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Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience

Imagine being completely immersed in more than 300 of the greatest works of post-Impressionist artist Vincent Van Gogh. Now imagine experiencing all of this art liberated from its two-dimensional limitations into a three-dimensional experience that exhilarates every sense and brings to life one of the most influential artists the world has known.

Beyond Van Gogh will have a limited engagement in the Omaha metro area, from June 23 to August 14, 2022. The exhibition will be held at The Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs, IA, just five minutes from downtown Omaha. The exhibition will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Four entry times will be available each hour. Tickets will be sold online only at www.vangoghomaha.com.

Little Tike Hike | Botna Bend Park

July's Little Tike Hike at Botna Bend Park will take place along Wildflower Glen trail throughout the month. As you enjoy the sights & sounds along the trail you will spot activities posted along your route that are designed to help learners ages 3 to 5 experience nature in a new way. While it is designed for young learners, any age can learn something new and have fun, too! Activities are posted along a .25 to .3 mile stretch of the trail for your enjoyment. This is an "out & back" hike, once you reach the end of the trail you turn around & head back to the trailhead, making a .5 to .6 mile round-trip hike. Of course, if you are having fun you can choose to continue on & enjoy more of the beautiful trails without posted activities. Signs will be posted to help you find your way.

Friday at 5 Tour: Time & Telegraphs: Texting in the 19th Century

The original instant messenger, the telegraph changed the way we communicate over long distances and was crucial to the expansion of the railroad. Join us on a tour of the museum and discover how the telegram killed the Pony Express and which US President was known to sometimes sleep in the telegraph office. On select Fridays at 5pm, meet us at the Union Pacific Railroad Museum in Council Bluffs for a special tour of the museum featuring histories you won't find on the walls. Tickets are $5 per person!

Live Music with The Dualtones

The Dualtones are Fred Schwery on electric guitar with Dan Klepke on harmonica and flute. They come together to create a unique sound, as they perform a mixture of blues and classic rock.

Friday Glow Night

This is a great night for families! Come down together and enjoy our Friday nights as we transform The Hub into a night of cosmic fun! The lights will go down, the music will go up, and we will fire up lasers, black-lights, disco balls, and more. This event includes open jump, glow-in-the-dark dodgeball, games, and giveaways! All ages welcome! From 8:00- 10:30pm!

Stir Concert Cove Presents: Tesla and Warrant

Tesla may have been born in the mid-80s eruption of leather, spandex, and big hair, but they were always about one thing - 1970s rock and roll - and they're still soaring and roaring! 2020 marked the 30th anniversary of one of Tesla's most iconic albums, Five Man Acoustical Jam, and the upcoming tour will feature performances of the most seminal tracks from this ground-breaking acoustic record. 

Visit our blog for the Stir Concert Cove 2022 season lineup! 

Lake Manawa Fireworks

Council Bluffs, Iowa’s 4th of July Celebration, your local fireworks display celebrating Independence Day is put together by a non-profit made up of local volunteers. Lake Manawa Fireworks is proud to host the celebration of our nation’s independence day. Council Bluffs looks forward to this beautiful celebration every summer! Whether you enjoy the fireworks from the water or the shoreline of our beautiful lake, we know you’ll feel the pride we have for our city and country!

Little Tike Hike | Hitchcock Nature Center

July's Little Tike Hike at Hitchcock Nature Center will take place along Blazing Star Trail from Saturday, July 2nd through Sunday, July 10th. This Tike Hike will start at the Badger Ridge trailhead. As you enjoy the sights & sounds along the trail you will spot activities posted along your route that are designed to help learners ages 3 to 5 experience nature in a new way. While it is designed for young learners, any age can learn something new and have fun, too! Activities are posted along a .25 to .3 mile stretch of the trail for your enjoyment. This is an "out & back" hike, once you reach the end of the trail you turn around & head back to the trailhead, making a .5 to .6 mile round-trip hike. Of course, if you are having fun you can choose to continue on & enjoy more of the beautiful trails without posted activities. Signs will be posted to help you find your way.

Fireworks Spectacular/Family Fun "We Love America" at the Fair

Local citizens of Free Speech America offer a wonderful 'We Love America Night' at Westfair in Council Bluffs on Saturday, July 2! This family-friendly event is free to the public. There will be food trucks, inflatables, face painting, balloon creations, live music by the amazing band Nebraska Showdown, and a spectacular firework show for the grand finale. Bring a lawn chair or blankets and all of your family and friends! This is not an evening you want to miss!

Food trucks: Zaltes Ice Cream, Ohana Shaved Ice, BBQ Brothers, KGB foods, Load Star Pizza, Pim’s Thai, High Voltage BBQ, Johnny Ricco’s Brooklyn Pizza, Juanito’s Taco Truck, Wonton’s Jon’s, AG&G Concessions, and Taqueria Santa Anita.

This event is hosted by Free Speech America (freespeechamerica.org). It is made possible through community-wide sponsorships. If you wish to help defray costs, a free-will donation can be made at the event. For more information message us on the Free Speech America Facebook page.

Oakland Independence Day Celebration

Oakland's Independence Day Celebration will take place on July 3rd and 4th. On July 3rd, Oakland Riverside Golf Course will host a golf tournament, there will be church services in the park, and PEO's 8th annual Whadda Ya Know? Trivia Night will be at 7:00 pm at the Community Building. On July 4th activities begin at 7 am with the Fire Department pancake breakfast. There will be a car show, live music, 30+ booths with food and shopping, a bbq showcase, kickball tournament, beer garden, parade at 5:00 pm, more live music, and a pie-eating contest before the fireworks display at dusk. Find the flyer with all of the details on the City of Oakland, Iowa Facebook page or website.

Independence Day Free Community Event

Everyone is invited to this free event! The Dodge House will be supplying free hamburgers hotdogs, chips, and water. We'll also have a Kona Ice truck. You can enjoy this refreshing treat for only $1 per cup. You'll enjoy amazing old-time music (provided by Flatwater Drifters), readings from the Declaration of Independence, drawings, and more!

City of Avoca Fireworks Display

The City of Avoca's annual fireworks display will be held after dusk on Sunday, July 3, 2022. Fireworks will be visible from CountryView Clubhouse, Edgington Memorial Park, and many places throughout the city.