September Fest History & Summary
Since 1977 SeptemberFest has offered five days of entertainment, educational and artistic displays, a carnival and Omaha's largest parade. The festival runs for 5 days, ending on the Labor Day weekend.
The annual Salute to Labor has something for the entire family, from the musical acts in the Beer Garden, to plenty of entertainment for children in the Kiddie Kingdom, to a giant carnival midway for the entire family. SeptemberFest also includes arts & crafts, food, and a number of new special attractions each year.
The event draws visitors from a five-state area including Nebraska, lowa, Kansas, Missouri and South Dakota. The variety of SeptemberFest programming attracts people of all ages and interests to make a weekend bus or auto tour to Omaha revolving around the celebration. Proceeds from SeptemberFest fund a number of community improvement projects, and the event has been honored with a number of awards.
The annual Salute to Labor has something for the entire family, from the musical acts in the Beer Garden, to plenty of entertainment for children in the Kiddie Kingdom, to a giant carnival midway for the entire family. SeptemberFest also includes arts & crafts, food, and a number of new special attractions each year.
The event draws visitors from a five-state area including Nebraska, lowa, Kansas, Missouri and South Dakota. The variety of SeptemberFest programming attracts people of all ages and interests to make a weekend bus or auto tour to Omaha revolving around the celebration. Proceeds from SeptemberFest fund a number of community improvement projects, and the event has been honored with a number of awards.
Community Service Projects & Recognition The following are highlights of some of the major community projects that SeptemberFest has supported over the years.
- Family Shelter-SeptemberFest helped establish the first family shelter in Omaha. This project earned the Omaha Federation of Labor the President's Volunteer Action Award presented in April of 1985 by President Ronald Reagan.
- Potter House--SeptemberFest supported the completion of this residential facility for families of children being treated at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. The project won the 1,000 Points of Light Award in 1992, which was presented to Chairman Moore by President George Bush. More than 500 volunteers donated their talents and solicited material contributions for a total value of $320,000. A dilapidated mansion was renovated to provide a home for up to 20 families at a time as they accompany children undergoing transplants at the Medical Center.
- Omaha Area Food Bank-SeptemberFest was instrumental in establishing the major food bank in Omaha
- Salvation Army-SeptemberFest has been a strong supporter of the Salvation Army and its many humanitarian programs.
- Creighton University Piazza and Fountain-SeptemberFest worked with local craftsmen to get donated time and skills to construct a fountain and plaza on the Creighton University campus.
- Battered Women Shelter-SeptemberFest supported establishment of one of the area's first shelters for battered women at Boys Town.
- Construction of the search and rescue station at NP Dodge Park
- Labor Monument - In 2003 SeptemberFest coordinated the skills of local craftsmen and contractors to construct a monument to labor at Lewis and Clark Landing Park. The monument is the second tallest monument dedicated to labor in the United States. However, weighing in at over 270 tons Omaha's Monument “Labor" boast the largest and most detailed monument to working people in the country. Nearly 100 volunteers donated their time and skills to help make this monument a destination for travelers.
- Labor History Walk - SeptemberFest was the catalyst that propelled the celebration of the history of Omaha's labor organizations in Lewis and Clark Landing Park to a reality in 2003. By recruiting the skills and talents of local artists, historians and volunteers, Labor History Walk displays the history of many of the organizations that that were responsible for Omaha's unique skyline.
- Firefighters Monument - Dedicated on Patriot's Day, 09-11-09, the Firefighters Monument is a constant memorial to the 55 bravest and most courageous firefighters who paid the ultimate price so that others in harm's way may live. The bronze sculpture is 12 feet high surrounded by a wall that forever bears the names of the men who gave their lives in answering the call of duty near the Lewis and Clark Landing.
September Fest Awards
The annual SeptemberFest celebration has not only been a crowd-pleaser for the millions who have attended the event over the years, it has also been recognized by professionals in the travel and tourism industry.
Top 50 Old West Trail Events
The editors of the Old West Trail Explorer named SeptemberFest one of the top 50 Old West Trail Events in 1996.
Trailblazer Award
In 1979 SeptemberFest was awarded the "Trailblazer Award" by the State of Nebraska's Department of Economic Development division of Travel and Tourism. The event was honored for bringing new tourism to Nebraska. This is not an annual award, but is given only to recognize new events that have been a clear success.
Sower Award
In 1980 the Nebraska Committee for the Humanities presented the “Sower Award” to SeptemberFest for reaching a mass audience with a stage production, "A Night of History and Music.” The “Sower Award" recognizes those who significantly further the public understanding of humanities in the state.
Top 100 Events
In 1981 SeptemberFest was listed by the American Bus Association as one of the top 100 events in North America. The annual festival shared the top 100 with such internationally known attractions as the Tournament of Rose Parade and the Quebec Winter Festival. The award is given by an independent committee made up of bus operators and travel authorities. Recently SeptemberFest ranked second in a survey of visitors by the Greater Omaha Convention and Visitors Bureau asked to rank Fairs, Festivals and Special Events they had attended in Omaha.
The annual SeptemberFest celebration has not only been a crowd-pleaser for the millions who have attended the event over the years, it has also been recognized by professionals in the travel and tourism industry.
Top 50 Old West Trail Events
The editors of the Old West Trail Explorer named SeptemberFest one of the top 50 Old West Trail Events in 1996.
Trailblazer Award
In 1979 SeptemberFest was awarded the "Trailblazer Award" by the State of Nebraska's Department of Economic Development division of Travel and Tourism. The event was honored for bringing new tourism to Nebraska. This is not an annual award, but is given only to recognize new events that have been a clear success.
Sower Award
In 1980 the Nebraska Committee for the Humanities presented the “Sower Award” to SeptemberFest for reaching a mass audience with a stage production, "A Night of History and Music.” The “Sower Award" recognizes those who significantly further the public understanding of humanities in the state.
Top 100 Events
In 1981 SeptemberFest was listed by the American Bus Association as one of the top 100 events in North America. The annual festival shared the top 100 with such internationally known attractions as the Tournament of Rose Parade and the Quebec Winter Festival. The award is given by an independent committee made up of bus operators and travel authorities. Recently SeptemberFest ranked second in a survey of visitors by the Greater Omaha Convention and Visitors Bureau asked to rank Fairs, Festivals and Special Events they had attended in Omaha.
