NEBRASKA
Polish Days June 4-6 in Loup City. This is a three-day celebration of all things Polish. There is a parade, street dance with live music, color run, a beer garden, and more. 308-745-0430. —facebook.com/polishdays
2021 Niobrara River Fest June 4-5 at the Berry Bridge Resort in Valentine. This festival focuses on water activities like canoe and kayaking races, and including music and food. 402-376-3474.
—niobraracamping.com
Comstock Windmill Festival June 10-12 in Comstock. Nestled in a canyon near the community of Comstock, Nebraska (population 96) is the Home of 2nd Wind Ranch. Every year that canyon comes to life with the Windmill Festival and top national country acts. 308-628-4107. —windmillfestival.com
Ned LeDoux June 12 at Royal Grove in Lincoln. LeDoux is an American country music singer and songwriter. He is the son of singer-songwriter Chris LeDoux, and has released two studio albums. info@theroyalgrove.com —theroyalgrove.com
10th Annual Veterans Freedom Music Festival June 13 at the Railyard in the Haymarket in Lincoln. This festival was originally the brain child of Terry Gillispie. In 2011, Terry asked Dave Rusk, a local radio executive if he would play some music for the veterans at the Lincoln VA hospital.The annual music festival features local bands and celebrates veterans. 402-770-6013. —vfmf.net
Nebraskaland Days June 16-26 at Wild West Arena in North Platte. This festival celebrates Nebraska’s western heritage. The PRCA Buffalo Bill Rodeo features fan favorites such as bull riding and steer roping. The event also includes parades, an antique car show, quilt show, and tennis tournaments. Luke Combs and Toby Keith are the music headliners this year. 308-532-7939. —nebraskalanddays.com
Diller Picnic 2021 June 17-19 in Diller. The annual picnic is back for another year. Guests enjoy a day of family fun, food, and carnival rides. 402-793-5865. —dillerpicnic.net
Annevar June 17-20 in Ravenna. This festival, which is Ravenna spelled backwards, is a community celebration that includes a midway, demo derby, two-day tractor pull, parade, sand volleyball, car show, fun run/walk, and a three-man scramble golf tournament. 308-452-3133. —myravenna.com/annevar
Testicle Festival June 18-19 at Round the Bend Steakhouse in Ashland. This festival really has some…well, nevermind. Attendees can participate in a ball-eating contest and listen to live music. The event includes a fireworks display and more traditional fair food (nachos, corn dogs, etc.) for those who prefer not to eat bull fries. 402-944-9974. —roundthebendsteakhouse.com/festival
2019 Swedish Festival June 18-20 in Stromsburg. The “Swede Capital of Nebraska” celebrates heritage and tradition during three days of Swedish festivities. Attractions include sports tournaments, traditional Swedish dances performed by children, a parade, and a car show. The chicken and pork chop BBQ on Friday night is a Stromsburg tradition. 402-764-5265. —theswedishfestival.com
Father’s Day Car Show June 19-20 at Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum in Ashland. Classic and vintage cars will be on display for the enjoyment and viewing of the public. Awards will be handed out Saturday. 402-944-3100.
—sacmuseum.org
Chicago June 23 at Pinewood Bowl Theater in Lincoln. Chicago is the first American rock band to chart Top 40 albums in six consecutive decades. recently inducted into the 2016 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This was their first nomination. 402-904-4444.
—pinewoodbowltheater.com
Annual Homestead Days 2021 June 23-27 at Homestead National Monument near Beatrice Visitors can see how people lived in the late 1800s through stage performances, demonstrations of traditional crafts and farm machinery, a re-enactment of a Civil War encampment, children’s festival, a car show, and more.
402-223-3514. —nps.gov/home
2021 Flatwater Music Festival June 25-26 at Prairie Loft Center in Hastings. The festival will feature live music, jamming, family activities, workshops, art vendors, beer garden, food trucks, and much more. 402-463-0565. —prairieloft.org
Scotts Bluff Celtic Festival June 26 at Five Rocks Amphitheater in Gering. This year, Scotts Bluff Co, Nebraska will host their Fourth Celtic Gathering that will concentrate on family activities, heritage, history and music. 308-633-1808. —stayhappening.com/e/scottsbluff-celtic-festival
Ribfest June 26-27 in Duncan. Rib lovers will enjoy this festival, which focuses on tasty barbecued ribs. A variety of award-winning barbecue vendors will be on hand to provide this summer staple, along with live music. 402-897-5285. —villageofduncan.com
2021 Flatland Juggling Festival June 30 at Abbot Sport Complex in Lincoln. This free event includes high-ceiling gym juggling, a Friday supper, and juggling workshops. For more information email jimbre1@aol.com. —underthecouch.com/flatland
IOWA
SUX PRIDE June 5 at Doxx Warehouse Bar in Sioux City. SUX Pride celebrates diversity in Sioux City, featuring an equality march, drag shows, and more. This year marks the five-year anniversary of Siouxland’s Pride celebration. —facebook.com/SUXPride
MacNider Arts Festival June 12 at Charles H. MacNider Art Museum in Mason City. The Charles H. MacNider Art Museum is hoping to hold the 2021 MacNider Arts Festival as an in-person event, but everyone should be aware that this may change. 641-421-3666.
—macniderart.org
62nd Annual Rose Festival June 13-16 at the Lincoln Valley Golf Course in State Center. The town of State Center is known as the “Rose Capital of Iowa” and their official flower will be in full bloom during this festival, the highlight of which is the aromatic rose garden that is open to the public. Activities include a parade, crowning of the “Rose Queen,” live music, and fireworks. —statecenterrosefestival.org
Ice Cream Days June 16-19, Le Mars. Known as the “Ice Cream Capital of the World,” Le Mars is the home of Blue Bunny Ice Cream. This event includes a parade, a Grill-n-Chill Rib Rally, live music, and more. 712-546-8821. —lemarsiowa.com
37th Annual Antique Show June 18-20 in Walnut. Over 350 dealers of antiques and collectibles line the city of Walnut’s historic streets, during this spectacular display of community and tradition. 712-784-3443. —walnutantiqueshow.com
Wurst Festival June 19 in the Amana Colonies. Guests can sample sausages from the area’s best sausage makers and sip on cold drinks, while listening to live music, playing games, and watching the second annual Dachshund Derby. 319-622-7622. —festivalsinamana.com
Des Moines Arts Festival June 25-27 at Western Gateway Park in Des Moines. This event celebrates artists in the Des Moines area, and is one of the world’s most respected festivals, hosting 180 of the nation’s top artists. 515-286-4950. —desmoinesartsfestival.org
Trekfest June 25-26 in downtown Riverside. Star Trek fans from around the nation and world gather at this weekend-long festival, which takes place in the reported birthplace of Capt. James T. Kirk. Events include an overnight softball tournament, Star Trek films projected in the park, guest speakers, water fights, and a parade, all with a Star-Trek theme. —trekfest.org
Cedar Basin Music Festival June 26-27 in Cedar Falls. Music from jazz to classic rock will be played in two different parks over the course of three days. This event takes place in two venues, The Heritage Stage in Sturgis Park and The New Aldaya Jazz Stage, located at 7511 University Ave. —cedarbasinmusic.org
ArtFest Midwest 2021 June 26-27 at Iowa Events Center in Des Moines. This two-day event will feature over 250 artists and their artworks, food, activities, and more. 515-243-2000. —artfestmidwest.com
Laura Ingalls Wilder Days June 26-27 in Burr Oak. Fans of the Little House on the Prairie book series will enjoy this festival, which takes place in the town where Laura lived as a 9-year-old girl. The festival includes pioneer crafts, demonstrations, and children’s games; a skillet toss; a checkers tournament; a grand parade; a pie auction; and a greased pig contest. 563-735-5916. —lauraingallswilder.us
KANSAS
Flint Hills PRCA Rodeo June 3-5 at Flint Hills Rodeo in Strong City. The Flint Hills PRCA Rodeo, traditionally held on the first weekend of June, is the oldest consecutive rodeo in the state of Kansas. A parade, dances, and several other community activities round out these three days of rodeo fun. 620-341-1505.
—flinthillsrodeo.org
June Jaunt June 4-6 in Great Bend. This annual event typically takes place on the first weekend in June. The family-friendly event brings several activities, live music, vendors, and jumbo yard games to Jack Kilby Square in downtown Great Bend. 620-793-4111.
—facebook.com/ExploreGreatBend
2021 Beef Empire Days June 4-12 in Garden City. Beef Empire Days, Inc. was formed in 1967 to promote and educate people on the merits of beef and the cattle feeding industry. This year there are nearly 30 events geared to the cattle feeding industry, the arts and humanities, and the athletes of the High Plains area. 620-275-6807.
—beefempiredays.com
Prairiesta June 10-13 in Russell. This celebration has been held every ten years, since 1941. This coming Prairiesta will be celebrating Russell County’s 150th Anniversary and the State of Kansas’ 160th Anniversary. There’s a talent show, parade, corhhole tournament, rodeo, and more. prairiesta2021@gmail.com —prairiesta2021.com
Edgerton Frontier Days June 19-20 in Edgerton. The community of Edgerton Kansas celebrates its heritage with their annual Frontier Days. Since 1971 this celebration has brought the town together through carnival, craft, sports, music and parade. —edgertonfrontierdays.com
Lights on the Lake June 26 at Osawatomie Lake in Osawatomie. Attendees can celebrate the culture and history of Kansas at this event, which includes food trucks, live music, and fireworks over the lake. 913-755-2146. —ozlightsonthelake.com
25th Anniversary Kicker Country Stampede June 24-26 at Heartland Motorsports Park in Topeka. This event will showcase over 50 artists on four stages. Headlining artists include Luke Combs, Sam Hunt, and Riley Green, as well as other Top 40 recording artists, with an array of other bands and songwriters on the three additional stages located throughout the festival grounds. 785.539.2222. —countrystampede.com
MISSOURI
The Old Time, Ozark Heritage Festival June 5 in West Plains. This two-day festival seeks to celebrate, preserve, pass on and nurture an appreciation of the old-time music and folk life traditions distinctive to the Ozark Highlands. 417-256-8835. —oldtimemusic.org
Ales West June 5 Coleman Hawkins Park at Felix Street Square in St. Joseph. This annual event is Saint Joseph’s original craft beer festival. With more than 50 beers from 20-plus breweries, it promises a full day of the best libations from the region. 816-617-2108. —facebook.com/alesweststjoe
Resound Fest 2021 June 11-12 at Miracle Hills Ranch in Bethany. Besides the plethora of musicians attendees will get to see live in concert, this festival also has paintball, waterslide/swimming pool, paddle boats, canoes, sand volleyball, basketball & shopping. 660.425.2277. —resoundfest.org
10th Annual Stomp the Blues out of Homelessness June 12 at Community Blood Center of the Ozarks in Springfield. This year’s event features music from Samantha Fish, Jeremiah Johnson, Ben Miller Band, and The Sister Lucille Band. Bands start at 1.30 p.m. Local food trucks and vendors will be on hand and adult beverages are available as well. Contact: info@stompthebluesoutofhomelessness.com
—stompthebluesoutofhomelessness.com
Justin Bieber June 16 at at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Bieber’s show originally scheduled for Sept. 6 was rescheduled to June 16. The Canadian singer-songwriter’s Changes Tour continues. 816-949-7100. —t-mobilecenter.com
JuneteenthKC 2021 Heritage Festival June 19 in Kansas City. This free event is a celebration of African American culture that features vendors, live entertainment, activities, and more.816-673-0004. —juneteenth-kc.com
Royal Comedy Tour June 19 at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. This show features comedians Sommore, Lavell Crawford, Earthquake, Arnez J, and Tony Rock. See their hilarious comedy live and in-person. 816-949-7100. —t-mobilecenter.com
Event times and details may change.
Visit omahamagazine.com for complete listings. Check with venue or event organizer to confirm.
This article originally appeared in the June 2021 issue of Omaha Magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.
