Omaha World Herald
Published Sunday, August 28, 2005
BY KEVIN COLE
Any day is a good one for James Traylor and his infant daughter to hang out in Dundee, but the neighborhood’s annual festival is always a “must-sit-and-watch-the world-pass-by” event.
Traylor and 10-week-old Ella Donna were perfectly positioned to people-watch at a table in the shade outside Blue Line Coffee at 4924 Underwood Ave.
The Omahan is a former Dundee resident and regular visitor to the business district who said he wouldn’t think of missing the annual Dundee Day activities.
“We just hang out and talk to a few people we don’t know yet, which is always the nicest part of being up here,” said Traylor, who is originally from Tennessee. “That’s the great thing about Omaha, and this neighborhood in particular: People are so nice.”
The 10th version of Dundee Day got off to a fast start with more than 1,000 people eating a pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m.
John Kuper, the Pancake Man, said it was the largest breakfast crowd he’s seen in five years at the festival.
People stood in a line that often stretched a full block.
Katie Drelicharz and her three children - Jack, 6; Mary Kate, 4; and Luke, 18 months - didn’t mind the wait, though.
“It actually went very fast,” Drelicharz said. “I think we were only in line about 10 minutes before we got our food.”
Mom planned to work off breakfast by browsing through the arts and crafts stalls lining Underwood Avenue. The kids, however, were tugging her toward the inflatable rides.
Under a tree in front of Dundee Hardware, 5002 Underwood Ave., the 15 members of the Lafayette Avenue Precision Lawn Chair Team were resting following their march in the parade.
The team performed a number of “not too intricate maneuvers” to the tune of “Stars and Stripes Forever.”
“We performed in this four years ago, and we’re back by popular demand,” team member Bill Rizer said with a laugh. “Now it’s time to sit back and relax.”
More adventuresome participants could choose from carnival rides on the Dundee Elementary School grounds, Ollie the Trolley tours of the neighborhood or musical performances on a stage set up on Underwood Avenue.
A street dance capped the day’s entertainment with performances by World Power, the Linoma Mashers and Rhythm Collective.
“This festival gets bigger every year,” said John Coolidge, owner of Trovato’s, 5013 Underwood Ave. “It’s a lot of work for the merchants, but we enjoy it. We get to see all our friends.”
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