Nebraska
Community Appreciation Day May 2 in Grand Island. Event goers can enjoy full day of events, free, at the Stuhr Museum. 308-385-5316.
—stuhrmuseum.gov
Helicopter Day May 16 at Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum in Ashland. Spectators will be able to watch in wonder as commercial and private helicopters fly over the horizon and land right in front them This family-fun event includes a drone workshop, free balloon animals, a make-and-take project, and hands-on activities. 402-944-3100.
—sacmuseum.org
Nebraska Junkathon May 22-24 in Sargent. Vendors come together for a festival of antiques, food, and more. 308-750-9435.
—facebook.com/junkathonfleamarket
Annual Brownville Spring Flea Market May 23-25 in Brownville. Hundreds of vendors bring their wares to this annual tradition, including recycled and up-cycled products, food, and antiques. 402-825-6001.
—brownvillehistoricalsociety.org
Iowa
Art Walk May 2 at Kohlmann Park in Waverly. This fine arts walk includes over 40 artists for goers to look at. Open to the public. 319-352-4526
—waverlychamber.com
Vintage Garden Market with Friends May 2-3 at Rural Route Rust in Avoca. Attendees can enjoy an outdoor market of vintage goods. Drinks, food, and vendors will be available. 402-267-4104.
—ruralrouterust.com
Downtown Show and Shine May 3 at 206 Main Street in Cedar Falls. Cars and motorcycles will line up Main Street for viewing. Vendors will be available for food purchase at this free event open to the public. 319-277-0213.
—communitymainstreet.org
Spring Garden Festival May 7-10 at Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden in Des Moines. This event celebrates everything garden, activities, workshops, and much more. 515-323-6290.
—dmbotanicalgarden.com
80th Annual Orange City Tulip Festival May 14-16 in Orange City. This event, which began in 1936, celebrates Dutch heritage and consists of beautiful tulips, dances performed in traditional Dutch clothing, daily parades, old-country foods, and more. 712-707-4510.
—octulipfestival.com
82th annual North Iowa Band Festival May 21-25 in Mason City. Seventy-six trombones (or more) will parade through the streets of this Iowa town, where Music Man composer Meredith Wilson lived. Along with marching bands, this festival includes a carnival, food, games, and live entertainment. 641-423-5724.
—nibandfest.com
Celebrasian May 21-23 at the Western Gateway Park in Des Moines. In its 18th year, Celebrasian will be a celebration and appreciation of Asian culture, uniting the Asian, Asian-American, and Pacific Islander communities in Des Moines. Guests can enjoy live performances, authentic food, and educational activities. 515-770-1026.
—iowaasianalliance.com
Boone River Valley Festival May 22-25 at the Boone Valley Brewery in Boone. Festival attendees can enjoy a weekend filled with music, crafts, and fun for the whole family.
—boonerivervalleyfestival.com
Spring Art & Craft Festival May 23-25 at Triangle Park in McGregor. This events kicks off summer with events including face painting and kid activities. 563-873-2186.
—mcgreg-marq.org
Maifest May 30-31 at Amana Colonies. Normally held the first of May, this event is being held in late May this year due to the coronavirus. Dancers, food trucks, and a parade will bring German traditions to this celebration of Spring. 319-622-7622. Email info@amanacolnies.com for more information.
Missouri
Gatsby Days May 1-3 in Excelsior Springs. Break out the beads, fringe, and zoot suits for this homage to the roaring ‘20s. Events include a fashion stroll, antique car parade, a Gin & Jazz party, vaudeville performances, and more. 816-630-6161.
—esculturalguild.com
2020 Apple Blossom Parade Festival May 2 in St. Joseph. The parade has been in existence for over ninety years, and it has expanded into a festival with a Kansas City BBQ Society-sanctioned barbecue contest. The event runs in conjunction with Discover Downtown, which features live music, food vendors, and kids activities. 816-261-0422.
—appleblossomparade.com
Harry’s Hay Days May 4-5 in Grandview. This family-friendly event, taking place at the childhood home of Harry S. Truman, will be a celebration of his birthday and legacy. It is a two day event filled with music, vendors, games, and a parade. 816-316-4888.
—grandviewharryshaydays.com
Artfest on Walnut May 2-3 in Springfield. Over 100 artists will be on display at this celebration of art, with performances, food, and activities for the whole family. 417-831-6200.
—springfieldarts.org
VolksWeston May 30 in Weston. This event will display Vintage Volkswagens along Main St. to the City Hall parking lot. 816-640-2757.
—westonmo.com
Centralia Anchor Festival May 29-31 at the City Square in Centralia. This events brings a family fun day filled with music, a parade and carnival, and more. 573-682-2272.
—centraliamochamber.com
Kansas
Peony Festival May 16-17 at Stockton Area Chamber of Commerce in Stockton. The annual Peony Festival will feature peony displays around the city. The event includes a parade, craft vendors, and more. 785-425-6703.
—stocktonks.com
Lawrence Busker Festival May 22-25, Downtown Lawrence. This annual event invites everyone to enjoy a get-weird-weekend. It includes unusual live performances by artists, both local and global, and includes the Thursday evening Busker Ball. It has become so popular an extra day (Monday) has been added. 785-843-2787.
—lawrencebuskerfest.com
This calendar was printed in the March/April 2020 edition of Omaha Magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.
