Omahans get night in Mexico

Trot down to the Omaha Children's Museum this evening for a little taste of Xalapa, Mexico.

The museum kicks off a monthlong series called “WorldFest: A Sister City Celebration and Pizza Night,” each featuring one of Omaha's five sister cities.

“We're excited to connect children to the rich cultures of Omaha's sister cities,” said Lindy Hoyer, executive director. Hoyer serves on the Omaha Sister Cities Association (OSCA) board of directors.

This is the third year the museum has hosted the series, and it has proved very popular, said museum spokeswoman Christina Kahler.

“They are just fun nights showcasing the culture of each city, and each city is so unique,” Kahler said.

“They have all been well-attended,” she added. “The museum members love to come to these events. We don't have evening hours all year long, just in the summer. So this is also a fun time for families to take advantage of that.”

Throughout the five-week celebration, the museum will display flags and banners of Omaha's sister cities, along with a world map to identify locations and clocks to demonstrate the time in each city.

The WorldFest schedule:

Today Xalapa, Mexico: Mexican music, piñatas, a marketplace and Mexican pastries.

July 9 Naas, Ireland: Irish legends and fairy tales and the Craoi Na Tire Dancers.

July 16 Braunschweig, Germany: Songs, stories and folk dancing.

July 23 Shizuoka, Japan: Taiko drum performances, Japanese snack samples and calligraphy demonstrations.

July 30 Siauliai, Lithuania: Lithuanian folk dancing, “Amber” jewelry making and a flower crown craft.

Events run from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. a the Omaha Children's Museum, 500 S. 20th St. Guests also will be able to purchase a Valentino's pizza dinner for $3.50.