Omaha Summer Arts Festival’s Children’s Fair features art opportunities for youth. Photo courtesy Omaha Summer Arts Festival.
Today, Oh My! Omaha asks Amy Reiner for the inside scoop on the Children’s Fair, a fun zone for little ones at the Summer Arts Festival. Amy’s a good source for information since she’s been on the Summer Arts Festival board for three years focusing on the Children’s Fair. (She’s also my sister-in-law, so I can vouch for her not making this stuff up)
Tips for your visit to the Omaha Summer Arts Festival Children’s Fair:
The spin/candy art booth is back at the Children’s Fair! Photo courtesy Omaha Summer Arts Festival.
Q. What’s looks like the most fun this year for kids at the festival?
A. We have some new organizations but also some of the favorites including Poppin’ Penelope (balloon artist), Peapod Face Painting and of course the SAF spin/candy art booth will all be
back! Lots of wonderful crafts for example El Museo Latino will have the kids make their own maracas, First National bank tamborines and Girls Inc will decorate carnival masks.
Q. What other activities will there be there that are kid-friendly?
A. There are a lot of teaching opportunities as well as crafts at the Childrens Fair this year. Love’s Jazz and Arts center are doing swing dancing, teaching jazz lingo and making a “swing” mobile. The Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium will teach about animals from Africa and kids will make an African drum.
Q. Will there be live performances just for kids? What are they or what’s the schedule for them?
A. School of Rock will be performing ‘90s pop and Motown! Friday they will be on 14th Street across from the W.Dale Clark Library from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday they will be in the Children’s Area from noon to 12:30 p.m., 1:30 to 2 p.m. and then 3 to 3:30 p.m.
Q. When’s the least crowded time to go to the Summer Arts Festival? (In other words, when’s the best time to go if you hate crowds?)
A. I find first thing in the morning is probably the best time to get there. Not only is it cooler but it is usually a little less crowded. Children’s Fair is open on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Q. Who’s selling the best food/treats/beverages at the festival?
A. For kids, Roro’s Concessions have tasty snacks and hot dogs just outside the Children’s Fair. If you want to sit and relax while having a little lunch or dinner, head down to the Luigi Waites Main Stage where there are so many food options from our TasteFest vendors, have a beer or soda and you can listen to some wonderful music!!
Q. If it’s hot, where do you recommend families head for some relief while there?
A. Most of the crafts are tented so the families have a little shade while they have a great time. Just across the street is the Gene Leahy Mall where we will have tables and chairs to rest and plenty of trees for shade.
Omaha Summer Arts Festival will is Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. along the Gene Leahy Mall in downtown Omaha.