Events to Check Out at the 2022 Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival

Get ready for some 4th of July fun!

Earlier this week, the Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival announced all of this year's big events. Courtesy of the official website, here are a few of the things scheduled here in Cedar Rapids (check out the full list HERE):

Balloon Glow & Great American Kites

• Saturday, June 18th from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• Jones Park in Cedar Rapids
• Featuring hot air balloons, Great American Kites, food/beverage vendors, live music from The Breakfast Club, and more
• Tickets are $5 each - ages 8 and under are free

Dock Dogs

• Dates/Times
  • Thursday, June 23rd from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (admission is FREE)
  • Friday, June 24th from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (free admission until 4 p.m.)
  • Saturday, June 25th from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Sunday, June 26th from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Kingston Stadium in Cedar Rapids
• "Dock Dogs and Dueling Dogs consists of three main aquatic events: big air, extreme vertical, and speed retrieval"
• Kids 8 and under get in free

Freedom Festival Parade

• Saturday, June 25th at 10 a.m.
• Downtown Cedar Rapids
• Theme is “Stars & Stripes Forever”

Imagination Square

• Saturday, June 25th at 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Greene Square Park in Cedar Rapids
• "This event provides FREE family-friendly, educational interactive booths, hands-on activities, fan favorites like a bouncy house, face painting, the Freedom Festival trackless train rides, boy scouts pinewood derby track, and freebies from area businesses and organizations!"
• Also featuring the Jr. Firefighter Challenge
• Event is free

2nd Annual Root Beer Festival

• Saturday, June 25th from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• The History Center in Cedar Rapids
• Featuring $1 root beer floats, live music, a bounce house, museum admission, an obstacle course, a food vendor, and more
• "The first 500 guests will receive a FREE signature Root Beer Festival cup and root beer drink"
• Admission is $5 per person - show your official Freedom Festival button for $1 off

Volta Arts & Music Festival

• Saturday, June 25th from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Greene Square Park in Cedar Rapids
• "Join the Eastern Iowa Arts Academy for a full day of incredible music and art at Green Square! Beginning at 2 PM you’ll enjoy youth rock bands and other area youth musicians as well as performances from local, professional rock bands!"
• A Freedom Festival button is required for entry beginning at 3 p.m.

Laser Light Show

• Friday, July 1st from 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
• Hawkeye Downs in Cedar Rapids
• "The 1 hour show features lasers lights choreographed to patriotic and today’s hit music. The show will begin shortly after dusk"
• A Freedom Festival button is required for entry

Pancake Breakfast

• Monday, July 4th from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• ImOn Ice Arena in Cedar Rapids

Car Show

• Monday, July 4th from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Cedar Rapids Kernels Parking Lot
• "Come check out some of the areas most authentic and unique cars, motorcycles, and vehicles! Food and drinks will be available for purchase"

Freedom Festival 4th of July Concert

• Monday, July 4th from 6 p.m. to 9:45 p.m.
• McGrath Amphitheatre in Cedar Rapids
• Featuring the Johnny Holm Band
• "Doors open at 6 PM with first-come, first reserve seating! Food and beverages will be available for purchase"
• A Freedom Festival button is required for entry

Fireworks

• Monday, July 4th from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• Downtown Cedar Rapids - 2nd Avenue Bridge
• "Food and drinks will be available for purchase on the 2^nd Ave bridge from these amazing vendors: Hy-Vee, O’s Grill, Kona Ice, Americana, La Reya, and more!"
• The first 500 kids will receive a bag with a kids activity book
• A Freedom Festival button is required for entry

2022 Freedom Festival t-shirts are available for pre-order now! They're $15 and can be purchased online HERE.