July 2, 2026

Big Dreams Is Coming to Omaha — And Every Family Is Invited

What if there was a day in Omaha where every child — regardless of ability, diagnosis or background — got to be the star of the show?

That day is August 22, 2026. And it's called Big Dreams.

Connected Roots Care Center (CRCC) is proud to invite Omaha families to Big Dreams 2026 — a free, inclusive family festival at Stinson Park in Aksarben Village, running from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is CRCC's fifth year bringing an event to the community, and it's been completely reimagined: bigger performances, more activities and an even deeper commitment to creating a space where every child belongs.

This year, CRCC is also celebrating 35 years of serving children and families across the Omaha metro — and Big Dreams is the ultimate birthday party for the community that made it all possible.

What to Expect at Big Dreams 2026

Big Dreams isn't just an event — it's an experience designed from the ground up with inclusion in mind. Here's what families can look forward to:

Live on Stage: Peppa Pig and KOO KOO

The main stage will feature two headline acts your kids won't stop talking about. Peppa Pig and George will be making a special appearance — yes, the real Peppa Pig — alongside family music sensation KOO KOO. Whether your little ones are toddlers or tweens, these performances are designed to engage, delight and get everyone moving. We’re excited to also have amazing local performances by True Blues, Metro Stars, Omaha Conservatory of Music, School of Rock Omaha and Circle Theater.

Kids Fun Zone: Built for All Abilities

Steps from the main stage, the Possibility Playground is packed with hands-on activities designed to spark curiosity and creativity — for every child, at every ability level. Face painting, balloon artists, creative maker stations and engaging discovery spaces make this a place where kids can simply be kids.

Race for Big Dreams: A Run for Every Pace

Kick off the morning with the Race for Big Dreams, open to participants of all ages and abilities. The event includes a community 5K and a family fun walk (paid registration required), along with the Lap of Champions — a special recognition moment for the children and families who face extraordinary challenges every day. It's one of the most moving moments of the entire event.

Food Trucks, Vendors, and Community Partners

Throughout the festival, local food trucks and vendors will fill the park, alongside family organizations and community partners who share CRCC's mission of connection and inclusion. It's the kind of community gathering that reminds you why Omaha is such a special place to raise a family.

Why Big Dreams Matters

For families navigating a child's disability, developmental difference or complex medical needs, the world can sometimes feel like it wasn't designed with your child in mind. Finding spaces where your child is genuinely welcomed — not just tolerated — can be rare.

Big Dreams exists to change that.

"Big Dreams is about creating a place where every child can participate, belong and be celebrated," said Mike Bird, CEO of Connected Roots Care Center. "We want families to leave feeling connected to their community and inspired by what is possible when we embrace every ability."

That philosophy is at the heart of everything CRCC does. CRCC serves more than 600 children and young adults each year — children with autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, feeding disorders, behavioral health needs, and dozens of other diagnoses — alongside their typically developing peers. The inclusive model isn't just a program feature. It's a belief system.

Big Dreams is that belief system made visible — one summer Saturday at a time.

Celebrating 35 Years of Connected Roots

Big Dreams 2026 carries extra meaning this year. CRCC is turning 35 — and the organization has spent every one of those years proving that when you put children first, extraordinary things happen.

CRCC currently serves nearly 600 children across two Omaha locations (Southwest and Northwest), supports 96 unique diagnoses, and has raised more than $1.25 million in patient assistance — ensuring that no family is turned away because of cost. The organization provides education, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, ABA therapy, skilled nursing, mental health services, and family advocacy — all under one roof.

That's not just a service offering. That's a community.

Big Dreams is how CRCC celebrates that community — and invites all of Omaha to be part of it.

How to Get Involved

Big Dreams is free and open to the public — no tickets required for the festival itself. Here are a few ways to participate:

Attend the festival. Mark your calendar for Saturday, August 22, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Stinson Park, Aksarben Village. Bring the whole family.
Register for the Race for Big Dreams. Sign up for the 5K or fun walk. Paid registration is required for race participants — details and registration are available here.
Volunteer. Help create a day of inclusion, joy and possibility for children and families of all abilities. See our list of opportunities.
Spread the word. Know a family who could use a day like this? Share this post. Tag a friend. Every family deserves to experience Big Dreams.
Support CRCC's mission. Big Dreams is also a fundraising event for CRCC. Your participation — attending, donating, or sponsoring — directly supports the programs and services that help hundreds of Omaha children grow, learn, and thrive.