NORFOLK OKTOBERFEST Sept. 24-25 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 tailgate, teen dance, and free rides home anywhere in Norfolk from 12:30-2:00 a.m. 402.371.4862. —norfolkareachamber.com GROWN UPS’ GETAWAY AT THE PUMPKIN PATCH
TBD 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
NEBRASKA
RICHARDSON COUNTY FREE FAIR Sept. 15-18 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
KARLY DRIFTWOOD AND DILLON GAIGE Sept. 8 at Shotguns Bar, 1332 P St. in Lincoln Country. Music singer/songwriter Karly Driftwood of Nashville joins Sutton, Nebraska, native Dillon Gaige. —downtownlincoln.org PLATTSMOUTH HARVEST FESTIVAL Sept. 9-12 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 cornhole competition, and music. 402.516.4914. —plattsmouthharvestfestival.com
OGALLALA INDIAN SUMMER RENDEZVOUS Sept. 16-18 at Rendezvous Square, Ogallala. Going on their 34th year, downtown Ogallala offers a celebration of their past with bands, entertainment, dancing, and local talents. 308.289.5674 . —ogallalaindiansummerrendezvous.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 TBD, 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
20TH ANNUAL POLISHFEST Sept. 12 at Polish Heritage Center Museum HARVEST FESTIVAL Sept. 16-19 in SLEEPY HOLLOW RENAISSANCE FAIRE Sept. 4-6, Sept. and St. Francis Community Hall, Gothenburg. The three-day event is the 11-12, and 18-19 at Sleepy Hollow Sports Park, Des Ashton. This event will feature the town’s annual festival, full of arts and crafts Moines. This event is a magical experience for both music of Barry Boyce Band, educational as well as a large parade. 308.537.3505. — young and old. When people enter the gates for the workshops on the Polish language, and gothenburgdelivers.com first time they will go back in time to an era when speaker Beth Gross. Traditional Polish food royalty ruled, knights jousted, and the arts came and music will also be available. 308.738.2260. THE DILLON GAIGE BAND Sept. 17 at The Field alive. 515.262.4100. —sleepyhollowrenfaire.com — polishheritagecenter.com Sports Bar and Grill, Diller. Dillon Gaige Band are an up-and-coming group of musicians. This show ARTAPALOOZA Sept. 11 at Cedar Falls Community HARVEST FAIR Sept. 11-12 at Stuhr Museum, will feature another up-and-coming artist, Jake Main Street, Cedar Falls. Children and adults Grand Island. This popular fall event celebrates Kloefkorn. They have been participating in gigs can participate in hands-on art activities and harvest time with live music, pumpkin all over Nebraska, and are excited to continue view work from over 40 participating artists. activities, and harvest cookery. 308.385.5316. touring and meet new people. Admission: Sept. 319.277.0213. —communitymainstreet.org —stuhrmuseum.org Free. 402.984.9914. —dillongaige.com
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LINCOLN CALLING Sept. 23-25 in downtown
Lincoln. Featuring headliners Lee Fields & The Expressions and Soccer Mommy, this annual nonprofit musical 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 info@lincolncalling.com — lincolncalling.com
LEGACY OF THE PLAINS HARVEST FESTIVAL Sept. 18-19 at Legacy of the Plains Museum, Gering. For the 23rd year, the annual Harvest Festival attracts thousands of visitors for activities such as food vendors, a corn maze, livestock viewing, and more. The highlight crop this year is dry, edible beans. 308.436.1989. —legacyoftheplains.org
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SEPTEMBER 2021
APPLEJACK FESTIVAL Sept. 17-19 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. — nebraskacity.com
ANNUAL STEELE CITY FLEA MARKET AND ANTIQUE FARM MACHINERY SHOW Sept. 18-19 in Steele
City. With food and live music, and free vendor space for vendors selling everything from crafts to antiques, this event attracts many. 402.729.5131. — visitnebraska.com
BEAVERDALE FALL FESTIVAL Sept. 17-18 in Beaver Falls, Des Moines. More than 40 years ago, merchants in the Beaverdale area first began this annual fall tradition, which now features sidewalk sales, carnival rides, music, beer tents, and a parade. The festival includes several activities such as an arts and crafts market, talent show, and horse rides. —fallfestival.org
43RD ANNUAL HOT AIR BALLOON DAYS Sept. 17-19 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. In addition there is a parade with a marching band contest, a balloon night glow, food booths, and more. 641.782.7021. —unioncountyiowatourism.com
