Nebraska
Heritage Day June 6 at Yanney Heritage Park in Kearney. Kick-off summer with this free event that includes inflatables, several food vendors, fireworks, and live music. 308-233-3278. —yanneypark.org
Polish Days June 12-14 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
Nebraskaland Days June 14-27 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 headline the music. 308-532-7939.
—nebraskalanddays.com
Annevar June 12-13, 19-21 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 19 and 20 at Round the Bend Steakhouse in Ashland. This festival really has some…well, never mind. 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
Father’s Day Car Show June 20-21 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
40th Annual Homestead Days June 24-28 at Homestead National Monument near Beatrice and in 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, geocaching and more. 402-223-3514.
—nps.gov/home
Ribfest June 27-28 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
Iowa
SUX PRIDE June 6-7 at Doxx Warehouse Bar in Sioux City. This two-day event will be a celebration of the diversity in Sioux City, featuring an equality march, drag shows, and more.
—facebook.com/SUXPride
Scandinavian Days June 5-7 in Story City. This festival celebrates the Scandinavian heritage of Story City. Events include Kumla and Kringla eating contests, a Lutefisk throwing contest, a 5k run/walk, live music, and a craft fair.
—storycitygcc.org
MacNider Arts Festival and Outdoor Art Market June 8 at Charles H. MacNider Art Museum in Mason City. This festival, a celebration of ‘Music Man’ Meredith Willson, includes a free pancake breakfast, inflatables, and live music. An art market will be displayed on the museum lawn. 641-421-3666.
—macniderart.org
Ice Cream Days June 17-20, 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
State Center Rose Festival June 18-21 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
37th Annual Antique Show June 19-21 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 20 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 26-28 at Western Gateway Park in Des Moines. This event celebrates artists in the Des Moines area and includes the Interrobang Film Festival as well as visual arts and music. Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Fame Inductees The Family Stone headline Saturday night. 515-286-4950.
—desmoinesartsfestival.org
ArtFest Midwest 2019 June 27-28 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
Missouri
North End Festival June 5-6 at Krug Park in St. Joseph. This community festival includes live music, a parade, dance performances, vendors, food, and fireworks. 816-232-1839.
—stjomo.com
JuneteenthKC Heritage Festival June 20 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
Kansas
Heartland Stampede June 25-27 in Topeka. This country music festival is three days of fun and country music. Headliners include Luke Combs and Toby Keith. 785-539-2222.
—countrystampede.com
Lights on the Lake June 27 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.
—facebook.com/OzLightsontheLake
This calendar was printed in the June 2020 edition of Omaha Magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.
