Freedom Festival Parade
Indulge in the ultimate trifecta of joy—candy, friends, and music—at the 2024 Freedom Festival parade, returning to Downtown Cedar Rapids on June 29th! Don't let this extravaganza pass you by.
Please see Parade rules below.
Register a parade entry! Be prepared to showcase your creativity and spirit as awards await in categories of Judges' Choice, Most Patriotic, Originality/Best Use of Theme (Celebrating 175 years of Cedar Rapids) , Best Performance/Use of Music, and The Leonard Pfeifer Award - Best Original Float. Stay tuned for the exciting announcement of parade winners at Greene Square, immediately following the parade festivities. Awards will be announced immediately following the parade.
Plus, stick around after for IMAGINATION! Square by Tanager Place taking place at Greene Square from 11 AM to 1 PM!
The 2024 Parade Rules and Guidelines
All entries are subject to approval by a Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival Representative and local law enforcement.
Military – Free
501(c)3 - $40 – EIN needs to be provided
Business/commercial - $65
Political – $95
ALL VEHICLES MUST BE DECORATED.
2024 THEME: Celebrating 175 years of Cedar Rapids
Maximum Entry height is 13’, Maximum width is 24’0, Maximum length is 55’0”
EACH ENTRY IS ALLOWED 3 MOTORIZED VEHICLES.
NO RAGBRAI / PARTY BUSES
All entries must provide their own identification, signs, etc.
The Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival will issue a parade number to be adequately identified by the judges and spectators.
By submitting this Entry Form, you agree to release the Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival and our sponsors from liability for any injuries or damage that may occur (a) to any participant in your entry; and, (b) as a result of actions by any participant or component or portion of your entry.
All participants must obey Parade Marshals at all times.
Candy may be passed out to spectators on roadsides, hand-to-hand ONLY. For safety reasons, throwing candy or other objects into the crowd is NOT PERMITTED.
The Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival has been granted a permit allowing live animal entries in the parade. No special requirements are in place, however, should air temperatures be extreme at parade time, we may be required to remove certain animals from parade participation. Please be certain all animals are current on their vaccinations and wear appropriate tags if applicable; and provide ample fresh water for your animal(s). Also, please be prepared to immediately collect from the parade route any feces generated by your animal(s).
No littering or discarding of decorations or other materials on public streets or private property, including dumpsters.
All parade participants must be respectful of all parties. Any violation will be cause for removal without a refund.
Any violation of parade rules will result in immediate removal from the parade and any future participation.
The beliefs expressed by participants in this parade do not necessarily reflect the beliefs of the Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival.
All parade entries will be judged, and awards will be handed out at 11:35PM at Greene Square.
Judges’ Choice
Most Patriotic
Originality / Best Use of Theme
Best Performance / Use of Music
The Leonard Pfeifer Award - Best Original Float
What’s better than candy, friends, and music?
Nothing! So, you do not want to miss the 2024 Freedom Festival parade–returning to Downtown Cedar Rapids on June 29th!
A copy of the parade rules are available here:
www.freedomfestival.com/calendar/parade
Awards will be given for the following categories:
• Judges’ Choice
• Most Patriotic
• Originality / Best Use of Theme (Celebrating 175 Years of Cedar Rapids)
• Best Performance / Use of Music
• The Leonard Pfeifer Award – Best Original Float
Parade winners will be announced at Greene Square immediately following the parade
(this is also where IMAGINATION! Square by Tanager Place will be held from 11 – 1 PM!)
THANKS TO THESE SPONSORS FOR MAKING THIS EVENT POSSIBLE!
