✨ Benson First Friday: 2nd Annual Handmade Parade ✨
🗓️ October 2 | 📍 Benson Creative District

Make something, wear something creative and join us for a night of art, music and beautiful chaos as the Handmade Parade returns to Benson! 🎨✨

Festivities begin at 6 PM

Parade begins at 6:30 PM @ Rosehill Elementary
Ends at Petshop with music to follow

The 2nd Annual Handmade Parade returns with giant puppets, handmade costumes, cardboard creations and plenty of beautiful chaos.

• Parade route: Along the alleyway south of Maple Street

• Live music: Wrinkles in Time, Omaha Girls Rock!, TWBIE and MIDUSA

• Skateboarding: The Bay

• Art: Inclusive art market fundraiser for Maggie Pop’nz

• Food: Cheeseburger Paradise and Heavenly Body Bakery

Presented by Giant Joy Collective and BFF Omaha.

Thank you to Handmade Parade sponsors FiberFirst, Cobalt Credit Union, Big Grove for Good Foundation and Thermal King.

✨ Benson First Friday is brought to you by BFF Omaha ✨

The mission of BFF Omaha is to build community through arts engagement in the Benson Creative District and beyond! Become a Friend of BFF today and get exclusive PERKS every First Friday! Support BFF Omaha and become a Friend at bffomaha.org/friend

✨ Openings in the BCD Galleries ✨

PETSHOP | 2725 - 2729 N. 62nd St. | October 2 | 6:00 - 10:00 | @petshopgallery

Contradictions in Practice

A series of works defined by unresolved relationships. Ordinary paintings sit beside pieces that drift into the strange and unexpected. Styles clash, marks interrupt, and visual systems scatter. The pieces coexist through contrast, each holding its own visual logic.

Also on display:

SORT OUT

BFF Gallery | 5901 Maple St. | October 2 | 6:00 - 10:00 |  @thebffgallery

PARROQUIA

Parroquia is a show revolving around love , devotion , and heartache. This body of work channels agony, upheaval, and the grief of losing lovers.

MaMO | 2725 N. 62nd St. | October 2 | 6:00 - 10:00 | @bffmamo

Conversion

Exploring interconnected creative reuse through farming, flowers and waste.

Ming Toy | 6066 Maple St. | October 2 | 6:00 - 10:00 | @mingtoygallery

Chance Encounters

Ming Toy Gallery is pleased to present new work by Bonnie O’Connell during the month of October. “Chance Encounters…Assemblage, Collage and Mixed Media Works” will be on display Oct. 2-31. The opening reception is Friday, Oct. 2, from 6:00 to 9:00pm at 6066 Maple Street in downtown Benson.

Opening in the little gallery

Raison d’Etre

Maple St. Construct | 5912 Maple St. | October 2 | 6:00 - 9:00 | @maple_st_construct

YELLOW

a solo art exhibition by Dan Crane.

💛 FRIEND OF BFF PERKS

Become a Friend of BFF and enjoy PERKS every First Friday!

• Alley Cat Vintage: 20% off purchase

• Benson Brewery: Half off draft beer

• Beercade: $1 off all drinks

• Burke’s Pub: Buy one apple pie shot, get another for a penny (3-6 PM)

• Burrito Envy: Free cinnamon crisp with purchase

• Central Skate Shop: 10% Off Purchase

• Edge of the Universe: Free cookie with drink purchase

• Jake's Cigars: Half off sangria on tap

• Kai Tei: Buy one get one sake

• Snowy Sundaes: $1 off any drink

• St. Andrew’s: $1 off tap beers until 7. $1 off Sangria all night

• Star Deli: 10% off purchase

• Ted & Wally's: Free scoop of ice cream

• The Sydney: $1 off all drinks

Become a Friend of BFF HERE!

✨ THANK YOU TO OUR AUGUST FIRST FRIDAY SPONSORS ✨

❤️ Mutual of Omaha
🧡 Ted & Wally’s Ultra-Premium Ice Cream
💛 FiberFirst Internet
💚 Cobalt Credit Union
💙 Big Grove for Good Foundation
💜 Thermal King Windows

Friend of BFF Business Members:
11Eleven • Access Period • Alley Cat Vintage • ASL Interpreting Services • Benson Brewery • Benson Theatre • Blue Line Coffee • Central Skate Shop • Dahlia House • Edge of the Universe • Gregg Grossman, Inc. • Heather Tedesco, Realtor • Jake’s Cigars • Legend Comics & Coffee • Maple St. Construct • Maven Social • Metropolitan Community College • Ming Toy Gallery • Nebraska AIDS Project • Omaha Roller Derby • Removery • SET the Bar • Shipment Vintage / Floors, Floors, Floors • Shop Five Nine + Ceremony • Slowdown • Snowy Sundaes • Star Deli • Taco Co. • The Bay • The Sydney

💚 Made possible with support from the Nebraska Arts Council and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment

Proudly produced by BFF Omaha and rooted in the Benson Creative District