WE’RE TURNING FIVE YEARS OLD!
Wednesday, September 23, 2026
5-9 p.m. at Roca Berry Farm
16531 S. 38th St., Roca, NE 68430
We’re thrilled to present the 2026 Flatwater Free Press Festival, an evening where we celebrate Flatwater’s 5th birthday. We will eat, drink, hold a Q-and-A with legendary journalist George Packer and have a kickin’ barn party, Flatwater style. Come celebrate while supporting the present and future of Nebraska news.
2026 Flatwater Festival Details
It’s our annual ticketed celebration, FlatFest, held this year at the lovely Creekside Barn, an indoor-outdoor venue at the Roca Berry Farm, just minutes south of Lincoln.
We’ll have food, drinks, music, merriment, a September Nebraska sunset and multiple chances to chat with FFP journalists and ask questions about their work.
We’ll also have a one-of-a-kind conversation about the present and future of news as Flatwater editor Matthew Hansen interviews famed Atlantic journalist and award-winning author George Packer. Packer, previously a New Yorker staff writer, has won a National Book Award and twice been a Pulitzer finalist during a long career covering American foreign policy, the Iraq War and the decades leading us to present-day America. His new novel, released last November, is called, “The Emergency.”
Featured Guest
George Packer
George Packer is a staff writer at The Atlantic. He’s the author of 10 books and the recipient of the 2013 National Book Award for “The Unwinding: An Inner History of the New America.”
His nonfiction book, “The Assassins’ Gate: America in Iraq,” which details the aftermath of the United States’ 2003 invasion of Iraq, was named a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.
His new dystopian novel, “The Emergency,” published in November 2025, has been hailed as a “A propulsive Orwellian novel” and “a knockout,” by Publisher’s Weekly and “a richly detailed adventure,” by Bloomberg.
Before joining The Atlantic, Packer was a staff writer for The New Yorker for 15 years. He writes about American politics, culture and foreign policy.
Festival Venue
Roca Berry Farm
Creekside Barn at Roca Berry Farm, built in 1917, was one of the first barns in Lancaster County. The barn once housed horses and hay, and now is a one-of-a-kind spot for celebrations like Flatfest. It features chandeliers, a full bar, a private parking lot and a stunning 3,100 square-foot deck guarded by towering oaks and overlooking Salt Creek.
Roca Berry Farm — Creekside Barn
16531 S 38th St, Roca, NE 68430
Five Days of Flatwater
We’re celebrating our fifth birthday with events throughout week leading up to big finale on Sept. 23. Check out the lineup, with new events unveiled weekly.
DAY ONE: SATURDAY, SEPT. 19
Raygun Popup Shop
We are kicking off our Flatwater Festival this year with new merch at a popup at Raygun in Lincoln! Celebrate our fifth anniversary with some fresh designs and say hello to our Lincoln reporters.
Location: Raygun, 1219 P St, Lincoln, NE 68508
Date: September 19, 2026
Time: 2-4 p.m.
Registration: None
DAY TWO: SUNDAY, SEPT. 20
Community Conversations: Flatwater Forum
Join us from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at UNL’s Morrill Hall for an evening for panel discussions about journalism, Nebraska and civic engagement.
Flatwater’s own Yanqi Xu will talk about her latest story for The New York Times, which found Gov. Jim Pillen’s farms employ undocumented workers. You’ll also hear from UNL alumna and current senior editor at the Atlantic, Jenna Johnson, about covering the Trump administration. Leah Wambui Keinama, Director of Civic Journalism at Nebraska Journalism Trust and UNL’s Chris Graves will discuss the role of civic journalism and how it can help build democracy.
LOCATION CHANGE: Morrill Hall’s Elephant Hall, 645 North 14th Street, Lincoln, NE 68588
Date: September 20, 2026
Time: Doors open at 5 p.m., programming starts at 5:30 p.m.
DAY THREE: MONDAY, SEPT. 21
Film Screening: Storm Lake
Join Film Streams and Flatwater Free Press for this free screening and post-show Q&A with Art Cullen.
Pulitzer prize-winning journalist Art Cullen and his family fight to unite and inform their rural Iowan farming community through their biweekly newspaper, The Storm Lake Times—even as the paper hangs on by a thread. Twice a week, they work as civic watchdogs to protect their hometown and the legacy of credible journalism, at large—come hell or pandemic. Tickets are free, but registration is required.
Location: Film Streams’ Dundee Theater, 4952 Dodge St, Omaha, NE 68132
Date: September 21, 2026
Time: Doors open at 6 p.m., film starts at 6:30 p.m.
DAY FOUR: TUESDAY, SEPT. 22
Nebraska trivia night
Free trivia with Flatwater Free Press reporters and editors
We’ll ask you questions about Nebraska news, history, sports and more, with some answers coming straight from Flatwater reporting. Read our latest stories for your best chance to score prizes like free tickets to FlatFest, gift cards to The Mill and a book basket from Francie and Finch!
Location: HopCat, 601 P St, Lincoln, NE 68508
Date: Sept. 22, 2026
Time: 6-8 p.m.
DAY FIVE: WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 23
Flatwater Festival
Food, drinks, Flatwater journalists and a conversation with featured guest George Packer.
It’s our annual ticketed celebration held this year at the lovely Creekside Barn, an indoor-outdoor venue at the Roca Berry Farm, just minutes south of Lincoln.
Thanks to our sponsors
Your sponsorship will help the Flatwater Free Press convene hundreds of informed and engaged Nebraskans for conversation about the vital role of independent journalism in sustaining The Good Life.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are no paper tickets; just check in at the door of the event.
Send us an email at [email protected]
Please note that photos and videos will be taken throughout the event. These will be used by the Nebraska Journalism Trust for marketing and publicity in our publications, on our website, and in social media.
For parking at Roca Berry Farms, Creekside Barn: There will be a lot at the entrance of the venue
The Kindler Lincoln, located downtown Lincoln, has discounted rates Sept. 22 and 23 for Festival guests. Use this link to reserve your room and use our promo code NJT to access our rate.
Do you have questions about your registration or the event? Email [email protected].
Yes, tickets are available for the evening event in Roca and discussion with George Packer. Buy tickets here »
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The two-time Pulitzer finalist’s latest novel is “The Emergency,” a dystopian novel about a society that collapsed from boredom and loss of faith.
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From the economy to the state’s shifting demographics, officials and experts weighed in on Nebraska’s future during the third annual Flatwater Free Press Festival. Held at Creighton University, the afternoon of discussions touched on the future of Omaha, philanthropy, Nebraskans, the economy, lead pollution and media.
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CAN’T ATTEND THIS YEAR? DONATE AND SUBSCRIBE
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