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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (June 18, 1987)
Thursday, June 18, 1987 Daily Nebraskan Page 3 Editor's Note: The Flatwater Festival brought approximately 60,000 people to down town Lincoln last year, including many from Omaha and surrounding areas. Although no statistics are avail able, the festival significantly stim ulated the economy as well as offering a fun-filled weekend. Carol Jess, former executive director of the Downtown Lincoln Association, said "it's important to have these events downtown" in order to familiarize people with what Lincoln has to offer. The same is true with hundreds of small Nebraska towns offering festi vals this summer. Ethnic festivals provide an excellent chance to see what kind of people made Nebraska what it is. Swedish festivals, Czech festivals, and Mexican fiestas are some examples. Small town festivals also celebrate their livelihoods like the Chappell Wheatking Festival. They also memorialize their heritage, for example, the Chadron Fur Trade Days and the Litchfield Old Settlers Picnic. Although this issue of the Daily Nebraskan focuses on the Flatwater Festival we encourage you to hit the road and explore small town Nebraska. w 7 H vNebrosko Reoertorv Theatre rvZf 12 R Streets - 1st Floor Js3 JK V Ptione: V2-2073,m-f . !2-8un lit University of Nbrki Lincoln Join us for afternoons of fun and sun all summer long! 25 cent burgers and hot dogs 4-7 PM Heated swimming pool Hot tub Free munchies 1-7 PM Video games Pool tables Big screen TV THE ROYAL GROVE Lincoln's Entertainment Oasis 340 W. Cornhusker 477-2026 Sorry, No Minors Flatwater Festival expected to repeat success By Chris McCubbin Staff Reporter Last year's Flatwater Festival was a daring experiment, but it was so successful that it's already a Lincoln tradition. The Flatwater Festival is a direct descendant of the "Lincolnfest" cele bration, said Vic Gutman, executive director of the festival. While Lincoln fest was strictly a local event designed to promote downtown business, the Flatwater Festival is designed for every body in the Lincoln area, Gutman said. This change in scope is indicated by the change in name "Flatwater" is a loose translation of the Indian word "Nebraska." Gutman said there was "no question" that the changes made worked for last year's festival. Although no exact statistics are available, Gutman esti mated that as many as 60,000 people attended last year's festival. The festi val was advertised all over the state. Although no attendance records of non Lincoln residents are available, Gutman said that there was significant atten dance from Omaha and outlaying com munities within at least a 50 to 75 mile radius of Lincoln. Gutman said there were no major problems last year. One of the main stage bands canceled, but a replace ment was found in time. The main stage was located next to the then-brand-new Lied Center excavation. Gutman said that the festival attract ed a "comfortable crowd," and that no complaints were received about crowds, traffic or parking. Lt. Albert Maxey, of the Lincoln Police Department, said that last year's festival required no extra policemen and that there was no reported trouble. The police treat the festival "just like a busy day downtown," Maxey said. Carol Jess, who was executive dir ector of the Downtown Lincoln Associa tion at the time of last year's festival, said that the Flatwater Festival is a "celebration of life in Lincoln" and not specifically a downtown promotion. But, she said, it's also "a mechanism to bring people to Lincoln," she said. Jess called the festival "a modest success" at bringing outof towners to downtown businesses. "It's important to have these events downtown" in order to familiarize peo ple with what Lincoln has to offer, Jess said. Mansour "George" Kholousi, owner of George's Greek Gyros restaurant, sold his wares at last year's festival. He said is food was well received. "Usually people come to places that are a little unique," Kholousi said, "and people saw all these weird names like 'baklava'." He said the coupons George's handed out at the festival improved business at his regular restaurants. He said he is looking forward to having a booth at this year's festival. Z I i I I if J y I XC t f II Sav2 throughout the stord vjTN Those Great Fashions We're Known For . . S At Great Sale Prices!! MC f HOURS: r i" t IS LJKb ISJUULS Mon.-Sat 10-6 Thursday 10-9 Sunday 12-5 .Bankcards Welcome Downtown at 144 No. 14th-Lincoln Layaways Welcome
