Nebraska
20th Annual Polishfest Sept. 13 at Polish Heritage Center Museum and St. Francis Community Hall, Ashton. This event will feature the music of Sheelytown, tours of the museum, pre-sales of pierogi, and soups—sauerkraut and sausage, chicken noodle, and czarnina—a silent auction, quilt and money raffle, and a Polish mass. 308.750.6439.
— facebook.com/Polish-Heritage-Center-Inc
Annual Steele City Flea Market and Antique Farm Machinery Show Sept. 19-20 in Steele City. With food, demonstrations, an antique tractor show, and spaces for vendors selling everything from crafts to antiques, this event attracts many. 402.729.5131.
— fairbury.com/events/steele-city-flea-market
Richardson County Free Fair Sept. 19 at Richardson County Ag Society, Humboldt. Starting off each morning with a parade, the entertainment this year will be limited to one day. There will still be vendors, concessions, and live music from High Heel. Other activities include exhibits and animal shows. 402.245.4324.
—facebook.com/richardsoncountyfair
Harvest Fair Sept. 13 at Stuhr Museum, Grand Island. This popular fall event celebrates harvest time with live music, pumpkin activities, and a medicine show. 308.385.5316.
—stuhrmuseum.org
Legacy of the Plains Harvest Festival Sept. 19-20 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. 17-19 at Rendezvous Square, Ogallala. Going on their 35th year, downtown Ogallala offers a celebration of their past with bands, entertainment, dancing, and local talent. Food will also be available, including a chili cook-off and bloody Mary competition 308.284.4066.
—ogallalaindiansummerrendezvous.com
AppleJack Festival Sept. 18-20 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. 17-20 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. 25-26 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 20th 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
Wakefield Balloons Days Sept. 25-26 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. 19-Oct. 31, 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
Iowa
ARTapalooza Sept. 12 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
World Food & Music Festival Sept. 18-20 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
Kansas
Dancefestopia Sept. 10-13 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 Livestock Show Sept. 3-20, weekends only at Kansas State Fairgrounds, Hutchinson. In the spirit of tradition, the Kansas State Fair will host special edition livestock shows starting Labor Day weekend. They will have 4-H and FFA youth livestock competitions, plus open class livestock exhibitions in September. 620.669.3600.
—kansasstatefair.com
2020 Virtual LAFestival Sept, 1-30 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 show pieces that influence, inform, and celebrate Latino culture. 913.940.4136.
—latinoartsfoundationkc.com
Ciderfest Sept. 26-27 and Oct. 3-4 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
Laurie Hillbilly Fair Sept. 11-12 at 269 Fairgrounds Drive, Laurie. Crafts, food, music, and carnival rides make for an enjoyable weekend in Laurie. 573.374.8776.
—cityoflaurie.com
State of the Ozark Festival Sept. 12 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. 17-19 in downtown Branson. This free event features live music, homemade crafts, and a sidewalk sale. 417.334.1548.
—explorebranson.com
Harvest Hootenanny Sept. 18-19 at Mark Twain Cave, Hannibal. Featuring many activities for kids and adults, the two-day event celebrates the town’s history and scenery. Pony rides, pumpkin painting, and wall climbing are just some of the activities offered. 573.221.2477.
—visithannibal.com
Fall Festival of Arts and Crafts Sept. 25-27 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. 25-26 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 info@bluegrassbattleshunger.com for more information.
—bluegrassbattleshunger.com
Overland Park Fall Festival Sept. 26 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 2020 edition of Omaha Magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.
