The following events, programs, and activities are the result of partnerships and volunteer efforts in the Gifford Park neighborhood. Most are open and free to anyone inside or outside our neighborhood.

Neighborhood Clean-Ups

Each spring and fall neighbors can drop off bulky items, furniture, appliances, metal, etc. at no charge at neighborhood cleanups usually held on one Saturday in Spring and another in Fall at the Duchesne Academy parking lot at 36th & California Street. Neighborhood volunteers monitor the site and help with hauling for neighbors needing assistance with priority given to Gifford Park Neighborhood Association members. In addition, there are other drop-off sites for tires (without rims), appliances, and yard waste. For more information on allowed materials, visit Wasteline Omaha

Easter Egg Hunt | Spring

Since 1990 the annual Easter egg hunt is held on Saturday the day before Easter Sunday in Gifford Park for neighborhood children. Volunteers and the Easter bunny give out candy and prizes to children ages 12 and under. Every year we also give out dental care bags! Volunteers pick up litter in the park before the event. There are many volunteers and generous donations from a variety of neighbors and local businesses that make this event happen.

Community Garden Kick-Off Party | May

Join us to kick off the new garden season on 35th and Cass! Learn more about the Youth Garden program, Adventure Playground and the community garden. Enjoy face-painting, music, digging, plants and refreshments. Take home free books, free seeds, and a Mother’s Day take home project (while supplies last). And meet our chickens!

Pooches in the Park – Midtown

Bring your dog for a fun spring afternoon featuring a pet photographer, treats, and an expert trainer from Dog Gone Problems available to answer your training questions. For every guest who attends, a donation will be made to the Nebraska Humane Society. Free and open to the community — leashed dogs welcome.

33rd Friday Block Party | August

The 33rd Friday Block Party is a free annual event held on the 33rd Friday of the year in the Gifford Park Neighborhood business district where 33rd Street is blocked off from California to Cass Street for the festivities. Everyone is welcome to enjoy live music & dancing, cultural performances, kids activities, facepainting, hands-on art, street games, tennis, pickleball, basketball, skateboarding, neighborhood market, classic cars, cotton candy, food trucks and much more!

Porchfest | October

Hosted in the Gifford Park neighborhood for the past 9 years on the first Sunday in October, Porchfest is a free community festival with over 80 performances that take place on 14 stages, including Omaha Mobile Stage at Yates Illuminates, the neighborhood market stage, seven more music porches, an open mic porch, a poetry porch, a comedy porch and an art porch. It’s a family-friendly event which includes face painting, chalk painting, art displays, games, food trucks, pedicab rides and more.

Halloween Party | October

Since 1997 the annual free Halloween Party is held within a week of Halloween at the Gifford Park playground area. Neighborhood volunteers and the Creighton Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and Delta Zeta Sorority help supervise activity stations including pumpkin painting, musical chairs, scary decorations, treasure hunt in the playground sand, ring toss, face painting, bowling, mummy wrap, dart board, roast marshmallows & s’mores over a firepit, and treats under the park
shelter. It’s great to see families enjoy the festivities, and many kids dress up in their Halloween costumes!

GPNA Membership Dinner | January

Gifford Park Neighborhood Association (GPNA) hosts an annual dinner in early January at Yates Illuminates for current GPNA members. The dinner is an opportunity for neighbors to join or renew their membership and celebrate the past year’s neighborhood events, programs, and activities. We have a rolling slideshow and short program highlighting the many volunteer efforts.