FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Have a question? We can help!
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.
If your question is not addressed here, please call the Festival office at 319-365-8313 during business Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 3 p.m. Extended hours during peak season.
DATES & SCHEDULES
What are the dates of the Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival?
The Freedom Festival Produced Events start in the 3rd week of June with the first event beginning on June 14th. The festival culminates with the 4th of July fireworks celebration.
Where can I pick up the Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival Schedule of Events?
A limited number of Event Guides will be available for pick up at the Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival Office. BUT we encourage you to get the most up to date Freedom Festival Schedule of events online at: www.freedomfestival.com or download the new Freedom Festival APP!
BUTTONS & MERCHANDISE
Where can I purchase Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival Button & Coupon Book?
You can purchase a Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival Button at the following locations:
- Collins Aerospace Company Store
- Eastern Iowa Arts Academy
- Freedom Festival Office
- Hy-Vee Food & Drug Stores (Cedar Rapids / Marion)
- Casey’s General Stores
The Hy-Vee Coupon Book will be available at Hy-Vee Food & Drug stores in Cedar Rapids / Marion. To redeem the $5 off (a purchase of $75 or more) head to Hy-Vee with your tear off coupon. But you must do so by July 4th, 2022.
How much do Freedom Festival buttons cost this year?
$5
Each button contains one tear off coupon. The coupon is good for $5 off with $75 purchase at Hy-Vee. If you receive your button anywhere except Hy-Vee, just take the tear off coupon to a Cedar Rapids or Marion store to exchange for the Hy-Vee coupon book with over $20 in savings!
There will NOT be Gold Buttons in 2022. But there will be prizes given away at random during the 2022 festival. To get in on the “Gold Button” prizes, please register your email address. Find the form on the bottom of all pages at www.freedomfestival.com.
The Grand Prize of a $500 Hy-Vee gift card will also be selected from the registered email addresses, courtesy of Riverside Casino and Golf Resort.
Your investment in the Festival is gratefully acknowledged and sincerely appreciated by the entire Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival, Inc. organization.
Do children need a button?
Children ages 8 and under do not require a button at any buttoned events (i.e. DockDogs, VOLTA Music & Arts Festival, Laser Light Show, and 4th of July Concert and Fireworks).
Will you have 2022 Freedom Festival T-shirts available for purchase?
Yes! But only by pre-purchase May 16th-31st, courtesy of Ironside Apparel & Promotions, Inc. Shirts will be dark blue and feature a custom 2022 design. Pricing is $15 for sizes S-XL and $20 for sizes 2XL-5XL.
To purchase, head to https://www.interlink-pos.com/O37 and scroll down to the bottom of the page. Payment can be made online (with a small credit card processing fee) or you can pay cash at the Freedom Festival office.
FIREWORKS
Where are the Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival fireworks?
Once again in 2022, the firework launch site will be downtown Cedar Rapids on the 1st Ave bridge. This is back to the traditional launch site (not the same site in 2021 due to the 1st/1st construction project.) Seating will NOT be allowed on those green spaces, as the property is no longer the city of Cedar Rapids. Green State Credit Union and Terry Durin Company are the gracious sponsors this year for Iowa’s largest fireworks display. Kid’s Zone sponsor is once again Surgery Center of Cedar Rapids. Returning in 2022 will be FREE kid’s activity bags for the first 500 kids (12 and under) on the 2nd Ave bridge and the McGrath Amphitheatre beginning when gates open at 6 PM.
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
Does the Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival allow alcoholic beverages on its venues?
The Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival allows alcoholic beverages ONLY AT SPECIFIC EVENTS (listed below).
ONLY AT SPECIFIC EVENTS:
- BALLOON GLOW – JONES PARK - YES
- LASER LIGHT SHOW – HAWKEYE DOWNS – NO
- FIREWORKS – 2ND AVE BRIDGE – YES
- FIREWORKS – MCGRATH AMPHITHEATRE - NO
The Freedom Festival permits alcohol to be brought in to some events and the 4th of July Fireworks. Alcohol will be permitted to be carried in to these select events, however NO GLASS and SOFT SIDED COOLERS ONLY! – for safety concerns.
Public intoxication will not be tolerated at any Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival venue, and individuals found to be intoxicated will be asked to leave or escorted from the venue by area law enforcement personnel.
FOOD, SPECIAL DIETS & COOLERS
Does the Freedom Festival permit carrying in food or beverages for special diets or infant/toddler needs?
Absolutely! The 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. NO GLASS and SOFT SIDED COOLERS ONLY!
What about coolers on the 2nd Avenue Bridge?
Coolers will be allowed to be carried into the venue as long as they do not contain glass and
they are SOFT SIDED COOLERS ONLY! – for security and safety purposes.
MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT
Who will be the Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival musical entertainment?
The Freedom Festival always features an excellent line-up including military and regional bands. These groups vary from year to year. Please refer to the Calendar of Events for the year’s musical talent. Most of these concerts are FREE to the public (with a Freedom Festival button)
PARADES - VIEWING & ENTERING
What can you tell me about the Freedom Festival Parade?
The Freedom Festival Parade is generally held on the LAST Saturday morning of June at 10 AM. This year it is on June 25th. Parade routes may vary, so please refer to the Calendar of Events. Entry forms are available on this website during registration times and can be emailed by Freedom Festival staff. Please email info@freedomfestival.com for questions or concerns.
PARKING & SHUTTLES
Where can I park for Freedom Festival events?
The Freedom Festival prides itself in offering events all throughout the corridor at different communities and venues. Parking varies depending on the event and venue. Handicapped parking will be designated near the entrances. There will be shuttles offered for the 2022 Balloon Glow and Great American Kites event at Jones Park. Due to limited parking around Jones Park, we encourage you to park and ride our free shuttles. Shuttle pick-up/drop-off will be at Kirkwood Continuing Education Training Center (101 50th Ave SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404) Typically for our larger events, we will have golf carts available to help transport individuals to and front the parking areas.
PETS & PERSONAL FIREWORKS
Are pets allowed on Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival venues?
ONLY at the Jump for Freedom DockDogs event and the Freedom Festival Parade. Otherwise pets are NOT permitted on any Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival venue. Events are often crowded and some pets do not respond well to the added stress of crowded venues and what is typically a very hot time of year.
Are there regulations pertaining to pets in Cedar Rapids 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 posted on this website when they are available.
Can "personal fireworks" be brought onto Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival venues?
Personal fireworks – including sparklers and snakes – are NOT permitted on ANY venue. 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 PERMITTED on 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.
RESTROOMS
Will there be public restroom facilities on the venues?
Public portable restroom facilities, including handicap-accessible units, are located at all 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.
Within 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.
TRASH HANDLING
What will happen to all of the trash from the festival?
The Festival 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 hope each festival attendee enjoys the Festival, and at the same time works with our volunteers to place trash in the appropriate bins.
VOLUNTEERS
How can I or my group volunteer with the Freedom Festival?
YES!! We are excited for the return of the Win-Win-Win Program! Thanks to generous sponsorship by Alliant Energy and Toyota Financial Services we “pay” our volunteers! If you are interested in volunteering during the Festival, please CLICK HERE to register online. For each 4-hour shift you work, you can designate a non-profit organization to receive $25 per shift worked. A great way to funnel thousands of dollars into the community for good!
WEATHER & CANCELLATIONS
Where will event cancellation information be posted?
Festival update and weather information will be available via the Festival website and Facebook page.
In addition, all local and area news media will be provided with cancellation information. The Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival cannot guarantee these media sources will air or print the information, but the Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival is very appreciative of the fact that virtually all have been very supportive in this regard in the past.
