Downtown Lincoln: A great time and great place to meet up with friends and families

[September 01, 2022]   This year's Balloons Over 66 event was just perfect. Activities of all sorts took place all over town from Friday evening through Saturday evening.

Streets surrounding the Historic Courthouse Square were blocked off and downtown Lincoln was filled with an abundance of opportunities in foods and refreshments, live music, fun activities, dog contest entertainment and shopping.

Dock Dogs offered great family entertainment as dogs competed to be the best at various aspects of retrieval. The dogs ran off a long platform and leaped into a large pool of water. Crowds watched sitting in lawn chairs, picnic tables and on blankets from the courthouse hillside. The energetic and excited dogs are fun and an inspiration to watch.

The Lincoln Arts Institute coordinated an Art Show surrounding the McLean/Broadway corner featuring unique offerings.

Kitty corner the other side of the courthouse a main stage featured a variety of bands. Big Sun's performance on Friday evening put smiles on faces as a large crowd relaxed and visited following delicious suppers bought off food trucks and from local eateries. And the musical pleasures on the big stage continued on Saturday afternoon into the evening as well, and there was a singer entertaining at the Limerick Brewing Company street garden.

For some good wholesome fun, Open Arms Fellowship helped to create memorable times for kids and families.

On Friday evening kids enjoyed a variety of old-fashioned fun that included water guns and potato sack races.

On Saturday there was a wheel spoke of put-put golf courses set up surrounding the Latham Park band shelter. Families could test their skills at random and laugh together.



There were also inflatable's and games of skill just for the kids, and face painting for all ages.

Open Arms also coordinated a 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament in the morning on north McLane Street adjacent to Latham Park.

The Balloons Over 66 5K had 45 runners signed up and the cool morning was a great beginning to the day.

LCHS Cheerleaders were on the spot nearing the finish line to encourage each runner.



The Lincoln Park District coordinated the event and each participant was handed a specially designed balloon medallion on a coordinating checkered neck ribbon at the finish line in Scully Park.
 

A stroll through the Backyard Barbecue territory set mouths to watering smelling the flavorful smoke aroma and watching competitors prepare their entries. Some friendly bantering and chiding takes place between rivals, but they'll stop and include a visitor.

Also, downtown on the Square, a Classic Car Show on Broadway Street offered some finely restored beauties.

The warm days were leisurely, the evenings were fantastic for enjoying delicious food and entertainments. Between the balloon launches and glows, downtown events and all around town activities, Lincoln was the place to be during the 2022 Balloons Over 66.

[Jan Youngquist]