Do you like food? Most people like food, that’s a silly question. Do you like live music? Actually, let’s put it this way: Do you like a long-running tradition of dance, games, fireworks, and all the food you could eat and then some?
The 18th annual Taste of Omaha is coming this weekend May 29-31 and this year they’re partnering with Loessfest to spread the fun across both sides of the river. All three days of the event are free to attend, and there will be entertainment for all ages.
Taste of Omaha will feature food from all over Omaha and tastes from all over the world. Nearly 100 different restaurants and vendors are coming together, including several which will be giving cooking demonstrations on the Culinary Arts Stage. There will also be wine and beer gardens for all your liquor tasting curiosities.
In addition to food, there will be ethnic dancers from cultures all over the world and fire spinners to wow you. There will also be a fireworks show Saturday night. There will be a BMX extreme sports exhibition, a ferris wheel and a wild-west themed adventure with pony rides for kids and bull rides for brave adults. Looking for more fun for the little ones? They will have balloons, face painting, magicians and exotic animals for the kids to look at.
As for bands, there will be a vast collection of old and new sounds. From The Brits (a tribute band for The Beatles and all things British) to a Neil Diamond tribute to anything jazzy, bluesy, country or rock to a former X-Factor winner (Tate Stevens) to legendary Glenn Leonard of the Temptations, there will be someone for everyone. Music will be live all three nights across five different stages. Finally, don’t forget that Taste of Omaha is paired with Loessfest this year, which means you can also enjoy Loessfest’s free Mini Maha concert Saturday night, featuring Ben Kweller, The Dodos and Oketo.
We could list everything happening at Taste of Omaha this weekend but you should come out to Heartland of America Park, The Lewis & Clark Landing and River’s Edge Park this weekend to try it yourself. Heartland of America opens Friday at 11 a.m., while The Lewis & Clark Landing and River’s Edge Park will open at 5 p.m. and all three parks close at 11 p.m. On Saturday, all parks open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday the Heartland of America Park and the Lewis & Clark Landing will be open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
A list of performances, sponsors and participating restaurants is available at their website. For contests, photos and more, check out their facebook.