Summer fun is in the stars, the stadiums, the swimming pools, the parks and the pavilions this year.
After a tough stretch, we’re ready to do all the things we couldn’t do in 2020.
» If festivals are your thing, you’ll be busy every weekend, starting with Taste of Omaha.
» Musicals are returning to suburban stages: “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” will be at the Papillion-La Vista Community Theatre and “The Addams Family” will be in Ralston.
» The College World Series is back at full capacity. There’s nothing like a night at the ballpark. And don’t forget the Olympic Swim Trials.
» The schedule is filled with moonlight concerts on lush lawns (or artificial turf, in the case of country superstar Garth Brooks, who plays Memorial Stadium at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln on Aug. 14). Other acts coming to the area include Blake Shelton, Dashboard Confessional and Melissa Etheridge.
» Gallery hopping is one of the best ways to discover local and regional artists. Our listing makes it easy.
» Looking for adventure? Immerse yourself in a deep sea adventure with James Cameron as your guide. Love baseball? Get to know the greatest Black players of all time.
Get ready for all that and so much more in Nebraska this summer. Here’s what you need to know to stay on the go. The pace is up to you.
All the summer fun coming to Nebraska may keep you up in the clouds.
PhotoFiles: Independence Day parades near Lincoln
Girl in patriotic top hat, 2014
Grace Preciado, 6, rides blinded by her festive top hat in the East Campus Community Organization holiday parade on Friday, July 4, 2014, near Idylwild Park.
5-year-old rides trike in parade, 2014
Connor Hall, 5, rides with his balloons in the parade during the East Campus Community Organization holiday celebration on July 4, 2014, near Idylwild Park.
Mother and daughter at Waverlyfest, 2014
Natalie Lenz and her 2-year-old daughter, Chloe, watch the festivities on July 4, 2014, during the Waverlyfest parade.
Seward Grand Parade, 2019
Seward’s color guard marches during Seward’s grand parade celebrating the Fourth of July in 2019.
Pre-parade pose from 4-year-old, 2004
Whitney Jolliffe, 4, is all decked out before getting on her bike for a neighborhood Fourth of July parade in 2004.
Vehicle at Seward Grand Parade, 2019
A small vehicle navigates the route at Seward’s Grand Parade on July 4, 2019, celebrating the Fourth of July.
Tractors at Seward parade, 2018
Byron Luebbe drives one of a long line of tractors during Seward’s Fourth of July parade in 2018.
East Campus July 4th parade, 2017
Harrison Jones (right) and his little brother, Hank Jones, drive a toy car during the East Campus parade in 2017.
Bike riders at 2013 parade
Youngsters dressed in red, white and blue to celebrate the Fourth of July ride down the street during a parade near Idylwild Park on July 4, 2013.
Abraham Lincoln portrayal at July Fourth parade, 2013
Rachel Witkovski looks at her husband, Marc Witkovski, who is playing the part of Abraham Lincoln while celebrating Independence Day in 2013 near Idylwild Park.
Fourth of July Parade at Idylwild Park, 2013
Youngsters dress in red, white and blue to celebrate Independence Day fill the street near in a parade near Idylwild Park in 2013.
Horses at Seward Grand Parade, 2012
Members of the Seward County Sheriff’s Posse ride down the street past large John Deere tractors as they prepare for the Seward Grand Parade on July 4, 2012.
Pair at Seward Grand Parade, 2012
Dustin Schlake (left) and Patrick Gilson get into the spirit at the Seward Grand Parade on July 4, 2012.
High Street Independence Day parade, 1986
Russell Meyer, 6, and Amy Knight, 10, lead a High Street parade in Lincoln on July 4, 1986.
Doll and candy at Seward Grand Parade, 2012
A baby doll is abandoned in favor of candy thrown by the Seward Grand Parade participants on July 4, 2012 in Seward.
Bike Riders at Indian Village parade, 2015
Uncle Sam leads the parade through the Indian Village neighborhood during the annual Fourth of July Parade in 2015.
Getting wet at Waverlyfest parade, 2014
Seven-year-old Jace Kroger of Waverly gets a little more than candy as a fire truck hoses him and others down on July 4, 2014, during the Waverlyfest parade.
Girl in patriotic glasses, 2014
Decked-out in her stylish Stars and Stripes sunglasses, 7-year-old Kaylee Elliott watches as Motega Clancy of Lincoln catches candy from a Raymond Rural Fire District fire truck on July 4, 2014, during the Waverlyfest parade.
Girl and mother in parade, 2013
Gypsy Anton, 2, sits on her mother Jenny Anton’s lap while riding along in a parade to celebrate the 237th anniversary of Independence Day on July 4, 2013, near Idylwild Park.
Clown at 2003 parade in Ralston
Phill Harris walks the Ralston Independence Day parade in his clown costume on July 4, 2003.
Independence Day parade, 1995
Children attending a daycare in Lincoln get a jump on the Fourth of July with a parade in 1995.
Uncle Sam at Indian Village parade, 2015
David McCreary assumes his annual role as Uncle Sam, leading the Indian Village Fourth of July Parade with a pack of children on decorated bicycles on July 4, 2015.
Three-year-old at 2017 East Campus parade
Aliya Wieting, 3, rides in a decorated wagon during the East Campus July 4th Parade in 2017 at Idylwild Park.
1-year-old rides in East Campus parade, 2014
Morgan Halsted, 1, rides in the East Campus Community Organization holiday parade on July 4, 2014, near Idylwild Park.
Captain America kid, East Campus July 4th Parade, 2017
Silas Moore, age 4, dresses up as superhero Captain America for the East Campus Independence Day Parade on July 4, 2017, at Idylwild Park.
Waverly High School band members at parade, 2014
Waverly High School band members Maggie Geiler (from left), Skye Wellman, Hunter Buresh, Owen Martin and Josh Post play patriotic tunes as they sit on the end of a flatbed trailer July 4, 2014, during the Waverlyfest parade.
Grandparent, grandchildren ready for parade, 2001
Eileen Lippold is ready for the annual Fourth of July parade in Waverly in 2001, with help from her grandchildren Kody Lundy, 11, holding Kole Fillmore, 2, in the driver’s seat, and (from left) Megan Lippold, 10; Korey Fillmore, 8; Taylor Lippold, 4; and Koby Fillmore, 2.
Colonial honor guard at Seward parade, 2017
Dressed in Colonial era uniforms, this honor guard was one of the first groups to march in Seward’s Fourth of July parade in 2017.
We want candy, 2014
Sisters Jaylee, 10, (center) and Ryane Cowen, 5, yell for candy during the grand parade at the 146th annual Seward Fourth of July celebration in 2014.
Kids on scooters at July 4 celebration, 2016
Ben Warner (left) and Hudson Wright, both 5, ride their decorated scooters in the parade during the July Fourth celebration in 2016, at Trendwood Park.
Girl at East Campus July Fourth parade, 2017
Morgan Halsted, 4, preparess to throw candy to the parade spectators during the East Campus July Fourth parade on July 4, 2017, at Idylwild Park.
7-year-old at East Campus parade, 2017
Lucy Mayeux, 7, shows off her decorative eyelashes at the East Campus July Fourth parade at Idylwild Park in 2017.
Tricycle girl at 2013 Independence Day
Nadja Madden, 3, rides her tricycle on Apple Street during a celebration for the 237th anniversary of Independence Day in 2013, near Idylwild Park.
Bubbles and boy at Indian Village parade, 2015
Jonah Rabe waves from a wagon that is outfitted with a bubble machine and pulled by his grandfather during the Indian Village Fourth of July Parade in 2015.
Operation Homecoming parade, 1991
A 155mm self-propelled howitzer rumbles down O Street during the Operation Homecoming parade on July 4, 1991.
Parade watchers at Operation Homecoming, 1991
Harry and Ruth Robinson watch the Operation Homecoming parade on July 4, 1991.
Squirts on Fourth of July, 2000
Eight-year-olds Steven Perkins, Andrew Koranda and Jake Suhr relish their roles as crowd-coolers as they make their way along the parade route in Seward on July 4, 2000.
Cooling off during Friend parade, 2008
The Friend Fire Department cools off Jordyn Ratkovec (left), and brothers Colten and Skyler during the annual Fourth of July parade in Friend in 2008.
Waiting for candy in Seward, 2017
With plastics bags at the ready, a group of youngsters awaits candy treats as a group of tractors head westbound down Seward Street on July 4, 2017, during the annual Fourth of July parade.
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