Bethany Widman
The crystalline
structures fall from the sky slowly, each one a little different than the last
but just as cold. 10…9...8…7…
As the countdown begins,
one feels the pressure of a thousand others pressing forward to take part in
the show, which is about to happen.
6…5…4…
Your shivering
ceases while the hot chocolate warms your hands and soul and you wonder if it
can ever be as good as last year.
3…2…1!
The beautiful white
lights flicker on at once and the “ooohs” and “ahhhs” of the crowd seem to rise
up to the sky as onlookers run toward the glowing trees.
Only one thing
surely comes to mind…The Holiday Lights Festival. Held every year in the Old Market, it provides a wonderful time
for families and friends alike.
“The Lights
Festival was really fun and exciting.
My family and I love getting in the Christmas spirit by walking downtown
and seeing the beautiful lights,” said freshman Lacy Harwood.
Omaha offers not
only a wonderful winter atmosphere for those Christmas and light bulb lovers,
but also a variety of other festivals to attend.
For those
Shakespeare fans, Shakespeare on the Green takes place every summer usually
from mid-June to early July. A great
performance and a citronella candle create a great summer night and all for
free. Unless you want to buy a three
dollar piece of cake.
The summer is a
popular time for festivals in the Omaha area.
Along with Shakespeare on the Green, the Summer Arts Festival also takes
place. Everything from paintings and sculptures
to tea and lemon pie can be found at this festival. Next year’s tentative date for the Summer Arts Fest is June
25-27, 2004 in Downtown Omaha.
For all of the avid
Kool-Aid drinkers out there have no fear, for even they have a festival to call
their own. Recently held Aug. 10 in
Hastings, Nebraska, the annual Kool-Aid Fest was a smashing success. The world’s largest Kool-Aid stand, games,
and Kool-Aid collectibles made for a great day.
Kool-Aid happens to
come from the Greek word… never mind.
However, on this note, there was a Greek Festival held Aug. 15-17 of
this year at Heartland of America Park.
Junior Katerina Anastasiou along with senior Christina Knowles danced at
the festival for the third straight year.
“I really enjoyed
the baklava sundaes and being the entertainment for everyone else there,” said
Anastasiou. Along with dancing, Greek
food, live bands, games and boutiques added to the relaxed and comfortable
environment. “It’s a great time for
everyone,” Anastasiou said.
Coming up quick on
Oct. 4 and 5, one can walk through the falling leaves at the Nishna River
Renaissance Fair in Avoca, Iowa.
Admission is only $8.00 for a whole day of professional jousting,
swordplay, magic and stories. For more
information about upcoming festivals check out www.allaboutomaha.com.
Whether you have
considered attending a festival or not, there is something out there for
everyone. From Kool-Aid collectors to
ethnic fests, one can never be bored with wide selection of festivals in the
Omaha area.