Fall Kick-Off Festival Brings Lincoln Together
What Makes Lincoln Special
Seven food vendors, a bigger crowd, and a plaza filled with school spirit. The 2026 Fall Kick-Off Festival was a great night downtown, but what made it memorable went beyond the food and entertainment. It was seeing Lincoln come together.
How cool is it that our city can bring two high schools together and celebrate them both? Lincoln High School and Twelve Bridges High School each have their own colors, traditions, and fans. On September 15 at Beermann Plaza, we cheered for both as one community.
That’s part of what makes Lincoln so special. As our city grows, keeping our small-town connections matters. We still know the people who lead our schools, recognize our council members, and run into neighbors around town. Events like this give us a place to keep those relationships strong and build new ones.
Local Teams, Shared Pride
DLA’s Board Member and Events Committee Chair Dave Enke kicked off the evening by thanking the sponsors and volunteers who helped bring the festival together.
City Council Member Ben Brown spoke about the importance of community support and thanked the Downtown Lincoln Association for creating an event that brings people together. His message reflected what was happening all around the plaza: people showing up for their town and for each other.
The athletic directors introduced the football teams from Lincoln High and Twelve Bridges, while the cheer teams and band entertained the crowd. Families and neighbors gathered to celebrate our students and support the people who guide them.
These moments help shape Lincoln’s identity. They give our young people a community that cheers them on and remind us of the small-town spirit that has long been part of our history.
A Downtown Full of Life
Professor Rock-Ola kept everyone energized with hype music throughout the evening. Families enjoyed face painting provided by Kristie Baker’s Acres, while Hoop Hauler, sponsored by Happy Dog Boarding & Training brought plenty of basketball fun.
Local nonprofit Kids First handed out toys and shared information about its mission to support children and families in our area. Having organizations like Kids First at the festival gave neighbors a chance to learn about the people working to help our community.
And the food drew a crowd of its own! This year’s festival featured seven food vendors, the most we’ve ever had, with more choices to satisfy a growing turnout. The busy lines were a welcome sight. Thank you to everyone who enjoyed a meal or drink and supported the businesses that joined us downtown.
Whether you came to cheer for your school, grab dinner, or spend time with friends, you helped make the plaza feel like a gathering place for all of Lincoln.
Community Happens Because People Step Up
Nights like this take people willing to give their time, make plans, coordinate partners, and do the work. The Downtown Lincoln Association keeps these traditions going with the help of local volunteers who step up. Our board members and DLA members are business owners, neighbors, and community members who care about Lincoln and want to contribute to its future. Be part of that effort and become a DLA member.
Thank you to every volunteer who helped set up, keep the evening running, and clean up after the crowd went home. Your work creates opportunities for the rest of us to come together.
We’re also grateful to our sponsors, vendors, entertainment partners, and participating organizations. Their support makes it possible to bring this kind of event downtown.
A special thank-you to Makin’ It Happen Photography for capturing the wonderful images featured in this article. The smiles and familiar faces tell the story of the evening beautifully.
Growing Together, Remembering Our Roots
The Fall Kick-Off Festival continues a longtime Downtown Lincoln tradition. It connects the town we remember with the city we’re becoming, giving longtime residents and new neighbors a shared experience.
We want to bring it back next year, and community support helps make that possible. Come out to future DLA events, bring a friend, support our local businesses, and consider getting involved.
Lincoln’s small-town feeling lives in the people who show up, lend a hand, and make room for one another. Thank you for being part of it.
