Event Listings for Fall/Winter 2009
August-Oct. 31
“Dino Quest” at Fontenelle Forest Nature Center, 1111 N. Bellevue Blvd., Bellevue. A forest adventure unlike any other presents realistic dinosaurs ranging from 6 inches to 32 feet tall. While you’re here, explore Acorn Acres, an outdoor playscape with a treehouse, butterfl y garden, dragonfl y pond. Indoor exhibits, too. Admission. 731-3140; www.fontenelleforest.org
Sept. 19-Oct. 31
Scary Acres, 17272 Giles Road. Halloween attraction. Fright zone includes an all-new House on the Hill, bonfire, Master’s Castle and corn maze. Hours: 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays; 6:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Admission. www.scaryacres.com
Sept. 25-Oct. 31
Haunted Hollow, 120th Street and Giles Road in La Vista. Halloween theme; many attractions for one price. Information line: 402-896-1920.
Sept. 26-Nov. 1
Ranch of Terror at the Bellevue Berry & Pumpkin Ranch, 11001 S. 48th St., Bellevue. Haunted hayrack ride, ghost town walk, haunted house, harvest barn. Closed Mondays except for private parties; live scares Friday-Sunday nights. Admission: $8. Hours: 331-5500; www.ranchofterror.com
Oct. 2-4
Fall Home and Garden Expo at Qwest Center Omaha, 455 N. 10th St. Seasonal ideas for home and garden. Hours: Friday, 5 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission: $7, adults; $3.50, children ages 12 and younger; free for children under age 5. 346-8003; www.showoffi ceonline.com
Oct. 4
Free Acoustic Sundays featuring Mitch Armstrong at Soaring Wings Vineyard, 17111 S. 138th St., Springfield. Hours: 2 to 5 p.m. www.soaringwingswine.com
Oct. 10
Girls Day Out at Shadow Lake Towne Center, 7775 Olson Drive, Papillion. Fashion show, healthy snacks, demonstrations, health screenings and prizes. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 537-0046; www.shadowlakeshopping.com
Ak-Sar-Ben Coronation Ball at Qwest Center Omaha, 455 N. 10th St. The annual dinner and pageant salutes community volunteerism and philanthropy and raises money for scholarships for Nebraska and western Iowa youth. General admission, $25, does not include dinner. 554-9600, ext. 106; www.aksarben.org
Oct. 10-11
Midlands Pirate Festival at the Bellevue Berry & Pumpkin Ranch, 11001 S. 48th St., Bellevue. Hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. www.midlandspiratefest.com
Oct. 11
Free Acoustic Sundays featuring Tim Koehn at Soaring Wings Vineyard, 17111 S. 138th St. in Springfield. Hours: 2 to 5 p.m. www.soaringwingswine.com
Oct. 18
Haunted in the Bluffs, downtown Council Bluffs. The Omaha Organization for the Purpose of Storytelling presents haunted tales at the Historic General Dodge House, Squirrel Cage Jail, Union Pacifi c Railroad Museum and Bayliss Park. Free. 501-3841.
Free Acoustic Sundays featuring Stephen Monroe at Soaring Wings Vineyard, 17111 S. 138th St. in Springfield. Hours: 2 to 5 p.m. www.soaringwingswine.com
Oct. 25
Free Acoustic Sundays featuring Chris Saub at Soaring Wings Vineyard, 17111 S. 138th St. in Springfield. Hours: 2 to 5 p.m. www.soaringwingswine.com
Spooktacular at Henry Doorly Zoo, 3701 S. 10th St. This is one wild Halloween event for kids. Enjoy 20 treat stations from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 733-8401; www.omahazoo.com
Nov. 1
Free Acoustic Sundays featuring Scott Severin at Soaring Wings Vineyard, 17111 S. 138th St. in Springfield. Hours: 2 to 5 p.m. www.soaringwingswine.com
Nov. 7
Veteran’s Day Parade, Mission Avenue in Bellevue. Tenth annual tribute to U.S. military branches and veterans. Air Force fl yover marks the beginning of the 10 a.m. parade. Mission Avenue in Olde Towne Bellevue. 898-3000; www.BellevueNebraska.com
Nov. 8
Free Acoustic Sundays featuring John Stokely at Soaring Wings Vineyard, 17111 S. 138th St. in Springfield. Hours: 2 to 5 p.m. www.soaringwingswine.com
Nov. 15
Free Acoustic Sundays featuring Mitch Armstrong at Soaring Wings Vineyard, 17111 S. 138th St. in Springfield. Hours: 2 to 5 p.m. www.soaringwingswine.com
Nov. 20-Dec. 23
“A Christmas Carol” at Omaha Community Playhouse, 6915 Cass St. The Charles Dickens classic is a community favorite. Reservations: 553-0800;
www.omahaplayhouse.com
Nov. 21
Omaha Chorus of Sweet Adelines International presents: “If the Glass Shoe Fits…” 2009 Fall Show: a mixture of Magic, Mayhem, Madness, and Music. Also featuring, “Tonehenge”, men’s comedy quartet. Saturday, November 21, 2009, 7 p. m. at Papillion-LaVista High School 84th and Centennial Streets, Papillion. Tickets: $10 donation at the door or call in advance: 402-733-5455
Nov. 22
Free Acoustic Sundays featuring Tim Koehn at Soaring Wings Vineyard, 17111 S. 138th St. in Springfield. Hours: 2 to 5 p.m. www.soaringwingswine.com
Nov. 26-Jan. 10
Holiday Lights Festival, vicinity of 14th and Douglas Streets in downtown Omaha. Lighting ceremony Thanksgiving evening. Sounds of the Season live music Saturdays, Nov. 28 through Dec. 19. 345-5401; www.holidaylightsfestival.org
Nov. 27
Winter Wonderland Lighting Ceremony, downtown Papillion. Community kickoff to the holiday season with a tree-lighting ceremony at 6 p.m., carriage rides, carolers, crafts, bonfi re, Santa visits, refreshments. City Hall, 122 E. Third St. 331-3917; www.papillionfoundation.org
Nov. 27-Jan. 3
Christmas at Union Station at the Durham Museum, 801 S. 10th St. A holiday tradition featuring Omaha’s largest indoor Christmas tree. Events include live music and family activities. Tree-lighting ceremony. Museum admission applies: Adults, $7; seniors, $6, children ages 3-12, $5; free for members
and children 2 and younger. 444-5071; www.durhammuseum.org
Nov. 28-Jan. 4
Holiday Poinsettia Show at Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St. More than 5,600 poinsettia plants, cultivated in greenhouses on the premises, grace the grand hall in a very special holiday display. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Free to members; regular admission for nonmembers. 346-4002.
Nov. 29
Free Acoustic Sundays featuring Stephen Monroe at Soaring Wings Vineyard, 17111 S. 138th St. in Springfield. Hours: 2 to 5 p.m.
www.soaringwingswine.com
Dec. 1-4
Madrigal Christmasse Feaste, Omaha Marriott Hotel, 10220 Regency Circle. Renaissance-era holiday event with period costumes, Lord and Lady of the House, jester, wench, court singers. Warming hour and meal included in ticket price. Staged by Ibsen Costume Gallery. 556-1400; www.ibsencostumes.com
Dec. 3-6
“The Imperial Nutcracker” at the Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St. A holiday classic presented by the Omaha Theater Ballet. Showtimes: Dec. 3 and Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 5, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 6, 2 p.m. Ticket Omaha: 345-0606; www.omahaperformingarts.org
Dec. 5
Olde German Christmas, 520 Lincoln St. in Papillion. Candlelight luncheon, oral and silent auctions, raffl e, door prizes and entertainment. 331-3917; www.papillionfoundation.org
Dec. 6
Free Acoustic Sundays featuring George Walker at Soaring Wings Vineyard, 17111 S. 138th St. in Springfield. Hours: 2 to 5 p.m. www.soaringwingswine.com
Dec. 11 and 13
Christmas at the Cathedral at St. Cecilia Cathedral, 701 N. 40th St. The Omaha Symphony Chamber Orchestra and the Omaha Symphonic Chorus present carols and original works. Showtimes: Dec. 11, 8 p.m. and Dec. 13, 2 p.m. Tickets: $25; $15 general admission. 398-1766; www.omahasymphonicchorus.org
Dec. 13
Free Acoustic Sundays featuring Mark Irvin at Soaring Wings Vineyard, 17111 S. 138th St. in Springfield. Hours: 2 to 5 p.m. www.soaringwingswine.com
Dec. 20
Free Acoustic Sundays featuring Chris Saub at Soaring Wings Vineyard, 17111 S. 138th St. in Springfield. Hours: 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. www.soaringwingswine.com
Dec. 27
Free Acoustic Sundays featuring John Stokely at Soaring Wings Vineyard, 17111 S. 138th St. in Springfield. Hours: 2 to 5 p.m. www.soaringwingswine.com
Dec. 31
Holiday Lights Festival Fireworks at Gene Leahy Mall, 14th and Farnam Streets. Great viewing anywhere along the downtown Omaha riverfront. 345-5401;
www.holidaylightsfestival.org
Dec. 31
First Night marks the arrival of the New Year with an arts-based community celebration in downtown Council Bluffs. Events run from 6 p.m. to midnight. Button admission for all activities. 712-328-4650; wwwfi rstnightcouncilbluffs.org