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Freedom Festival planning birthday bash

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Fireworks light up the Tree of Five Seasons at the finale of the Freedom Festival on Wednesday, July 4, 2012, in Cedar Rapids. (Liz Martin/The Gazette-KCRG)

CEDAR RAPIDS — Some things old, some things new, some things borrowed and lots of red, white and blue. That’s what’s in store for the 30th anniversary of the Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival.

The celebration gets under way June 21 to 23 with the return of the Dock Dogs canine aquatic contest, moving to Kirkwood Community College, and the new Sand in the City sand sculpture contest at NewBo City Market.

“We’re excited to bring Sand in the City to Cedar Rapids,” says Brandon Busbee, the Freedom Festival’s marketing and operations director. “It’s been in the Corridor, but this is our first time bringing it to Cedar Rapids and making it part of our festival.”

The Dock Dogs competition premiered last year and generated so much excitement that the governing group proclaimed Cedar Rapids the site for this year’s Midwest Regional Championships.

“The community really liked it and really embraced it,” Busbee says. “We just had to bring that back.”

Next to waving flags and fireworks, nothing says Fourth of July like patriotic music.

“We’re incorporating not only one military band, but we were lucky to get a second one, as well,” Busbee says. “The U.S. Navy Band will march in the parade, play a rock concert in the evening (June 29) and play in the Patriotic Pops Concert at the Paramount. Then the U.S. Air Force Band will be headlining the concert downtown before the fireworks. We’re excited to have two military bands, since we haven’t had one since 2010.”

NewBo Market will be the site for several events June 29, beginning with a flag retirement ceremony at 4 p.m., followed by the U.S. Navy Rock Band concert and the revamped Music Night, featuring Simpleton & Cityfolk from Chicago. All of the concerts will be free with a $3 Freedom Festival button.

The buttons, designed by local artist Dan Schuster of Design Trust, will go on sale May 24 at all local Hy-Vee Food & Drug Stores and Casey’s General Stores. Scattered among the buttons are gold ones that qualify the buyer for prizes, including a trip for two to Mexico.

Kicking the party into overdrive is a raffle where one lucky ticket holder will drive off with a 2013 KIA Soul. Tickets go on sale May 20 at the Freedom Festival office, 226 Second St. SE.

The two-week festival typically brings 350,000 to 400,000 people to town, generating between $10 million and $12 million in economic impact, Busbee says.

For more event information, go to FreedomFestival.com or call (319) 365-8313.

 

SCHEDULE:

— June 21 to 23: Jump for Freedom, Dock Dogs canine aquatic jumping contest, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Kirkwood Community College

— June 21 to 23: Sand in the City, sand sculpture contest, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., NewBo City Market

— June 25: Balloon Glow, 5:30 to 10 p.m., Brucemore

— June 27: Tribute to Heroes Dinner, 7 p.m., The Hotel at Kirkwood Center

— June 29: Imagination Square, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Greene Square Park; Freedom Festival Parade, 10 a.m., downtown Cedar Rapids

— June 29: At NewBo City Market: Flag retirement ceremony, 4 p.m.; U.S. Navy Rock Band concert, 5 p.m.; Music Night, 8 p.m., with Simpleton & Cityfolk from Chicago, free with button

— June 30: Patriotic Pops, 4 p.m., Paramount Theater, featuring 45-piece U.S. Navy Great Lakes Wind Ensemble, free with button

— July 2: Movie Night at the Ballpark, 7 p.m., Veterans Memorial Stadium, showing “Sandlot,” free with button

— July 4: Downtown Cedar Rapids: Pancake breakfast, 8 to 11 a.m.; KidZone and Ferris wheel, food and beverages, 4 p.m.; U.S. Air Force Rock Band concert, 7 p.m.; car raffle winner announced, 9:30 p.m.; 30th Anniversary Fireworks Show, 10 p.m.

Summer concert preview

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Starting this weekend, Eastern Iowa is spreading out a seemingly endless musical potluck picnic with outdoor music to suit every musical taste, through September.

This list just scratches the surface of outdoor events that can draw thousands of people to parks, streets, city squares and county fairs.

Community bands have been sending their sounds through the summer breeze in Cedar Rapids since the 1890s. A summer outdoor series is a recent addition to the Riverside Casino table. And the grandstands fill up quickly at the Great Jones County Fair in Monticello, where blankets and lawn chairs create a patchwork crazy quilt on the surrounding hillsides.

But when heat, humidity and bugs threaten to crash the parties, why do we keep flocking to these events?

“Our outdoor summer music season is so short, while we do complain about the heat and humidity and insist we’re not going to stir out of our air-conditioned cocoons, we know if we don’t do it now, we won’t have the chance. And if we don’t stir ourselves and go to them, they will go away,” says Dennis Green, general manager of KCCK-FM. The Cedar Rapids radio station has been staging Jazz Under the Stars for 24 years at Noelridge Park, drawing upward of 3,000 people on beautiful August nights.

“It’s worth it to put up with a few mosquitoes to have these opportunities,” Green says.

— Diana Nollen

MAY

Uptown Friday Nights, Cedar Rapids

Fridays, May 27 to July 29: 5 to 8 p.m., Greene Square Park, downtown Cedar Rapids. Live music by popular regional bands, food and adult beverages, presented by the Cedar Rapids Jaycees; $5 admission includes first drink for first 500 people; must be ages 21 and older with photo ID. First up: The Swing Crew, May 27. www.uptownfridaynights.com

Friday Night Concert Series, Iowa City

Fridays, May 20 to Sept. 2: 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., Ped Mall, downtown. Rain location: Chauncey Swan Parking Ramp, 460 E. Washington St. Local talent; free admission. www.summerofthearts.org/festival-menu/concert-series/about.aspx

Downtown Saturday Night, Iowa City

Saturday, May 21 to Sept. 3: 6:30 to 9 p.m., Weatherdance Fountain Stage by the Sheraton Hotel, downtown. Rain location: Chauncey Swan Parking Ramp, 460 E. Washington St. Local and regional bands; free admission. www.summerofthearts.org/festival-menu/downtown-saturday-night/about.aspx

Thursday Night Live, Washington

Thursdays, May 26 to Aug. 18: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Central Square Park, downtown Washington, Iowa. Local music, entertainment.

Liberty Centre Blues & BBQ, North Liberty

May 29: Noon to 10 p.m., north side of the pond at Liberty Centre, just off Penn Street. Free family event with food, beverage garden; barbecue contest, 4:30 p.m.; music by Kevin B.F. Burt and the Instigators, Bob Dorr and the Blue Band, The Avey Brothers, Ernie Peniston and Dave Zollo; kids’ activities; fishing; fireworks. http://northlibertyiowa.org/bluesandbbq

JUNE

Marion by Moonlight

Thursdays, June 2 to 23: 6 to 9:30 p.m., City Square Park. Rain date: June 30. www.marioncc.org

Beckster Fest Amana

June 3 to 5: Amana Colonies RV Park and Event Center, 3890 C St. Polka fest with nine bands, food. Friday: 6 p.m. to midnight, $10. Saturday: noon to midnight, $12. Sunday: noon to 6 p.m., $10. Three-day pass: $25. www.barefootbecky.com

Iowa City Community Band

June 5 to July 10: Various times, dates and locations in Iowa City and Coralville. http://iccband.org

Cedar Rapids Municipal Band

June 8 to Aug. 7: Various parks and other sites around Cedar Rapids, beginning 7:30 p.m. June 8 in Greene Square Park. Most concerts start at 7:30 p.m., except 10 a.m. July 2 at the Downtown Farmers Market and 8 p.m. July 4 north of the Police Station. Free admission. www.crmuniband.org/schedule.html

Washington Municipal Band

Thursdays, June 9 to Aug. 11: 8 to 9 p.m., Central park bandstand, downtown Washington, Iowa. www.washingtoniowachamber.com/Performing%20Arts.htm

Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival

Various outdoor concerts, www.freedomfestival.com

June 12: 6 to 9:30 p.m., Glenn Miller Orchestra, Guaranty Bank parking lot, 302 Third Ave. SE; admission free with 2011 Freedom Festival button.

June 18: 6 p.m., Classic Rock Concert Night with Loverboy and fireworks, Johnson Hall parking lot, Kirkwood Community College; $20 preferred seating; $15 ages 13 and up; $5 ages 6 to 12; Freedom Festival button required.

June 19: 6 p.m., Patriotic Pops Concert with Orchestra Iowa, Harmony Hawks and fireworks, Kirkwood Community College; $20 preferred seating; $15 ages 13 and up; $5 ages 6 to 12; Freedom Festival button required.

July 4: 8 p.m., Fanfare to the Fireworks, with the Cedar Rapids Municipal Band, north of the police station; free.

Marion Community Band

June 14 and 28: 7 p.m., City Square Park, Seventh Avenue and 10th Street, Marion. Concert Band and Jazz Band. http://marioncommunitybands.us

Outdoor Beach Party, Cedar Rapids

June 17: 6:30 p.m., Chrome Horse Saloon parking lot, 1202 Third St. SE. Cedar Island Band. Free admission; ages 21 and over; gates open at 6 p.m. http://chromehorsesaloon.net

Summer Outdoor Concert Series, Riverside

June 18, July 30, Aug. 27: Open to all ages, Riverside Casino grounds, 3184 Highway 22. June 18: Huey Lewis and The News, 8 p.m., $35 and $65. July 30: The Xtreme Muzik Tour featuring Big & Rich, Gretchen Wilson, Cowboy Troy and Two Foot Fred, 8 p.m., $35 and $65. Aug. 27: Peter Frampton, 7 p.m., $30 and $50. Tickets in casino gift shop or http://tickets.riversidecasinoandresort.com

JULY

Camp Euforia, Lone Tree

July 15 and 16: Jerry Hotz farm, 5335 Utah Ave. SE. Electronica to bluegrass from 18 national, regional and local bands, including host Euforquestra; gates open noon July 15; $65 at www.midwestix.com or $85 day of show, includes parking and camping. www.campeuforia.com

Iowa City Jazz Festival

July 1 to 3: Downtown. Concerts by local, regional and national and international jazz musicians; kids’ activities, fireworks July 3. Free admission. www.summerofthearts.org

Coralville 4thFEST

July 3: 5:30 p.m., S.T. Morrison Park, with Herman’s Hermits, The Grass Roots and Cedar Island Band; free. www.coralville.org

Marion Big Band

Thursdays, July 7 to 28: 7 p.m., City Square Park. http://uptownmarion.com

Great Jones County Fair, Monticello

July 21: 8 p.m., Jason Aldean, Chris Young, Thompson Square; $25 to $40

July 22: 8 p.m., Lady Antebellum, Josh Kelley; $25 to $40

July 23: 7 p.m., Seether, Hinder and My Darkest Days; $30

www.greatjonescountyfair.com

Ushers Ferry, Cedar Rapids

July 23: Motorcycles and Music, 4 to 8 p.m., Ushers Ferry Historic Village, 5925 Seminole Valley Trl. NE. Motorcycle show, music, family games; $8 adults, $4 ages 3to 14, free ages 2 and under.

Aug. 13: Music Festival, 5 to 9 p.m. Local musicians on Gazebo Square, concessions; $8 adults, $4 ages 14 and under. www.cedar-rapids.org/resident-resources/parks-recreation/ushers-ferry/events/Pages/July,August,September.aspx

AUGUST

Downtown Getdown, Marion

Thursdays, Aug. 4 to 25: 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., City Square Park. Food, 6 p.m., music, 6:30 p.m. Free admission. Aug. 4: Dogs on Skis; Aug. 11: B.F. Burt and the Instigators; Aug. 18: Lonesome Road; Aug. 25: The Beaker Brothers. www.marioncc.org

Jazz Under the Stars, Cedar Rapids

Thursdays, Aug. 4 to 25: 7 p.m., Noelridge Park. Rain location: Parlor City Pub, 1125 Third St. SE. Aug. 4: Ariel Pocock; Aug. 11: Funk Daddies; Aug. 18: Dennis McPartland and The Jazz Underground; Aug. 25: Bob Dorr and The Blue Band. www.kcck.org/events/juts.php

Cabaret in the Courtyard, Cedar Rapids

Aug. 11 to 20: Brucemore, 2160 Linden Dr. SE. Aug. 11 to 13: 7:30 p.m. Divapalooza. Aug. 18 to 20: A Trio of Tenors, 7:30 p.m.; $20 adults, $18 Brucemore members, at the Brucemore Store or (319) 362-7375; $25 at the gate. www.brucemore.org

Amphitheater Music Fest, Cedar Rapids

Aug. 20:10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Greene Square Park, downtown. $10. Local and regional bands, food, raffle. Fundraiser for planned Cedar Rapids Amphitheater. www.facebook.com/#!/pages/CR-Amphitheater-Music-Fest/192783107411582

Bluesmore, Cedar Rapids

Aug. 6: 4 to 9:30 p.m., Brucemore, 2160 Linden Dr. SE. Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band, regional and national blues performers, music workshops, food, beverages; $13 adults, $12 students and Brucemore/Linn County Blues Society members by Aug. 5 at (319) 362-7375, $15 at the gate, free ages 10 and under. www.brucemore.org

SEPTEMBER

Landfall Festival, Cedar Rapids

Sept. 21 to 24: Centered at Greene Square Park, downtown Cedar Rapids; free admission. Musicians from Africa, Asia, Latin America, United States and more, presented by Legion Arts/CSPS. http://legionarts.org

Brucemorchestra, Cedar Rapids

Sept. 10: Brucemorchestra IV: Crown Imperial, 7:30 p.m., Brucemore, 2160 Linden Dr. SE. Orchestra Iowa’s season opener features pomp from English and Roman empires. www.orchestraiowa.org

Iowa Women’s Music Festival, Iowa City

Sept. 10: Daystage, noon to 5:30 p.m., Upper City Park, free admission; food and drink, arts and crafts; www.prairievoices.net Headliner: Janis Ian, 8 p.m., Englert Theatre, 221 E. Washington St., $25, Englert Box Office, (319) 688-2653 or www.englert.org

Celebrate summer:
Best fests

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From the Wild West and Renaissance days of yore to “Star Trek” future ways and more, enterprising Eastern Iowa towns and organizations are gearing up for their busiest season under the sun.

No matter what your preference in food and fun, you’re bound to find a reason to celebrate.

Patriotism will be on parade during the Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival and Coralville’s 4thFEST, while Hawkeyes salute their black and gold at FRY Fest in September.

Sauerkraut, pickles, sweet corn, mushrooms, beef, hogs and Cajun critters wash down oh so nicely with ice-cold beer and pop, while history and heritage will bring out the best in Hoover

ball and lederhosen.

So get out your calendars — paper or digital — and jot down these dates to remember. Then keep watching for more on music, film fests and seasonal fare. We’ve only just begun to turn up the heat.

— Diana Nollen

MAY

Chalk the Walk, Mount Vernon

May 7 and 8: Madonnari Festival; juried and public chalk drawings on downtown streets. www.visitmvl.com

Houby Days, Cedar Rapids

May 13 to 15: Czech Village. Czech food, music, maypole dancing, noon parade Saturday, carnival rides, puppet show, folk dance festival. www.ncsml.org/Events/20110513/44/Houby-Days.aspx

Benz Beer Fest, Cedar Rapids

May 14: 1 to 5 p.m. outdoors, Benz, 501 Seventh Ave. SE. More than 100 brews from around the world, music, guest brewmasters. $15, includes souvenir tasting glass. American Heart Association benefit. www.benzbeveragedepot.com/content.asp?ID=2383&Date=5/14/2011

Marion Arts Festival

May 21: City Square Park, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Juried art exhibits, 5K race, demonstrations, art activities. www.marionartsfestival.com

Cajun Fest, Amana

May 28 and 29: Taste Louisiana Cajun & Zydeco Festival, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Amana Colonies RV Park and Event Center, 3890 C St. Food, music, kids’ activities, carnival rides, shopping, demonstrations, dance lessons. Admission: $10 adults, $2 ages 6 to 12. www.cajunfest.net

Iowa Renaissance Festival, Middle Amana

May 28 to 30: Middle Amana Park. Historical re-enactment, jousting, theater, comedy, merchants, food. Admission: $10 adults, $6 children. www.iowarenfest.com

JUNE

Iowa City Arts Festival

June 3 to 5: On seven blocks in downtown Iowa City. 120 local and national artists, music, entertainment, kids’ activities, foods. www.summerofthearts.org

North Liberty Fun Days

June 9 to 12: Penn Meadows Park. Carnival rides, music, car show, truck pull.

Grant Wood Art Festival, Anamosa

June 12:10 a.m. to 5 p.m., downtown Anamosa. Juried art contest, music, student art and educational displays, kids’ activities. www.anamosachamber.org/grantwoodartfestival

Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival

June 12 to July 4: Music, baseball, ski shows, Loverboy concert June 18, Patriotic Pops concert June 19, food, games, contests, parade June 25, Cardboard Boat Regatta June 26, Balloon Glow June 28, pancake breakfast July 4, fireworks. www.freedomfestival.com

Hog Wild Days, Hiawatha

June 16 to 19: Guthridge Park. Contests, Saturday parade, music, food, carnival rides, flea market, 5K run, fireworks Sunday. www.hogwilddays.com

TrekFest XXVII, Riverside

June 24 and 25: Hall Park. Carnival rides, games, food, parade, contests, demolition derby, music, “Star Trek” trivia, sci-fi costume contest, fireworks Saturday. www.trekfest.com

Wild West Weekend, Cedar Rapids

June 25 and 26: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Ushers Ferry Historic Village, 5925 Seminole Valley Trl. NE. Old West re-enactors, food, kids’ bounty hunt. $8 adults; $4 ages 3 to 14; $1 off with a Freedom Festival button. www.cedar-rapids.org/resident-resources/parks-recreation/ushers-ferry/pages/default.aspx

JULY

Coralville 4thFEST

July 2 to 4: S.T. Morrison Park. Carnival, entertainment, contests, food, July 4 parade and fireworks. Free concert Sunday with the Cedar Island Band, The Grass Roots and Herman’s Hermits. www.coralville.org/index.aspx?NID=310

Iowa City Jazz Festival

July 1 to 3: Down-town Iowa City. Well-known jazz musicians, up-and-coming artists, fireworrks. www.summerofthearts.org

Fairytale Festival, Cedar Rapids

July 16: 3 to 7:30 p.m., Ushers Ferry Historic Village, 5925 Seminole Valley Trl. NE. Storytellers, fairytale games, crafts, fairytale costume contest and parade. $8 adults; $4 ages 3 to 14; $1 off with costume. www.cedar-rapids.org/resident-resources/parks-recreation/ushers-ferry/pages/default.aspx

Nordic Fest, Decorah

July 28 to 30: Norwegian food and crafts, parade, entertainment, Saturday night torchlight parade and fireworks. www.nordicfest.com

Walker Pickle Days

July 28 to 30: Games, contests, 5K run/walk, food, parade, music, fireworks. www.walkeriowa.com

AUGUST

Hoover’s Hometown Days, West Branch

Aug. 5 and 6: Music, entertainment, Civil War encampment, rides and games, food, exhibits, Hoover-Ball championships, Hoover gravesite ceremony, free birthday cake, fireworks. www.hooverassociation.org/newsevents/hooverfest.php

Sauerkraut Days, Lisbon

Aug. 10 to 13: Food, carnival, music, contests. www.sauerkrautdays.com

St. Jude’s Sweet Corn Festival, Cedar Rapids

Aug. 12 to 14: 50 Edgewood Rd. NW. Carnival rides, kids’ games, raffle, fun run/walk, music, food, 14 tons of sweet corn. www.judes.org/Sweet%20Corn%20Festival%20Information/sweetcorn_festival.html

Sand in the City, Iowa City

Aug. 12 to 14: Downtown. Sand sculptures, food, kids’ activities, music. Free admission. www.summerofthearts.org

Woodfest, Amana

Aug. 26 to 28: Amana Colonies RV Park and Event Center, 3890 C St. Wood craft displays, demonstrations, seminars, food, tool and supply sales. Noon to 5 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; 10 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Free admission and parking. www.amanaartsguild.com

SEPTEMBER

FRY Fest, Coralville

Sept. 2: Iowa River Landing area. Hawkeye celebration with salute to Dan Gable, food, music. www.fryfest.com

Swamp Fox Festival, Marion

Sept. 8 to 11: Marion Square Park. Golf outing, food, music, craft show, 5K run and fun walk, parade. http://uptownmarion.com/things-to-do.html?item=238

BrewNost, Cedar Rapids

Sept. 23: 6 to 9:30 p.m., Veterans Memorial Stadium, 950 Rockford Rd. SW. Domestic and international beers paired with hors d’ourves. www.ncsml.org/Events/20110923/80/BrewNost-2011.aspx

Oktoberfest, Amana

Sept. 30 to Oct. 2. German bands, food and beverages, games, theater shows, parade, walking tours, museums open. Noon to midnight Friday; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. www.festivalsinamana.com