Join in on the fun at Kool-Aid Days 2023 - August 18-20 at the Hastings Fairgrounds

We are excited to announce our 2023 theme for the festival is Kool-Aid Days is 25 Flavors for 25 Years!

Join in on the fun and be a part of our events all weekend long! Show off your float in the Downtown Parade, become a food vendor at the main event or even sign up to run (or walk) the 5K Fun Run - we’ve got fun for every organization and member of the family!

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

FRIDAY - AUGUST 18TH, 2023

Hastings Museum Family Fun

Open 9 am - 8 pm 

Museum admission is just $5 per person during Kool-Aid Days and that includes admission to our planetarium shows! . Separate, special $5 admission required for the super screen theatre. Movies and showtimes available at HastingsMuseum.org or 402-461-2399.

Senior Fest: For 55+ Kids at Heart

2 pm - 4 pm  - Fairgrounds

This event is geared toward our more experienced Kool-Aid drinkers. We’ll have BINGO, Eileen’s cookies and a smaller version of the World’s Largest Kool-Aid Stand. You may even win a prize or two!

KLUB Kool-Aid Sneak Peek

5:30 - 7:00 pm - Fairgrounds

Members are invited to this Sneak Preview Event - beat the crowds and see the Kool-Aid Man,  enjoy a BBQ pork dinner and a sneak peak of the brochure for the weekend's festivities and opening night of the Oregon Trail Rodeo (tickets may be purchased at the gate).

Learn more

SATURDAY AUGUST 19TH, 2023

The Kool-Aid Days Trolley

11 am - 5 pm

The Kool-Aid Days Trolley connects all events from the Adams County Fairgrounds and  Hastings Museum.

Hastings Farmers Market

8 am - Noon - Hastings Museum

Area farmers gather behind Hastings Museum to offer the freshest of produce and homemade foods to festival attendees.

Flying Disc Golf Tournament

Registration 9:30 am – Start 10 am - Hastings Lake

The Hastings Department of Parks & Recreation hosts a tournament on their flying disc golf course at Lake Hastings. $10 Novice/Intermediate entry fee, $20 Masters (40+) entry fee, and $30 Open/Pro entry fee.

Registration is by hole #1 at the Lake. Shotgun start. 402-461-2324

Kool-Aid Days Grand Parade

10:00 am - Downtown Hastings

Our goal is to create a  colorful and interesting parade, which will not only celebrate Kool-Aid Days and the official arrival of  Kool-Aid Man, but will also showcase some of the other wonderful festivals, celebrations, and cultural  attractions in Nebraska. As well, we want to have all the elements of the parades many of us remember  form our childhoods, with horse, fire engines, kids, clowns, and of course, representatives of all the  important civic organizations in our area.  

We are expecting thousands of people to attend Kool-Aid Days event this year. We are excited to  announce that this year we are teaming up with the Oregon Trail Rodeo and the two events will be held  together, this is a wonderful opportunity for your organization to not only show your support for Kool Aid Days, but to make thousands of visitors aware of your work.  

Please consider joining us for this exciting event. The joy of Kool-Aid Days can be shown in many ways,  but our old fashioned "Grand Parade" is an obvious expression of our philosophy of creating an  affordable celebration for the whole family-"Kids of ALL Ages!" 

Location: Downtown Hastings

Event Day: Saturday August 19th, 2023

Time: 10:00 am

The annual Kool-Aid Days Grand Parade will step off in downtown Hastings at 10:00 am on Saturday during the festival. Entries from all over Nebraska will showcase our favorite Kool-Aid Drinkers, mascots, and Kool-Aid Days winners. The finale of the parade will feature the official arrival of Kool-Aid Man, who will lead the parade crowds to the World’s Largest Kool-Aid Stand .

There is no charge for non-profit organization parade entries. Commercial entries are $25 and Political are $50

Sign up here

World’s Largest Kool-Aid Stand

11 am - 5pm  - Fairgrounds

Buy a commemorative mug for $3 or $5 (color-changing) or a Kool-Aid Days stainless steel water bottle and drink as much as you want of 25 flavors of Kool-Aid!

Non-Profit Organization Displays

11 am - 9 pm - Fairgrounds

Don’t miss a visit with local non-profits. FREE games and giveaways await!

Sign Up

Kool-Aid Days Kollectibles

11 am - 9pm

Visit the Kool-Aid Days Kollectables booth to  buy T-shirts, mugs, and many more items commemorating the festival and Nebraska’s Official Soft Drink!

Shop Now

Festival Food Vendors

11 am -  10pm - Fairgrounds

Shaved Ice, Funnel Cakes, Ice Cream, BBQ, Sandwiches, and more! 

Giant Inflatables and Indoor Games

11 am - 5 pm

Giant inflatables fill the field for kids and adults to romp and climb. Test your skill and win prizes around the Adams County Fairgrounds.

Face Painting and Balloon Artist

11 am – 5 pm - Fairgrounds

What festival is truly complete without face painting!? Choose from a variety of designs.

Witness the talents our balloon artist has to offer. Come get your free balloon creation!

Kwickest Kool-Aid Drinking Contest

11:30-12:00 pm Registration

*Preliminary rounds start at 12:30 and are divided into age groups. Flight times for each age group will be posted upon completion of registration*

How quick are you? Final heats and award ceremonies with prizes for contestants in four age categories. 

Fireworks

After Rodeo - Fairgrounds

Fireworks to follow the rodeo presented by both Kool-Aid Days and the Oregon Trail Rodeo. 

SUNDAY AUGUST 20TH, 2023.

Hastings Museum Family Fun

Open 10 am - 6 pm • FREE Activities 12-4 pm

FREE Egg Drop Challenge 1-3:30 pm

Museum admission is just $5 per person during Kool-Aid Days! For the Egg Drop Challenge, eggs will be dropped from the roof of the Museum! Can you protect your egg? Eggs and materials provided! Open to the first 200 participants. Egg Vessel Assembly 1-3:30 pm. Drop begins at 3:30 pm. Free activities include Kool-Aid Stand and Solar Observing (weather permitting). Separate, special $5 admission required for the super screen theatre. Movies and showtimes available at HastingsMuseum.org or 402-461-2399.

Kool-Aid Days 5K Fun Run & Walk 

Registration 7:30 am • Run 9 am - Lake Hastings

Starting at Lake Hastings, follow a 5K or 1-mile route. Prizes for several categories.

Location: Starts at Lake Hastings. Registration at Picnic Pavillion.

Event Day: Sunday August 20, 2023

Event Time: 9:00 AM (Registration & Packet Pick-up begins at 8:00AM)

Join us at Lake Hastings on Sunday morning for some exercise around the lake. The majority of the route is on paved streets through residential and rural areas. Prizes for the top 3 overall winners. Race will happen rain or shine, can’t wait  to see you there! Submit application below by July 31st, 2023 to secure your Kollectible Kool-Aid Days 2023 t-shirt!

2023 Fun Run Registration

$25.00

Register here

Kool-Aid Stand, Kollectibles, and Food

12 pm–3 pm - Lake Hastings

Bring your Kool-Aid mug and enjoy six flavors of the sweet stuff. This is also your last chance to purchase Kool-Aid collectibles during the festival and enjoy festival foods.

Kool-Aid Kardboard Boat Races

Registration 12 pm • Heats 2 pm - Lake Hastings

The Kool-Aid Kardboard Boat Races sail Lake Hastings. Trophies will be awarded in many categories, including Most Spectacular Sinking. Boats go on display at noon and race heats begin at 2 pm with awards ceremony to follow.

Sign Up

Date:  August 18-20, 2023 

Location:  Adams County Fairgrounds, 947 S. Baltimore Ave

Hastings, NE 68902

Click here for more information