🍁 From city cleanup to spooky rides... this Scoop’s stacked!

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Mid-October already? Feels like fall flipped the switch overnight. The leaves are swirling, Halloween decorations are out in full force, and Omaha is packed with cozy, spooky, and downright fun stuff to do. Whether you’re in the mood for brisket, beakers, or Beetlejuice-level vibes, we’ve got something for you this week.

Scroll on for everything from haunted trolleys to adoptable hounds.

🔥 Brisket Worth Setting Your Watch By

Where the smoke rolls and the locals follow: Smokin’ Barrel BBQ has settled into its new digs at 132nd, and you can smell the magic before you even find a parking spot.

Pitmaster Wayne Dinges still runs the show, slicing tender brisket, piling pulled pork high, and chatting with regulars between orders. The bourbon beans hit just right, and when the sign says “sold out,” you’ll wish you’d shown up sooner. Learn more here.

🎃 Costumes, Crafts, and a Little Chaos

Mangelsen’s is the kind of place that’s been part of Omaha life for generations, where the smell of popcorn greets you at the door and Halloween takes over every corner come fall. Spooky season is when aisles fill with costumes, masks, and all the trimmings, complete with a little nostalgia, of course.

And mark your calendar for a hometown favorite: ✨ Witches Tea 2025 🧹🎃: Saturday, October 18, 11AM–3PM. Expect free food, games, prizes, and plenty of spirited fun. Learn more here.

🧹 Omaha’s Fall Cleanup Rolls On

The Gist: Omaha’s citywide Fall Cleanup is in full swing, giving neighbors a chance to clear out garages, basements, and backyards before winter sets in. The free event runs every Saturday in October from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with different parts of the city hosting each week. Items like furniture, tires, and old appliances can be dropped off at designated sites including Metro Community College and Bancroft Elementary.

Why It Matters:
There’s still time to pitch in and help keep Omaha clean, green, and clutter-free. Read more here.

🚜 Grand Island Combine Crowned Nebraska’s Coolest Creation

The Gist: The AF Series Combines, built at Case IH’s Grand Island plant, have been named the 2025 “Coolest Thing Made in Nebraska.” Chosen from 16 finalists and over 40,000 public votes, the high-tech harvesters impressed for their power, efficiency, and ability to tackle more than 180 crop types.

Why It Matters: The win shines a spotlight on Nebraska’s manufacturing strength and the innovation of local workers who help feed the world. The award was announced during the state’s Manufacturing Summit, marking National Manufacturing Month.
Read more here.

Jake is a 5-year-old Beagle-Coonhound mix fostered right here in Omaha.

He’s as loyal as they come! This 55-pound hound is house-trained, crate-trained, and happiest with a squeaky toy in his mouth or his head resting on your knee.

He’s gentle, loving, and gets along well with other dogs, though he needs a calm, patient home to help him feel safe. Neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped. Adoption fee: $300.

To learn more about this handsome boy, click HERE.

🎃 Halloween Lights Tour | Ollie the Trolley | Omaha | 10/17 | More
Ride Ollie the Trolley to see Omaha’s spookiest and most dazzling Halloween displays!

🧬 BioDiscovery: Ancient DNA Detectives | Kiewit Luminarium | Omaha | 10/18 | More
Decode ancient genetic puzzles and bring history to life using real science tools!

🐮 Petting Zoo Saturday | Fat Brain Toys | Omaha | 10/19 | More
Pause the Halloween hustle with an afternoon of hands-on fun meeting farm animals.

🧡 Sensory-Friendly Trick-or-Treat | Munroe-Meyer Institute | Omaha | 10/19 | More
Quiet, first-floor stations with treats and trinkets from staff & volunteers.

🦍 Zootacular | Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium | Omaha | 10/23–10/26 | More
A glowing Halloween wonderland with trick-or-treating, live performances, and more!

🎃 Scary Movie Music with the Omaha Symphony | Holland Center | Omaha | 10/17–10/18 | More
A spine-tingling symphonic celebration of the most chilling film scores.

👻 Spooky Spirits (21+) | Lauritzen Gardens | Omaha | 10/18 | More
Sip eerie cocktails and explore haunted garden paths in this adults-only night!

🎁 Not Yo Mama’s Lollapalooza Craft-O-Rama Extravaganza | Westside Community Conference Center | Omaha | 10/ 18 | More
Shop wild, witty, and wonderful creations at the most fun (and a little irreverent) craft fest.

🍂 Beats, Bites & Autumn Nights | Old Market | Omaha | 10/19 | More
Fall fest fun with music, flame-grilled eats, spooky cocktails, and the annual Witches Walk.

😂 Adam Sandler Live | CHI Health Center | Omaha | 10/21 | More
The comedy legend returns with a hilarious evening packed with classics and new material!

🍺 Durham After Dark: 21+ Party | The Durham Museum | Omaha | 10/23 | More
Raise a glass and roam the haunted halls: beer tastings, tarot, costumes, and more.

If you want to read any of our previous issues, check them out HERE on our website.