Farnam Festival

The Farnam Festival is indeed a festival, but it is much more than that. It is small indie businesses pulling together to make their neighborhood a better place. It is a celebration of one of the most unique districts in Midtown Omaha. This year, our goal was to raise money for the Farnam 2-way conversion project. We didn’t expect to raise every cent that is needed for the project, but we made money and the 500 people that attended had a great time.


Many thanks to everybody who made this year’s event a huge success…we really appreciate your support! We have already begun planning next year’s event. inevitability, it will be bigger and better. Please continue to check out Facebook page for updates and keep spreading the word.

Here are a few spots nereby to park. Please consider carpooling or walking if you live nearby.

We are expecting a huge turnout for the festival this year, so please plan on arriving when the gates open at 3:00pm for the best parking. Free parking will be available in 4 UNMC lots located very close to the festival grounds. Free parking will be permitted in lots 51, 52, and 7, which are located between 41st and 42nd, north and south of Farnam Street. People can also use lot 15, which is located on 40th between Dewey and Emilie.

On-street parking will also be available on Farnam Street east and west of the festival, as well as on side streets in neighborhoods to the south.

Keep in mind, there will only be one entrance to the festival and this will be located at 40th and Farnam.

Join area businesses, residents and friends of the 40th and
Farnam streets area as they celebrate and raise money with the first annual Farnam Festival on Saturday, August 7, from 3 p.m. -12 a.m. at the corner of 40th and Farnam streets.

The first annual Farnam Festival is being jointly hosted by Iwen Exposures Photography,
Sullivan’s Bar, Oxide Design Co. and the ICON Studio for Hair. These businesses are working in conjunction with a recently-formed committee of Midtown Business Association members to raise money to convert Farnam Street to two-way traffic from 36th to 42nd streets. Their goal is to raise $50,000 by the end of the summer for the project. “The 40th and Farnam Business District has the potential to be one of the most unique and vibrant urban centers in Omaha,” says Brad Iwen, owner of Iwen Exposures Photography. “We already have a diverse family of businesses in this area that are here simply because it’s a great place to live and work. The purpose of the two-way conversion is to allow better local access to businesses and create a more lively
cultural experience that is pedestrian friendly. Our hope is that this will be a great catalyst for new growth in the neighborhood.”

This family-friendly event will feature booths from a variety of area businesses and organizations, along with music and entertainment from local bands. Prizes will be raffled off throughout the night and a silent auction will be held to raise additional funds for the two-way conversion. “It’s really great to see the community taking the initiative to get projects like this going. This particular undertaking, especially, speaks to the Destination Midtown mission of making Midtown Omaha a distinct, urban environment,” says Melanie Lotspeich, communications and events coordinator for Destination Midtown. “These businesses and residents are taking amazing strides to promote economic development on their corner, while advancing their neighborhood goals and forging partnerships with their
neighbors.”

Admission for the event is $10.