Picnic on the Commons

Join us for a magical evening of re-gathering!

Tri-Faith started with a simple idea: A picnic table to gather around is all we really need for interfaith relationships to flourish. 

On August 1, we’ll meet again in this same spirit, reunited with friends old and new. Gathering again, we’ll embrace our differences and all that we share. 

Please join us to break bread together, give thanks for each other, and to celebrate!

WHAT’S HAPPENING, WHEN

4:00 PM – 5:30 PM – SELF-GUIDED TOURS
Get a warm welcome at the Tri-Faith Center, Temple Israel, Countryside Community Church, American Muslim Institute, and the Tri-Faith Garden and Orchard.

5:30 PM – OPENING FESTIVITIES

• See the unveiling of our new hanging Values Mosaic 
• Join the Children of Abraham sculpture dedication with Dorthy Slattery
• Celebrate the installation of our To-Gather public art picnic tables

5:50 PM – 6:30 PM – SPOKEN WORD PERFORMANCES
Listen to Paula Bell, J.R. Dawson, Tracy Schacht, and Fernando Montejano of the Nebraska Writers Collective explore the theme of To-Gather.

6:30 PM- 8:00 PM – MUSIC WITH INGRID HOWELL

THROUGHOUT THE EVENING

• Enjoy activities for children and families, provided by Omaha Children’s Museum 
• Visit our interactive identity exhibit, You Are Tri-Faith.
• Dine on delicious eats and drinks from your favorite food trucks.
• Stroll the Commons. 

RE-GATHERING HIGHLIGHTS

You Are Tri-Faith: Interactive Identity Project
We encounter differences every day—differences in race, politics, gender, faith, and more. How can we connect across these differences, especially at a time of deep social polarization?

This interactive photo experience on identity gives each of us the opportunity to think about many of the layers — both seen and unseen — that make us who we are. 

To-Gather Picnic Table Unveiling
A public art initiative encouraging conversation about religious diversity and bridging differences, To-Gather invited architects to form multi-disciplinary teams of artists, contractors, and fabricators to conceptualize, design, and build one-of-a-kind picnic tables to be placed throughout the city.

Our first three To-Gather picnic tables will be unveiled during the Picnic on the Commons!

Community Art Projects

• Live Painting – Watch Richard and Rebecca Harrison explore faith, identity, and community through live painting projects
• Local Art – Experience paintings from Joy Cotton and Ilaamen Pelshaw
• Interactive Art Experience – Add your voice to a community art project with Richard and Rebecca Harrison
• Calligraphy Station – Watch Jen Waltemath of Omaha’s Scriptorium Studios create a word wall and get a calligraphy “tattoo”

Children of Abraham sculpture
Created by Charlie Kleiman, Jonathan Hyman, and Meagan Kelleher, this piece represents the artists’ vision and wishes for peace, cooperation, and unity — foundations of our mission at Tri-Faith.

Hanging Values Mosaic
Created by Joslyn’s Kent Bellows Mentoring Program (KBMP), representing the core values of 40 selected youth contributors.

PICNIC VENDORS

Bring your own picnic basket, or discover something new from one of our local food vendors.

Sweet Rice Thai Food Truck
Authentic Thai food made and shared “with joy and peace,” this husband-and-wife business based in Springfield, NE brings many years of restaurant experience to their freshly-crafted menu.

New Orleans Sneaux
Authentic New Orleans-style snowballs! Cool off with shaved ice in a variety of exotic and classic flavors with no preservatives. Not your typical “snow cone,” proudly veteran-owned and -operated.

GrabNGo Drinks & Snacks
This unique truck serving the Omaha area specializes in custom-made American and Asian-style drinks, along with tasty appetizers and entrees. 

Wonton Jon’s
Known for the best breakfast burrito in Omaha! Plus a unique Won menu with something for everyone. Wonton Jon’s reputation is built on creative cuisine and great customer service. 

Anthony Piccolo’s 
Piccolo’s has served Omaha for 83 years. Now, the family-owned food truck brings the robust flavors of Italian cuisine across the city with exclusive menu items for your picnic.

Rain Date: Sunday, August 8 from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM