Over 20,000 people gather in downtown Omaha to watch Fourth of July fireworks, concert

The milestone anniversary of the United States of America’s founding and its historic ideals was not lost on the event’s speakers, including Omaha Mayor John Ewing.

Ewing, the city’s first elected Black mayor, told the crowd of more than 20,000 people — as estimated by the Metropolitan Entertainment and Convention Authority — mainly gathered at the Gene Leahy Mall that the idea of America “is bigger than any one person.”

"We are constantly evolving and making ourselves better, striving for a more perfect union,” Ewing said.

Ewing tied the ideals of America back to Omaha and his Year of the Neighbor initiative — a campaign the mayor said is designed to promote community collaboration, pride and a chance for every Omahan to view their fellow residents and countrymen as neighbors no matter the other person’s background.

“We are an inclusive community — an inclusive city — like our country,” Ewing said. “We should strive to believe in each other and in our better angels.”

Ewing’s remarks came on a mostly comfortable summer night with clear skies and lower temperatures compared to earlier in the week, even as the humidity lingered. The Independence Day celebration marked the fifth one at the Gene Leahy Mall since the renovated downtown park reopened in 2022.

“This is exactly what was imagined when we began (hosting the celebration)," said MECA President and CEO Adam Straight.

Kat Dahlberg, an Omaha native who now lives in Los Angeles, came to the Gene Leahy Mall to celebrate the holiday with her three young children and husband.

“It’s great to celebrate the historic birthday with the kids,” Dahlberg said.

Musical selections performed by the symphony included a mix of patriotic and pop songs. One medley featured songs including “This Land is Your Land,” “America the Beautiful,” “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee,” “Yankee Doodle” and “You’re a Grand Old Flag.” Other musical selections included “For Good” from the Broadway musical “Wicked.” Some musical numbers, including “For Good,” featured singers including soloists.

The approximately 75-member symphony conducted by Ernest Richardson also performed “God Bless America” and, near the beginning, “The Star-Spangled Banner” with the Offutt Air Force Base Honor Guard leading the way with the flag display.

The symphony opened the fireworks show with a rendition of the “1812 Overture” written by Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The approximately 15-minute fireworks show concluded Omaha’s celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary.

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