🎭 October First Friday + Handmade Parade
📍 Benson Creative District
🗓️ Friday, Oct 3 | ⏰ 5 PM–Late
🎨 FREE & Open to All
BFF Omaha + Giant Joy Collective present the first-ever Handmade Parade — a community celebration where art takes to the streets! Giant puppets, DIY floats, costumes, and banners will transform Benson into a moving work of art created by neighbors, families, schools, and YOU.
🖌️ Pre-Parade Fun (Free & Family-Friendly!)
📍 Rosehill Elementary Blacktop | 4–6 PM
✨ Creation Station – Mask & prop making
✨ Collaborative Faces Mural – Add your mark
✨ Face Painting – by Liudmyla Levinson
📍 Benson Community Center | 1–3 PM
✨ Schools Out Craft Day – kid-friendly DIY projects
🎭 Handmade Parade
📍 Rosehill Elementary | Lineup 6 PM | Parade Start 6:30 PM
Neighbors, artists, and organizations bring UNITY THROUGH CREATIVITY to life with puppets, costumes, floats, and people-powered magic!
🎶 Post-Parade Party
📍 Petshop Gallery & Backlot | 7:30–10 PM
🎵 The Cruel Idiots (7:00)
🎵 Root (7:30)
🎵 Hair Person (8:00)
🎵 The Mercurys (8:30)
PLUS: Puppet theatre, skateboarding, face painting, library fun, DIY junk wall, photo ops & more along 62nd Street!
🏃 Benson Bolt .5k: The Race for People Who Hate Running
📍 Starts at St. Andrews Pub (6102 Maple St.)
⏰ Check-in at 5 PM | Race at 6 PM
Run (or stumble) .31 miles through Benson’s favorite haunts with shots, swagger, and costumes encouraged. Finish line lands you right at the Handmade Parade!
👉 Register here:
https://checkout.page/s/ltp9SNYWpWntO
🛍️ BFF Artist Market
📍 Benson Theatre (6054 Maple St.)
⏰ 6–9 PM
30+ vendors featuring handmade goods, art, music, and food inside the historic Benson Theatre. Shop local, grab a drink, and enjoy the heart of First Friday.
🖼️ Gallery + Exhibition Highlights
📍BFF Gallery (5901 Maple St.)
Nebraska Art Teachers Association Art Educator Exhibition
📍Petshop Gallery (2727 N. 62nd St.)
Amoral City Folk - Three New York artists bring new work to Omaha.
📍MaMO (2725 N. 62nd St.)
Nebraskans for Palestine present Breathing Occupation
📍Star Deli Gallery (6114 Military Ave)
Off - Shift: Joslyn Staff Group Show
📍Ming Toy Gallery (6066 Maple St.)
FACES | Danielle Emsick
📍Radial Arts Center (5915 Maple St)
“There's More To See” — Baylee Bennett
📍Nebraska AIDS Project (6220 Maple St)
🍂 5:00–6:30 PM — Carve Out Hope Pumpkin carving & decorating (free!)
🌙 8:00–10:00 PM — KINKTOBER (19+)
Spooktacular Performances $5 suggested donation
📍The Sydney (5918 Maple St)
Neva Dinova’s Jake Bellows w/ Violenteer, The Sun-Less Trio, Custom Catacombs, Ashley Rayne Boe
📍 Full map + schedule: bffomaha.org/events/october-3rd-first-friday
🙏 Thank You to Our First Friday Sponsors!
⭐ Mutual of Omaha · Ted & Wally's Ultra-Premium Homemade Ice Cream · Park Omaha
💛 Handmade Parade Sponsors
Dundee Bank · WP Engine · Rose Hill PTO · Montessori Co-Op School · Central Skate Shop · The Nebraska Arts Council & Cultural Endowment
💛 Friend of BFF Business Members
ASL Interpreting Services · The Bay · Blue Line Coffee · Central Skate Shop · Dahlia House · Gregg Grossman, Inc. · Heather Tedesco, Realtor, BHGRE · Jake's Cigars · Maven Social · Metropolitan Community College · Ming Toy Gallery · Nebraska AIDS Project · Omaha Roller Derby · RAIL + STEAM · SET the Bar · Shaheen’s Afghan Cuisine · Shipment Vintage · Slowdown · Snowy Sundaes · Star Deli · StudioDaze Omaha · Taco Co. · The Garage by the Grey House · The Sydney
💛 BFF Omaha: Building Community Through Arts Engagement!
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