Lincoln in the context of summer
What your college town will be up to while you’re gone
As we’re all enthusiastically aware, this school year is coming to a close. While our eyes are glued to computer screens, hands tied to keyboards, legs trapped under desks — our minds are somewhere else entirely. Where? That depends on the individual. Some minds are home, enjoying time with friends and family. Some are at summer camp, realizing they’d like to wait a good while before having kids. Still others are on tropical vacation somewhere, sipping iced drinks while sunbathing on a beach. The promise of summer break gives us the drive to finish strong but has perhaps prevented us from stopping to wonder how our college town spends summer break. Here’s what you’ll miss.
Probably surprising to most is the fact that Lincoln has its very own water park that’s just an 8 minute drive from Union College. What is probably more surprising is that it’s not too shabby and very popular among Lincoln residents. For only $6.25, one can enjoy waterslides, fountains, diving boards, and water sports for a whole day at Star City Shores. It closes for the winter in mid August, but not before opening its doors to Lincoln’s furry friends for a day. In 2022, over 300 pups and their owners took a dip, raising over $3,000 dollars to be donated to the greater Lincoln Obedience Club and Lincoln Parks and Recreation.
Party in the Parks is a cluster of events held across parks in Lincoln. For example, Stransky Park Summer Concert Series happens during June and July and features artists from across Nebraska and local food vendors. No entrance fee is imposed, but performers are supported through audience tips. The most popular music event is the Lincoln Municipal Band summer concert series, hosted at Antelope Park on Sunday evenings. It consistently draws crowds of over 1,500 citizens and has been running since 1911! Another popular Party in the Parks series is Movies in the Parks. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets to watch these free family-friendly showings on an outdoor screen. Other Party in the Parks events to check out include Theatre in the Parks, Uncle Sam Jam, Streets Alive and Art in the Garden.
The Lincoln Children’s Zoo provides a dose of exotic wildlife to the Lincoln area. It’s home to over 400 animals, including over 40 endangered species. Predictably, the zoo comes alive in the summer months, when weather permits outdoor exhibits. Exclusively during the summer, visitors can purchase small bunches of lettuce and feed giraffes from atop an observation deck. What’s better than dinner FOR giraffes? Dinner WITH Giraffes! On July 26 and 27, ticket holders will experience dinner atop this observation deck, giraffe feedings and private access to other exhibits.
These are just a few examples of Lincoln happenings for the summer. To find out more, check out the City of Lincoln website. Your college town may not be as captivating as your summer daydreams, but don’t underestimate its entertainment and social programming. A summer in Lincoln may just fly by.
By: Sidney Needles