Top Ten Things to Do in Columbus This Summer
Summer is a great time in Columbus, Nebraska. Here are some of our favorite events and attractions to enjoy this summer.
1. Columbus Days
The area’s Biggest Block Party and our community’s signature summer festival, this weekend-long event is fun for the whole family! Favorite events include: BBQ vendors, beer garden, live music, activity booths, kids activities, talent show, rib eating contest, duck race, and of course the parade on Sunday!
August 16th-19th 2018 (third weekend in August annually)
2. Red, White, KaBoom!
Red, White KaBoom! is another event put on by the Chamber and is the area’s biggest Independence Day celebration. The event includes live music, kids activities and of course a huge firework show at dusk!
July 3rd (annually)
3. Platte County Fair
The summer wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the County Fair, and the Platte County Fair is one of the best around! This year’s activities include 4-H exhibits, a carnival, professional wrestling on Thursday night, Nebraska Bush Pullers tractor pull on Friday evening, and a full line up of heavy-metal artist concerts on Saturday night!
July 11-15, 2018
4. Downtown Runaround
The Columbus Downtown Runaround has been a staple road race in Columbus, Nebraska for over 30 years and includes both a 2.1 mile fun run and certified 5 mile race. After the race, participants enjoy pizza and beer at Glur’s Tavern!
July 21, 2018
5. Live Thoroughbred Horse Racing
The area’s only live horse racing is something you won’t want to miss. Come out during the summer and enjoy the thrill of the ponies racing while sipping on a nice cold beverage in the grandstands at Ag Park.
August 3rd, Saturdays & Sundays through Labor Day
6. Pawnee Plunge
The Pawnee Plunge is one of the only water parks in Nebraska — featuring multiple water slides, a Lazy River, toddler Pirate Ship play area, swimming pool and recently-added, the state’s only FlowRider where you can practice your surfing! The Pawnee Plunge draws visitors from across the Midwest.
Opening Day: May 26, open daily 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
7. Lawn Chairs on the Square
Individuals of all ages will enjoy Lawn Chairs on the Square, a weekly free outdoor concert series put on by the Downtown Business Association. As the name implies, attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chair or blanket and enjoy the wonderful combination of music and the outdoors!
Thursday evenings at 7:00 p.m. in the Frankfurt Square bandshell (14th Street and 26th Avenue) from mid-June through Columbus Days
8. Farmer’s Market
Fresh produce, homemade jams and jellies, and handmade decor items are just some of the items you can find at the Columbus Downtown Farmer’s Market in Frankfurt Square (14th Street and 26th Avenue).
May 5, 2018 until October 27, 2018, from 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon
9. Platte County Museum
Discover and uncover Columbus’s fascinating history at the Platte County Museum and Historical Society this summer. The museum features a number of interesting displays including an 1857 Gottschalk Log Cabin, Authentic Turn-of-the-Century Barber Shop, fossils, Indian stone tools, artifacts and photographs of early Platte County and much more!
Summer opening: May 19, 2018; open Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
10. Nebraska Passport Tour
Explore many different gems across our great state by participating in the Nebraska Tourism’s Passport Program. Our favorite stop this year of course is our own local decor store, Urban Farm Boutique, a brand-new shop in Downtown Columbus featuring a wide variety of locally-made products that would even make Joanna Gaines envious!
Official passport stamp program runs May 1 to September 30, 2018
Will you be visiting any of this summer events/attractions? Let us know in the comments!
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