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LET’S PLAN A ROAD TRIP!

Nebraska

FEATHERED FRIENDS AT ARBOR LODGE

May 2—11 at the Arbor Lodge State Historic Park in Nebraska City. Bird Day was designed as a special celebration for school children to learn more about birds as part of their nature study. While serving as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, J. Sterling Morton helped promote the two observances together. Delve into this now-forgotten holiday, learn about birds, and participate in a feathered friends scavenger hunt throughout the 52-room Arbor Lodge Mansion. —arbordayfarm.org/events/

JUNKSTOCK May 5—7 at Sycamore Farms in Waterloo. Features 200+ junk and vintage vendors and artisans from our own backyard and all over the country, live music, food trucks, and a free Kids Village. Pet friendly and children 12 and under are free! Junkstock is the place to be for vintage finds, unique antiques, handmade artisan food, and goods, and one-of-a-kind repurposed relics. The three-day curated vintage, junk, and artisan festival that celebrates all things rusty, dusty, and timeless is at the charming century-old Sycamore Farms. —junkstock.com

JURASSIC QUEST May 12—14 at the Lancaster Event Center in Lincoln. Jurassic Quest is the ONLY place where your family can experience! The largest and most realistic dinosaur exhibit on tour, featuring true-todetail (and size!) dinosaurs, including a 60-foot-long, sky-scraping Spinosaurus, our 80-foot-long Apatosaurus, and our gigantic to scale Tyrannosaurus. —jurassicquest.com

MYSTERY AT THE MANSION – SIN CITY

May 13 at the Arbor Lodge Mansion in Nebraska City. It has been a year since the Paramount Casino at Arbor Lodge Mansion has been under the ownership of Bobby Flynn, and he’s throwing a party to remember. Invited guests include high rollers, politicians, a showgirl, casino dealers and staff, cocktail waitresses, and Elvis himself! Stakes are high, and there is no limit to what can happen. Whose secrets will be exposed? Who will be the victim of murder? Be prepared for a sinister evening in a city known for its secrets and scandals. —arbordayfarm.org/events/

RAIN – A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES May 16 at the Heartland Events Center, Grand Island. Performing songs from Abbey Road and the Rooftop Concert LIVE, in addition to all your favorites hits. This mind blowing performance takes you back in time with the legendary foursome delivering a note-for-note theatrical event that is the next best thing to seeing the Beatles. Experience the worlds’ most iconic band and get back to where you once belonged! —visitgrandisland.com

WHISKEY ACADEMY: WHISKEY HISTORY

May 17 at the Slideshow, Lincoln. Focusing on whiskey in the new world, the colonies, and the role it played in the Revolutionary War and American independence, followed by exploiting the Whiskey Rebellion, the Whiskey Ring and ending with the Civil War. Learn how whiskey is intricately intermingled in all of these historical events and, of course, enjoy some whiskey’s along the way! Led by host and instructor, Kip Givens, who is a Master Whiskey Taster, Certified Bourbon Professional and whiskey author. —sideshowspirits.com

NEBRASKA JUNKATHON May 26—27

In Sargent. Vendors come together for a festival of antiques, food, and more. —facebook.com/junkathonfleamarket

Brownville Flea Market

May 28—30 in Brownville. More than 300 vendors participate in the spring flea market, held annually during Memorial Day weekend, and more than 200 vendors participate in the fall market. —brownvillehistoricalsociety.org

Iowa

THE VALLEY JUNCTION FARMERS MARKET/MUSIC IN THE JUNCTION

May 28-30

May 4—September 28 at Valley Junction, Des Moines. Home to over 80 weekly vendors selling fresh produce, baked goods, plants and flowers, arts and crafts, and prepared foods. Join your friends and neighbors from 4-8pm. Special performances events are scheduled throughout the season. —valleyjunction.com part in a jury process where all entries are eligible to receive awards and cash prizes. There is also live music, food vendors, kids art activities, and more. —waverlychamber.com

MAIFEST May 6—7 at the Amana Colonies. Dancers, food trucks, and a parade will bring German traditions to this celebration. —amanacolonies.com

IGIRLS’ NIGHT OUT May 4 in Cedar Falls. Get your girls together hit the town for a Girls’ Night Out in downtown Cedar Falls. Enjoy a fun evening of shopping, dining, and making memories in the Cedar Falls Downtown District. The downtown merchants pull out all the stops with great discounts, awesome deals, free samples, prize drawings, and more. —cedarfallstourism.org

ART WALK May 6 at Kohlmann Park, Downtown Waverly. This year marks its 18th anniversary, where artists from the tristate area come to Kohlmann Park to sell their works of media, ranging from: basketry, jewelry, pottery, photography, painting, and more. Artists’ booths line the winding sidewalk with a perfect view of the Cedar River, making a stroll through the park a pleasant way to view and purchase the artists’ creations. During the day, a panel of local art professionals take

DOWNTOWN SHOW AND SHINE May 7 at the Downtown District in Cedar Falls. Take a stroll down Main Street and view a showcase of amazing cars and motorcycles. —cedarfallstourism.org

May 06

SPRING GARDEN Festival May 13 at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden in Des Moines. Shop more than 350 plant varieties hand selected by Botanical Garden horticulturists including unique and tried-and-true varieties grown at the garden. Don’t miss gently used garden and plant themed items like planters, garden tools, décor, and much more. Horticulture staff and volunteers will be onsite for the event. —dmbotanicalgarden.com

82ND ORANGE CITY TULIP FESTIVAL

May 17—20 in Orange City. Celebrate Cutch heritage with beautiful tulips, dances in traditional Dutch clothing, daily parades, old-country foods, and more. —octulipfestival.com

CELEBRASIAN May 26-27 at Western Gateway Park, Des Moines. Experience over a dozen Asian Villages where attendees can delight all five of senses from the authentic asian food, educational activities, to live cultural entertainment. Each year the festival unites the different Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander communities in Iowa. Since its inception, CelebrAsian has become one of the year’s most anticipated events. Don’t miss out on the largest Asian American event in Iowa, showcasing cultural exhibits, history, food, performance artists, sports, martial arts, and family-friendly activities.

—iowaasianalliance.com

Farmers Market In The Park

May 27 at Arnolds Amusement Park, Okoboji. 40-plus seasonal vendors, a handful of day vendors, live music and yoga with The Studio Yoga and Barre, and more. —vacationokoboji.com

Kansas

CINCO DE MAYO FESTIVAL May 6 in Liberal. On the weekend closest to May 5th, a Cinco De Mayo festival is held. The event actually begins on Saturday with the crowning of the Cinco De Mayo Queen and entertainment which is often a professional folkloric ballet team from Chihuahua, Mexico. The group specializes in different traditional styles of Mexican folk dancing which showcase culture, heritage and traditions. Sunday’s events begin with a parade and then later, the festival which includes introduction of the queen, a jalapeno eating contest, entertainment, music, food and much more! —travelks.com

3RD ANNUAL KITE FLY May 13 in Lindsborg. Meet at Coronado Heights, just northwest of Lindsborg and for some good oldfashioned kite flying. Attendees can purchase a kit on the spot and make their own kite to fly. There will be a limited supply of kite kits available. Additionally, Wings of the Wind Kites & Toys will be displaying a variety of kites with flying demonstrations. —travelks.com

2023 Abbyville Frontier Days

RODEO & BBQ May 18 in Abbyville. The Abbyville Rodeo is much more than just rodeo. On Friday night, kids attend the rodeo for free. Saturday starts with the Rodeo Parade at 10:30am, followed by Ham & Bean/ Chicken Noodle Dinner at 11:30. The afternoon is filled with family activities. BBQ Meal from 5:00-7:30pm with rodeo following at 8:00pm. —travelks.com

LAWRENCE BUSKER FESTIVAL May 26 in Lawrence. The 16th Annual Busker Festival is a once-a-year-getweird-weekend guests will find unusual entertainment all over historic downtown Lawrence. Attendees are encouraged to celebrate the comeback with a roster of street performers from all around the world. Magicians, jugglers, musicians, acrobats, and more will perform. It’s a full-on festival with food, libations, and fun around every corner. The Lawrence Busker Festival is the area’s largest gathering of street performers in the area. Visitors can expect family fun with some of the most talented freaks, geeks, artists and musicians around. —lawrencebuskerfest.com/

Missouri

May 13

THE DERBY PARTY May 6 in Kansas. Festivities on the historic grounds will include live music by Boogie Nights KC, southern food bites, and NA cocktails provided by Kansas City labels such as Union Horse Distilling Co., Lifted Spirits, Les Bourgeois Vineyards, Bourgmont Vineyard & Winery, Boulevard Brewing Company, PH Coffee, and Daily Culture. Dessert by Poppy’s Ice Cream & Coffee House, on-the-spot photo booth by Picwood; yard games, fun surprises by Worlds of Fun, and so much more. The party celebrates best-dressed and best-hat competitions with special guest judges. Suggested Attire: 70’s summer camp to 70’s sophisticated chic celebrating a decade of individuality and expression. —visitkc.com

HARRY’S HAY DAYS PARADE & FESTI-

VAL May 6 in Grandview. To kick-off the day’s celebration, there will be a parade down Main Street at 9am. Following the parade is a day full of festivities. Main Street will be lined with a variety of vendors for food, crafts, drinks, and much more! There will be fun activities and games for all ages, as well as live music and other entertainment throughout the day. —visitkc.com

LENEXA ART FAIR May 13 in Lenexa. The Lenexa Art Fair is the perfect outing for art enthusiasts and jazz lovers. This one-day, outdoor, juried art fair features about 50 fine artists from the region, live jazz throughout the day, children’s art activities, food trucks, wine, craft beer and fine spirits tastings. —visitkc.com

WELCOME TO LINCOLN!

Lincoln has earned a reputation as one of the Midwest’s most beloved cities. Home to fine culinary and artistic treasures; a budding live music scene; breathtaking parks, golf courses and trails; a passionate following of numerous sports; and a friendly Midwestern attitude, Lincoln offers the exhilaration of a big city and the serenity of the countryside, all in one place. Lincoln is host to many sporting events, concerts, attractions and museums that capture the unique interests from all over the world and offers literally hundreds of choices of where to eat, sleep, work, shop, relax and play. With over 131 miles of trails for biking, running, walking and exploring, you can see all parts of this unique city and experience for yourself what makes Lincoln a popular destination for travelers.

Plan your exciting visit today by visiting lincoln.org.