Barry Boyce band, educational workshops on the Polish language, and speaker Beth Gross. Traditional Polish food and music will also be available. 308.738.2260. — polishheritagecenter.com
Annual Steele City Flea Market and Antique Farm Machinery Show Sept. 14-15 in Steele City. With food and live music, and spaces for vendors selling everything from crafts to antiques, this event attracts many. 402.729.5131. — visitnebraska.com
Richardson County Free Fair Sept. 12-14 at Richardson County Ag Society, Humboldt. Starting off each morning with a parade, the entertainment continues all three days with activities such as carnival rides and concessions. There are also competitive events including beef, horses, photography, textiles, and creative writing. 402.245.4324. —nebraskafairs.org
Harvest Fair Sept. 14-15 at Stuhr Museum, Grand Island. This popular fall event celebrates harvest time with live music, pumpkin activities, and harvest cookery. 308.385.5316. —stuhrmuseum.org
Lincoln Calling Sept. 18-22 in downtown Lincoln. Featuring headliners Lee Fields & The Expressions, and Soccer Mommy, this annual nonprofit music festival aims to celebrate creativity. The festival prides itself on equal representation between male and female performers, as well as representing the LGBTQ community and performers of color. Email [email protected] — lincolncalling.com
Legacy of the Plains Harvest Festival Sept. 21-22 at Legacy of the Plains Museum, Gering. For the 23rd year, the annual Harvest Festival attracts thousands of visitors for food vendors and activities such as a corn maze, livestock viewing, and more. 308.436.1989. —legacyoftheplains.org
Ogallala Indian Summer Rendezvous Sept. 19-21 at Rendezvous Square, Ogallala. Going on their 34th year, downtown Ogallala offers a celebration of their past with bands, entertainment, dancing, and local talent. 308.289.5674. —ogallalaindiansummerrendezvous.com
AppleJack Festival Sept. 20-22 various locations, Nebraska City. To kick off the apple harvest, this historic festival—with a turnout of 60,000 to 80,000 people—consists of apple pie, apple cider, caramel apples, and all other things apple. The weekend has over six craft fairs, a car show, live music, and has been named a USA Today Top 10 Fall Harvest Festival. 402.873.6654. — gonebraskacity.com
Harvest Festival Sept. 20-22 in Gothenburg. The three-day event is the town’s 105th annual festival, full of arts and crafts as well as a large parade. 308.537.3505. —gothenburgdelivers.com
Norfolk Oktoberfest Sept. 20-21 in downtown Norfolk. During this two-day festival, Northeast Nebraska celebrates the area’s German heritage and fall harvest with a beer garden, live music, German food, and family entertainment. Attendees can also count on a Husker tailgate, teen dance, and free rides home anywhere in Norfolk from 12:30-2 a.m. 402.371.4862. —norfolkareachamber.com
Lincoln Arts Festival Weekend Sept. 21-22 in downtown Lincoln. Moving to downtown Lincoln for its 19th year, this festival will feature artists from across the country. The event offers activities such as the Creative Zone, as well as live music from Lincoln’s largest music festival, Lincoln Calling. 402.434.2787. —artscene.org
Grown Ups’ Getaway at the Pumpkin Patch Sept. 21 at Bloom Where You’re Planted Farm, Avoca. Kick off the pumpkin patch season by visiting the farm after dark to sip on beer and wine, and play games while listening to live music. 402.267.4104. —bloompumpkinpatch.com
Fall Fest Sept. 27 at Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center, Denton. This family event celebrates the tallgrass prairie with hayrack rides, live music, and plenty of nature-oriented activities. This year’s event, “A Prairie Plant Party!” will focus on the benefits of native plants for birds and wildlife, and guests can participate in a native plant giveaway. 402.797.2301. —springcreek.audubon.org
Autumn on the Bricks Sept. 28 at Box Butte Avenue, Alliance. Plenty of games and different activities—such as face painting and cornhole—line the street at this fun-filled family event. 308.762.1800. —visitnebraska.com
Wakefield Balloons `N’ BBQ Sept. 27-29 in Wakefield. For the 16th year, Wakefield will host hot air pilots, a Legion steak feed, and the BBQ Bash. The event will also offer a color run, omelet feed, craft and food vendors, a classic rock and country band, and more. 402.287.2080. —visitdixoncounty.org
Pumpkin Patch and Vintage Marketplace Sept. 28-Oct. 27, Bloom Where You’re Planted Farm, Avoca. The pumpkin patch season calls for a visit to the Avoca farm. Locally grown pumpkins of all shapes and colors are for sale, and guests can find activities such as hay rides on the farm. 402.267.4104. —bloompumpkinpatch.com
IowaDes Moines Renaissance Faire Aug. 31, Sept. 2, 7, 8, 14, 15 at The Pines, Des Moines. Having taken a hiatus from 2016-2018, the faire is ready to entertain in 2019 with singing, dancing, and feasting. 515.965.5338. —dsmrf.com
ARTapalooza Sept. 7 at Cedar Falls Community Main Street, Cedar Falls. Children and adults can participate in hands-on art activities, and view work from over 40 participating artists. 319.277.0213. —communitymainstreet.org
Beaverdale Fall Festival Sept. 19-21 in Beaver Falls, Des Moines. Originating over 20 years ago, the first annual fall tradition began with sidewalk sales, carnival rides, music, beer tents, and a parade. The festival now includes several activities such as an arts and crafts market, talent show, and horse rides. —fallfestival.org
42nd Annual Hot Air Balloon Days Sept. 20-22 at Creston Municipal Airport, Creston. Almost 40 hot air balloons will participate in races while guests stroll around the arts and crafts fair, flea market, and food booths. 641.782.7021. —unioncountyiowatourism.com
World Food & Music Festival Sept. 20-22 in downtown Des Moines. Named “Best Food and Beverage Program” by the International Festivals and Events Association, this weekend offers international food, live music, dancing, cooking, wine and craft beers, and an exciting atmosphere. 515.286.4915. —dsmpartnership.com
Walnut Antique Fall Festival Sept. 21-22 in downtown Walnut. Rain or shine, “Iowa’s Antique City” will be hosting one of their newest annual events. Free admission will allow shoppers and dealers to enjoy a weekend of antiquing in Iowa. 712.784.3992. —walnutiowa.org
Des Moines Oktoberfest Sept. 27-28 in downtown Des Moines. This weekend has much to offer, including a Craft Beer Village, Lederhosen Lane, and a Silent Disco Party. Prizes will be awarded to attendees dressed in authentic German attire. 515.371.4742. —oktoberfestdsm.com
Latino Heritage Festival Sept. 28-29 at Western Gateway Park, Des Moines. This family-oriented event educates attendees through arts, food, children’s activities, and cultural exhibits from Central and South American countries. The festival aims to teach a better understanding of Latino culture, and emphasize an appreciation for diversity. 515.279.0715. — latinoheritagefestival.org
Kansas
Dancefestopia Sept. 5-8 at Emerald City, La Cygne. These four days pair a wild dance party with outdoor activities. This year features performers Freddy Todd, Blanke, Paz, and many more. 877.987.6487 —dancefestopia.com
Kansas State Fair Sept. 6-15 at Kansas State Fairgrounds, Hutchinson. This 10-day long fair promotes Kansas culture with several attractions including animals, music, and shopping. 620.669.3600. —kansasstatefair.com
Spinach Festival Sept. 7 at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park, Lenexa. This family-oriented event celebrates the Spinach Capital of the World. Food, music, entertainment, art vendors, and the World’s Largest Spinach Salad can all be found at this event. 913.477.7131. —lenexa.com
2019 Latino Arts Festival Sept, 7 at KS Avenue of Murals, Kansas City. This event provides an opportunity for local Latino artists to showcase their work to the community. The artists will display pieces that influence, inform, and celebrate Latino culture. 913.940.4136. —latinoartsfoundationkc.com
Walnut Valley Festival Sept. 18-22 at Winfield Fairgrounds, Winfield. For five days, more than 3,000 contestants from all 50 states—as well as several foreign countries—gather in Winfield. Hired artists appear on stage and within the campground, while most attendees bring an instrument to play. 620.221.3250. —wvfest.com
Camp Leavenworth Sept. 21 at Leavenworth Landing Park, Leavenworth. Craft vendors, live entertainment, a fireworks display, and more can be found at this new festival for the City of Leavenworth. 913.758.6752. —visitleavenworthks.com
Ciderfest Sept. 28-29 and Oct. 5-6 at the Louisburg Cider Mill, Louisburg. Activities such as pony rides and donut-making can be found at this annual fall festival. Visitors can also count on live music and a ten-acre corn maze. 913.837.5202. —louisburgcidermill.com
Missouri
Irish Fest Aug. 30-Sept. 1 at Crown Center Ice Terrance, Kansas City. This three-day event has been named one of the top Irish Festivals in the nation, and is home to over 30 bands, shops, food, and music. 816-875-4112. —kcirishfest.com
SantaCaliGon Days Festival Aug. 30-Sept. 2 at Independence Square, Independence. Celebrated annually, this festival honors the City of Independence as the starting point of the Santa Fe, California, and Oregon trails during America’s westward expansion. Expect to see live entertainment, vendors, and a carnival. 816.875.4112. —santacaligon.com
Grape and Fall Festival Sept. 3-7 at Nelson Hart Park, St. James. Carnival rides, live music, a grape stomp, demolition derbies, and more are found at this event. 573.265.6649. —visitmo.com
Midwest Tea Festival Sept. 7-8 at Ararat Drive, Kansas City. Tea merchants, tea vendors, and tea lovers travel across the Midwest, and the country, for a day dedicated to tea. The event includes information about tea preparation and culture, and lots of tea tastings. 816.387.7757. —midwestteafest.com
Laurie Hillbilly Fair Sept. 13-14 at 269 Fairgrounds Drive, Laurie. Crafts, food, music, and carnival rides make for an enjoyable weekend in Laurie. 573.374.8776 —cityoflaurie.com
7th Annual Independence Uncorked Wine Festival Sept. 14 at Bingham-Waggoner Estate, Independence. This event is an afternoon of tasting wines from 25 Missouri wineries and spirits from a local distillery. 1-6 p.m. Email [email protected] for more information. —independenceuncorked.com
State of the Ozark Festival Sept. 14 at Historic Downing Street, Hollister. A variety of activities are offered at this festival, including dancing, shopping, yoga sessions, street actors, and crafts. 417.335.1371. —explorebranson.com
Annual Autumn Daze Arts, Crafts, and Music Festival Sept. 19-21 in downtown Branson. This free event features live music, homemade crafts, and a sidewalk sale. 417.334.1548. —explorebranson.com
Harvest Hootenanny Sept. 20-21 at Mark Twain Cave, Hannibal. Featuring many activities for kids and adults, the two-day event celebrates the town’s history and scenery. Arts and crafts, pumpkin painting, and tree climbing are just some of the all-age activities offered. 573.221.2477. —visithannibal.com
Fall Festival of Arts and Crafts Sept. 27-29 at Main Street, Washington. The historic town attracts many artists to sell their unique products. Live music and a food court also come with the event. 636.239.1743. —visitmo.com
Bluegrass Battles Hunger Sept. 27-28 at Coleman Hawkins Park, St. Joseph. Proceeds from this concert go toward supporting hunger relief efforts through Second Harvest Community Food Bank. Guests can look forward to food-truck cuisine and vendor wares. Email [email protected] for more information. —bluegrassbattleshunger.com
Lee’s Summit Oktoberfest Sept. 27-29 in downtown Lee’s Summit. This free festival will have all things Oktoberfest—live entertainment and activities included. Taste homebrews and chow down on brats, or take a trip to the “Rootbiergarten.” 816.524.2424. —lsoktoberfest.com
Overland Park Fall Festival Sept. 28 at Santa Fe Commons Park, Overland Park. This community-oriented celebration features high school bands, local businesses, dance troupes, and a parade through downtown Overland Park. 913.344.8656. —opkansas.org
This calendar was printed in the September 2019 edition of Omaha Magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.
