A pedestrian safety pilot program is planned on Farnham Street between 36th and 40th streets.
As the Blackstone District itself has grown and developed over the past decade, so has Farnham Fest, an annual event that celebrates what the Midtown Omaha area has to offer.
On Saturday, Farnham Street in the heart of the Blackstone area was bustling with vendors and entertainment, including dog contests, adult spelling bees and drag shows.
According to Rachel Bythwood Ayers, event organizer and creative director for the Blackstone area, the festival began more than a decade ago and was initially focused on raising awareness of the redeveloped neighborhood. Right now, it’s all about celebrating Blackstone’s culture.
“It’s grown into a celebration of our community and neighborhood of diversity and all the beauty that’s out there,” said Bythwood Ayers.
Over the past decade, the once faded Blackstone District has transformed into a vibrant area with a wide variety of restaurants and bars.
People are also reading…
Farnham Street was restored to a two-way street between 36th and 42nd Streets in 2014. We believe this has contributed to the revival of the business district by the developers. On Saturday, Farnham was cordoned off between He 39th Street and His 40th Street due to the festival.
The event is scheduled to run until 11pm and Bythwood Ayers said he expects crowds to build before the first drag show in festival history starts at 9pm. Inclusion has always been central to the event.
“This is not a place for hate,” said Byswood Ayers.
Another new addition to this year’s festival was live karaoke by 80’s cover band Secret Weapon.
By 4pm on Saturday, event-goers were browsing vendors, grabbing drinks, and watching adult spelling bee participants try their luck on stage.
Although there were no food vendors on site at the festival, many event-goers stopped by nearby restaurants for refreshments.
Karen Roy of Karen’s Kreations was at an event selling upcycled creations, including recycled glassware candles and handmade jewelry. She said she was grateful that Roy had a variety of on-stage activities planned to keep the event exciting.
“So far, I really like the crowd,” she said.
Michael Principe moved to Blackstone about a year ago and says he really enjoys the area. He said he appreciates how the event demonstrates what the area has to offer to the community.
“It’s cool for everyone to get together,” he said.
Photo: Omaha’s Blackstone neighborhood over the years
Looking straight east on Farnam St. from the Blackstone Hotel and Farnam St. on November 22, 36, 1915. This is the “Gold Coast” area known for its luxury homes. Far away is the downtown area. The air is clouded with smoke. Streetcars run on Farnham Street, and there is a lot of car traffic in the area.
Bostwick Frohardt/KM3TV Collection Durham Museum Photo Archive
The Blackstone Hotel at 36th & Farnam on November 30, 1927.
Louis R. Bostwick Collection
The Blackstone Hotel at 36th & Farnam on 29th August 1929.
Louis R. Bostwick Collection
A 1935 shot of the 301 S. 38th St. building purchased by Dundee Bank.
Nebraska State Historical Society
The ballroom at the Blackstone Hotel, photographed in March 1939. A piano was placed in the back.
Durham Museum Photo Archive
General Dwight D. Eisenhower (left) and California Senator Richard Nixon (1952) enjoy a good laugh while posing at Chicago’s Blackstone Hotel on July 12, 1952. For photographers.
Related press
On October 20, 1953, Mr. and Mrs. Marlon Brando had lunch with Mrs. Herbert Davis at the Blackstone Hotel. From left: Mrs. Herbert Davis, Mrs. Marlon Brando, Marlon Brando Jr., Marlon Brando.
Robert Paskach, World Herald
The former Colonial Hotel, seen here in an undated photo, has been converted into 40 luxury apartments and a ground floor pub.
Bostwick Frohardt/KM3TV Collection Durham Museum Photo Archive
Senator John Kennedy and Mrs. Kennedy celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary in 1958 at Omaha’s Blackstone Hotel. The senator was in town to speak at the conference.
John Savage, World Herald
The Blackstone building entrance structure was added in 1961.
world herald
Edward T. Schimmel (left) and Mrs. Schimmel (right) welcome Queen Ak Sir Ben Suzanne Falk and King V.J.
Omaha World Herald
Gale Sayers, Pat Fisher, and Jimmy Brown attend the Rotary Club of West Omaha luncheon on April 16, 1965, at the Omaha Blackstone Hotel.
Omaha World Herald
Richard M. Nixon announced his candidacy for president at a press conference at the Blackstone Hotel on December 14, 1967.
Omaha World Herald
Liquidation specialist Cindy Brixey priced the old furniture of the Blackstone Hotel prior to its December 9, 1982 liquidation sale. The contents of the building have been sold to free up space to convert eight floors into office her space.
Ed Russ/The World Herald
The Plasterer Lloyd Institute worked in the former ballroom of the Blackstone Hotel during the conversion of the Blackstone building into office space in 1983.
world herald
The open house was held in the ballroom of the former Blackstone Hotel to showcase renovations that transform the space into office space. The new owners of the Blackstone Building hoped to attract potential tenants at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on February 17, 1984.
Robert Taylor/The World Herald
Building owners Frank Kulig (left) and Frank Krejci (right) enter the renovated lobby of the former Blackstone Hotel in February 1984. The historic touch of the building. “It’s a kind of homely atmosphere, combined with a certain elegance,” Craig said.
Rudy Smith/The World Herald
In 1993, Bozell’s offices were located on the eighth floor of the former Blackstone Hotel. Receptionist Anita His Boutella desk was just outside where the hotel ballroom used to be.
Robert Pascacci/The World Herald
Bozel employees Heidi Weekend and Mark Hughes take in the view from the rooftop of the Blackstone Hotel building on October 26, 1993.
Robert Pascacci/The World Herald
On March 15, 2013, workers discovered tiled floors in part of Blackstone Place, a storefront block on the northeast corner of 40th Street and Farnham.
Rebecca S. Glatz, World Herald
On March 15, 2013, an old advertisement for carnation milk and butternut coffee was discovered during the renovation of Blackstone Place.
Rebecca S. Glatz, World Herald
Many construction and new business signs line between 39th and 40th Farnham Street on July 16, 2014. Sullivan’s, a longtime tenant on this block, recently opened across the street on a large bay.
Matt Miller, World Herald
While dining at Moolah, Zach Salem and Kayla Pottebaum recall what their 40th and Farnham Street neighborhood looked like on July 16, 2014.
Matt Miller, World Herald
A view of Farnam Street from the second floor of 3814 Farnam St. on October 27, 2015. GreenSlate Development is expanding its footprint in the Blackstone entertainment district as he prepares to purchase four properties for renovation.
RYAN SODERLIN, World Herald
Blackstone Station Apartments at 3824 Farnham Street on October 10, 2016.
RYAN SODERLIN, World Herald
38th Street and Farnham’s Colonial Hotel before renovations taken on July 18, 2017
Sarah Hoffman, World Herald
Cars line the streets of Farnham Street, looking east from 40th Street in the Blackstone neighborhood on October 6, 2017.
Chris Masian, World Herald
The Reuben at Crescent Moon is the closest geographical location to the historic Blackstone Hotel where the sandwich was made.
Kent Seavers, World Herald
A monogrammed rotten iron fence surrounds the upper floor balconies of the historic former Blackstone Hotel on the corner of 36th and Farnham Streets, July 3, 2018.
Rebecca S. Gratz, Heral of the World
The marble staircase is one of the few remaining historic elements in the historic Old Blackstone Hotel in July 2018.
Rebecca S. Glatz, World Herald
A row of Farnham shops including Early Bird in March 2019.
Rebecca S. Glatz, World Herald
The rooftop terrace offers views of downtown Omaha from the historic former Blackstone Hotel on the corner of 36th Street and Farnham Street in March 2019.
Rebecca S. Gratz/The World Herald
The interior of the _Forno_ restaurant in Blackstone in July 2019.
Brendan Sullivan, World Herald
Construction of the Blackstone Hotel will continue on October 29, 2019.
Kayla Wolf/The World Herald
Blackstone Carriage Stone near the intersection of South 38th Street and Dewey Avenue in the Gold Coast neighborhood of Omaha on November 5, 2019.
Brendan Sullivan, World Herald
The entrance to the Blackstone Corner apartments at 3618 Farnam St. taken December 12, 2019.
Chris Masian, World Herald
Double Cheeseburger at Nite Owl in Omaha on April 1, 2020.
Anna Reid, World Herald
The Cottonwood Hotel in the Blackstone District on November 12, 2020.
Anna Reed/The World Herald
.
Comments
Post a Comment