October 3rd First Friday

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!