Coopering is one of the many traditional crafts demonstrated at Homestead Days.
NPS Photo
Enjoy free shows and craft demonstrations!
Homestead Days 2019 is coming soon! This will be the 40th anniversary of the annual event and we invite you to Homestead National Monument of America on Friday, June 21, 2019 through Sunday, June 23, 2019 to participate in this weekend full of free events!
During each of the three days, traditional craft demonstrators will showcase their skills from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Craft demonstrations include spinning, weaving, quilting, blacksmithing, dutch oven cooking, and much more! This year’s stage presentations will feature music and dance from the various cultures impacted by the Homestead Act. Each of the three days will have a different lineup of performers.
Historic fashion show by Yesterday's Lady.
NPS Photo
This year’s stage presentations will feature music and dance from the various cultures impacted by the Homestead Act. Each of the three days will have a different lineup of performers:
Friday, June 21
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Traditional craft demonstrations 10 a.m. ‘V’ the Cowgirl-interactive children performance 1 p.m. ‘V’ the Cowgirl-interactive children performance 2 p.m. Homestead Era Fashion Show by Yesterday’s Lady
'V' the Cowgirl offeres an interactive musical program for children in which they get to try their hands at playing both classical and homemade instruments. V provides an overview of the instrument's historic origins and leads the group in lively tunes. At 2 p.m. Yesterday's Lady will put on a fashion show featuring clothing from the homesteading-era (1860s-1980s).
Saturday, June 22
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Traditional craft demonstrations and antique farming demonstration 12:00 p.m. Josh Hoyer and Soul Colossal, soul music 1:00 p.m. Omaha International Folk Dancers 2:00 p.m. Singenden Wanderer, German men’s choir 3:00 p.m. Rebekah Roland, pioneer songs 4:00 p.m. Jack Gladstone, Native American music and poetry
Josh Hoyer and Soul Colossal is a five-piece American soul band from Lincoln, Nebraska. The band was named 2018 Artist of the Year by the Omaha Entertainment and Arts awards. Lead singer and keyboardist Josh Hoyer was also a contestant on season 12 of NBC's The Voice. The Omaha International Folk Dancers will perform traditional dances from various countries including Czechoslovakia, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Poland. Singenden Wanderer German Men's Choir will perform traditional songs in both German and English and always gets the crowd involved in the fun. Rebekah Roland is a former Artist-in-Residence at Homestead National Monument of America and writes her own pioneer-inspired folk music. Jack Gladstone is a citizen of the Blackfeet Indian Nation who illustrates Western and Native American culture through music, poetry, and spoken word.
Folk dancers perform during Homestead Days.
NPS Photo
Sunday, June 23
12 p.m. – 5 p.m. Traditional craft demonstrations and antique farming demonstration 1:00 p.m. Jack Gladstone, Native American music and poetry 2:00 p.m. Star City Kochavim, Congregation B’nai Jeshurun 3:00 p.m. Bill Behmer, songs of Ireland 4:00 p.m. Kenny Janak Orchestra, traditional Czech music
Jack Gladstone is a citizen of the Blackfeet Indian Nation who illustrates Western and Native American culture through music, poetry, and spoken word. Star City Kochavim is the house band at Congregation B'nai Jeshurun South Street Temple in Lincoln. Bill Behmer, a Humanities Nebraska Speaker, will perform traditional Irish songs. The Kenny Janak Orchestra will finish out the event with toe-tapping polkas and waltzes.
