The sun rose over a hazy Omaha skyline on July 31, 2021. But the sticky heat and smoky air wouldn’t stop thousands of Omahans from converging on North 30th Street for the first Native Omaha Days’ parade since COVID-19 touched down in 2020.
The celebration, which happens every two years and is now on its 23rd round, is a homecoming for North Omaha. Events, trolley rides and the centerpiece parade allow people to see old friends, reminisce on days gone by and celebrate the history of one of Omaha’s oldest and most historic neighborhoods.
The Reader and El Perico took part in the parade to pass out paper and candy. However, reporter Chris Bowling walked up and down the parade route as it traveled north on North 30th Street to capture the energy of the event.
Click through the images below to see how we experienced Native Omaha Days 2021.
Attendees climb a bridge to see the parade against a hazy sky.
Kids call for candy while adults watch the parade.
The Parade starts to make its way northward on North 30th Street.
A child watches bored from a balcony along North 30th Street.
Kids call for candy.
The shriners share a moment as they tear up the pavement.
A little girl tries to steal a red chair.
A dog gets a ride along the parade route.
Local members of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Photo by Chris Bowling.
Local members of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Photo by Chris Bowling.
A family poses for a portrait along the parade route.
A woman tries to talk to two kids.
A woman carries a child across North 30th Street.
Parade attendees wait for floats to pass by Howard Elementary School.
A man poses alone along the parade route.
Three friends pose for a portrait along the parade route.
Kids climb a bridge near Howard Elementary School to see the parade from above.
The parade route nears the end.
And just because the photographer wants to embarrass his coworkers:
Emma Schartz (left) and Bridget Fogarty (right) looking cheerful as ever.
Emma Schartz walks along the parade route.
Publisher John Heaston pulling double duty as candy passer-outer and newsboy.
Bridget Fogarty passes newspapers out along North 30th Street.
Bridget Fogarty (right) holds up a copy of The Reader while Emma Schartz (left) and John Heaston (middle) turn away unimpressed.
