FAQ
Each year we field literally thousands of questions concerning Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival events. And that’s great. But for those times when we aren’t available to talk with you directly, here are answers to some of the questions we receive most often.
Please click on a category.
If your question isn’t addressed here, please call the Freedom Festival office at 319-365-8313 during business hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 5 PM.
What are the dates of the 2010 Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival?
June 13 - July 4
Where can I pick up the Freedom Festival 2010 Schedule of Events?
- Area Casey’s General Stores
- Citywide Cleaners
- Hy-Vee Food Stores & Drug Stores
- Cost Cutters
- Cedar Rapids Museum of Art
- Little Kings (Downtown Cedar Rapids)
- Freedom Festival office at 226 2nd St. SE in Cedar Rapids.
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Where can I purchase Freedom Festival 2010 Button & Coupon Packs?
- Area Casey’s General Stores
- Hy-Vee Food Stores & Drug Stores
- Cost Cutters
- Citywide Cleaners
- Cedar Rapids Museum of Art
- Little Kings (Downtown Cedar Rapids)
- Freedom Festival office
How much do Freedom Festival buttons cost this year?
Your modest investment of $3 in a 2010 Freedom Festival button helps cover the costs of this year’s festival that is once again filled with family-oriented educational and fun events and activities. Each button package is filled with valuable coupons; and, a number of lucky button buyers will find a gold button in their package and win $25, $50, $75 or $100, gold button certificates must be turned in to the Freedom Festival office at 226 2nd St. SE, and checks will be issued no later than the week following the conclusion of the 2010 Festival.
Your investment in the Festival is gratefully acknowledged and sincerely appreciated by the entire Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival, Inc. organization.
Where can I purchase Freedom Festival 2010 t-shirts?
Freedom Festival t-shirts and other merchandise are available at the Freedom Festival office, and will also be available at most Freedom Festival staff-produced events.
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Where are the Freedom Festival 2010 fireworks?
There are 3 great opportunities to view spectacular Freedom Festival 2010 fireworks sponsored again this year by Rockwell Collins. They include:
| June 18 |
Kirkwood Community College - following the Freedom Festival Classic Rock Concert featuring the Peter Cetera and Jimi Jamison |
| June 20 |
Kirkwood Community College - following the Freedom Festival Patriotic Pops Concert featuring Orchestra Iowa |
| July 4 |
"Celebration of Freedom" Fireworks, 9:45 PM - Downtown Cedar Rapids |
Where can I get information on the Ellis Boat Yard fireworks?
The Ellis Boat Yard fireworks are not produced by the Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival. All inquiries should be directed to: Mr. Dean Brown at 319-395-5218, or by mail at PO Box 1965, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404.
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Does the Freedom Festival allow alcoholic beverages on its venues?
Yes, and No.
Alcoholic beverages are NOT permitted on the Kirkwood Community College venues – specifically the Freedom Festival Classic Rock Concert Night and Freedom Festival Patriotic Pops Concert. This is a requirement of the State of Iowa and Kirkwood Community College – and it is one we respect and diligently enforce.
Carry-in alcoholic beverages in limited quantities are permitted on other venues
-- with the exception of the Celebration of Freedom Downtown venue -- within the existing statutes of the State of Iowa and City of Cedar Rapids. As always, to ensure the enjoyment of the events by all patrons, moderation in alcoholic beverage consumption is requested.
By order of the Chief of Police for the City of Cedar Rapids, NO alcoholic beverages will be permitted within the Celebration of Freedom July 4th Downtown venue.
Public intoxication will not be tolerated at any Freedom Festival venue, and individuals found to be intoxicated will be asked to leave or escorted from the venue by area law enforcement personnel.
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When and where will food be available for purchase during Freedom Festival-produced events?
| June 18 |
Classic Rock Concert at Kirkwood Community College |
| June 19 |
Patriotic Pops Concert Night at Kirkwood Community College |
| June 23 |
Freedom Festival Office Olympiad in Greene Square Park |
| June 26 |
IMAGINATION! Square in Greene Square Park |
| June 27 |
Freedom Festival Cardboard Boat Regatta |
| June 27 |
Marine Band -- Oorah Rock Concert in Green Square Park |
| July 1 |
Balloon Glow at Brucemore |
| July 4 |
Celebration of Freedom -- Pancake Breakfast, Buster's Tailgate & Beach Party, Action Zone, Fireworks |
Does the Freedom Festival permit carrying in food or beverages for special diets or infant/toddler needs?
Absolutely! Freedom Festival supports our loyal food vendors, but we understand that infants and toddlers have their own special formula needs or eating preferences. We are also very mindful that a number of Festival patrons have various medical conditions that dictate particular dietary items and schedules. As you enter a particular venue, if Staff or Volunteers ask you about your carry-in food items, please indicate that they are special medical dietary items. There is no need to reveal the nature of the medical condition.
What about coolers on the 2nd and 3rd Avenue Bridges and at the concerts on the Kirkwood Community College campus?
2nd & 3rd Avenue Bridges – No hard-side coolers are permitted in accordance with City policy. Soft-side coolers will be inspected for general security purposes.
No alcoholic beverages of any kind are permitted per the direction of the Chief of Police for the City of Cedar Rapids.
Kirkwood Community College venue concert events - NO coolers are permitted.
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Who will be the Freedom Festival 2010 musical entertainment?
Freedom Festival 2010 will feature an excellent line-up of national and regional talent, including:
| June 18 |
Classic Rock Concert Night w/Peter Cetera & Jimi Jamison |
| June 19 |
Patriotic Pops Concert w/Orchestra Iowa |
| June 25 |
U.S. Marine Corps Band - American Pride Concert - College Community Concert Hall |
| June 27 |
U.S. Marine Corps Band - Oorah Rock Concert |
| July 1 |
Balloon Glow w/Arch Allies |
| July 4 |
Music at the Pancake Breakfast, Buster's Tailgate & Beach Party, Music on the Island, Cedar Rapids Municipal Band |
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What can you tell me about the Freedom Festival Parade?
The Freedom Festival Parade will be held on Saturday, June 26 at 10 AM in downtown Cedar Rapids. Please contact the Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival office at 319-365-8313 for details. Entries forms are available on this website and are also available at the Freedom Festival office.
Will the KCRG Kids' Parade be held this year?
Yes. KCRG-TV9 is once again sponsoring the popular and ever-enjoyable KCRG Kids’ Parade on July 4. It’s a parade just for kids! No need to register, just line up on the 3rd Avenue Bridge in front of the Linn County Courthouse. Start time is approximately 10 AM.
Will the annual Pet Parade be held this year?
Yes. The Pet Parade has been revised to Pet Idol. It is now part of IMAGINATION! Square and is scheduled to begin at approximately 10 AM on Saturday, June 26 in Greene Square Park. As the name implies, this is a pet fashion show for your pets to strut their stuff and show off their finest threads. You may enter any kind of pet as long as it is under restraint and/or contained (on a leash or in a carrying case). A wading pool, full of water, is available for the dogs. All pets must be current on their vaccinations and have appropriate tags, in accordance with the City of Cedar Rapids ordinance pertaining to animals in parades, etc.
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Where can I park for the events at Kirkwood Community College?
Most parking lots on the Kirkwood Community College parking lot are open for free parking. Handicapped parking will be designated in the lot immediately across the street from the front of Jones Hall.
In addition, a very convenient, free shuttle bus service will run between Prairie High School and Freedom Festival events at Kirkwood, beginning at 5 PM and ending at 10:30 PM, Friday June 18th and Saturday, June 19th.
Will there be shuttle service for the Cardboard Boat Regatta again?
Yes. As veteran Cardboard Boat Regatta spectators and participants know, parking is limited at the Robbins Lake venue in Ellis Park. Arrangements are being made again this year to provide shuttle service from the Aegon parking lot to the regatta site.
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Are pets allowed on Freedom Festival venues?
ONLY at the IMAGINATION! Square Pet Idol event. Otherwise pets are not permitted on any Freedom Festival venue. Events are often crowded and some pets do not respond well to the added stress of crowded venues.
Are there regulations pertaining to pets in Freedom Festival parades and shows?
Yes. At a very minimum all pets must be up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations, and must wear a collar with the appropriate tag. In addition, the City of Cedar Rapids Code pertaining to animal treatment will apply in all cases. City of Cedar Rapids policies and procedures pertaining to this city code are under development and will be posted on this website when they are available.
Can "personal fireworks" be brought onto Freedom Festival venues?
Personal fireworks - including sparklers and snakes - are NOT permitted on the Kirkwood Community College venue, nor Downtown on the 2nd and 3rd Avenue Bridges and the Plaza area. Elsewhere Festival patrons are strongly encouraged not to bring personal fireworks of any form to help ensure the safety of everyone attending the Festival.
Patron safety is a primary concern for the Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival. Personal fireworks devices are NOT PERMITED on Freedom Festival venues. Patrons violating this policy will be asked to cease using the fireworks materials during the festival, or if necessary, will be asked to leave or be escorted from the venue by law enforcement or Cedar Rapids Fire Department personnel.
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Will there be a Cardboard Boat Regatta this year?
Yes. The annual Cardboard Boat Regatta is scheduled for Sunday, June 27 at Robbins Lake in Ellis Park. Register your boat at 10 AM, or pick up an on-site kit and make a boat right there at the park. The Media Challenge begins at 11:30 AM, and the first heats begin at Noon. Information about rules and building guidelines are available by calling the Freedom Festival office. Cardboard furnished by International Paper.
Will there be a Dragon Boat Festival this year?
Unfortunately there will not be a Dragon Boat Festival event this year.
Tell me about the Alliant Energy Fifth Season 8K Road Race, 5K Fun Run and Walk, Fifth Season Youth Mile Run and Kids Fun Run.
Please visit the Event Section of this website for complete information.
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"Celebration of Freedom" Fireworks music will be broadcast on KMRY-1450 AM, KDAT-104.5 and KHAK-98.1 at 9:40 PM on July 4th.
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Will there be public restroom facilities on the venues? Why are some restrooms not available to the public?
Public portable restroom facilities, including handicap-accessible units, are located at a number of locations at all Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival-produced events. These restrooms are strategically located within the venues to provide convenient access to event patrons, while maintaining a discrete distance from event viewing and dining areas.
On some venues the Freedom Festival is required as part of our contract with stage management and musical personnel to provide private access restroom facilities near the stage. Although these restrooms are not available to the public, other public restroom facilities are always located nearby.
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What will happen to all of the trash from the festival?
Our Good, Clean Fun Program, sponsored this year by GE Vendor Finance, tries to divert over half of the festival-generated trash from the landfill into recycling opportunities. This year Freedom Festival and its sponsors will be placing even greater emphasis on diversion of recyclable items from the landfill.
The Festival staff and sponsors urges each festival goer to enjoy the Festival to the utmost, and at the same time work with our volunteers to place trash in the appropriate bins provided throughout the venues.
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How can I or my group volunteer with the Freedom Festival?
If you are interesting in volunteering during the Freedom Festival, please call the festival office at 319-365-8313 and leave your name and telephone number and/or an email address. We will be filling the paid volunteer opportunities (Our WinWinWin Program, sponsored by Alliant Energy and Toyota Financial Services) with groups from Freedom Festival sponsor companies throughout May. At the end of May, the remaining shifts will be open to the public.
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Does the Freedom Festival have an official source for weather information?
Weather and other information will be available via the KMRY Weather Line/Freedom Festival Update Line at 319-393-0500 during the June 13 – July 4 festival dates.
Where will event cancellation information be posted?
Freedom Festival update and weather information will be available via the KMRY Weather Line/Freedom Festival Update Line at 319-393-0500 during the June 13 - July 4 festival dates. Information will also be posted on the KCRG-TV Online Cancellation page when possible.
In addition, all local and area news media will be provided with cancellation information. The Freedom Festival cannot guarantee these media sources will air or print the information, but the Freedom Festival is very appreciative of the fact that virtually all have been very supportive in this regard in the past.
If a concert is rained out this year, will there be any raindates?
As with any outdoor festival, weather is always a factor to be considered. In 2010 the Classic Rock Concert cannot be raindated. The Patriotic Pops Concert will be raindated to June 20 if necessary. Fireworks on July 4 WILL NOT be raindated. Cardboard Boat Regatta will be raindated if necessary .. those details are pending.
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Will the Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival be involved with the Fire & Ice Festival again in 2010?
Yes! Even as the
Freedom Festival team works to produce our signature festival in June and July, we are also working with the
Cedar Rapids Downtown District on plans for the 2010 Fire & Ice Festival on December 4, 2010. Keep checking back for more information.
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