The Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival Has 5 New Events in 2025

It may seem like summer is still far away, but the 2025 Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival will be here before you know it!

The Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival has rolled out the schedule for this year's events. The festival officially runs from June 26th to July 4th, but there are a couple of additional events that will happen in May. Here's a rundown of the 2025 schedule:

Freedom FEASTival

• Friday, May 2nd from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Greene Square Park, Cedar Rapids
• Featuring 15+ food trucks & vendors, live music, and kids' activities
• Event is free to attend

Food Truck Thursdays (NEW EVENT)

• Every Thursday from May 8th through August 14th from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Shuttleworth & Ingersoll Parking Lot on 6th Street SE, Downtown Cedar Rapids
• Food truck lineup TBA

Medallion Hunt

• Monday, May 19th at 6 a.m. through Wednesday, May 28th at 6 a.m.
• Cedar Rapids Metro Area (also includes Marion, Hiawatha, Ely, Palo, and Fairfax)
• "Every year, the Freedom Festival hides a special Medallion somewhere in the Cedar Rapids Metro area, and this year, it could be yours! The Medallion is a unique acrylic disc featuring the official design of this year’s festival. The hunt kicks off with 10 exciting clues, each bringing you closer to the hidden treasure! The first clue will be released on May 19th at 6 AM, with a new clue posted every day. Solve the clues, find the Medallion, and you could win a $500 Hy-Vee gift card!"
• KCRG and Z102.9 will reveal the clues each morning
• Participation is free - check out all the rules HERE

Freedom Drone Show (NEW EVENT)

• Thursday, June 26th from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• Tuma Sports Complex, Marion
• "...the Drone Show will kick off at dusk and will feature 400 drones for a beautiful and fun 20-minute show. Prepare to be amazed as drones take flight in a stunning light show, transforming the sky into a canvas of vibrant visuals. Prior to the Drone Show, come out to Tuma for live music from Birdchild, food trucks, and kids activities!"
• Entry is $20 per car (2 Freedom Festival buttons)

DockDogs

• Try DockDogs
  • Thursday, June 26th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Czech Village, Cedar Rapids
  • "The Let’s Try group of handlers who will be working with your dog are comprised of competitors from around the Midwest who have many years and many championships under their belts in a variety of dog sports and DockDogs. Listen to them, the advice they give is because they have seen what works and what doesn’t. Never competed before? No problem! Try DockDogs is designed for that very reason. Sign up and try something new with your furry friend this year!"
  • Registration is $22 - register online HERE
• Day 1
  • Friday, June 27th from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Czech Village, Cedar Rapids
  • Qualifying Duels & Dueling Dog Finals
• Day 2
  • Saturday, June 28th from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
  • Czech Village, Cedar Rapids
  • Big Air Waves & Extreme Vertical Competition
• Day 3
  • Sunday, June 29th from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • Czech Village, Cedar Rapids
  • Big Air Waves, Speed Retrieve Competition, & Big Air Finals
• Register for Dock Dogs HERE
• Freedom Festival Button required for entry - all competitors will receive free entry and a plus one

Cardboard Boat Regatta

• Saturday, June 28th from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Robbins Lake at Ellis Park, Cedar Rapids
• "Competitors will navigate an 'out and back' course starting and ending on the bank. The race format will see head-to-head heats of two boats, with each run timed to completion. The team with the fastest time to finish the route, will be the 2025 Cardboard Boat Regatta Winner! The Regatta is open to teams comprised of between two and eight participants (at least 16 years old) per boat. Teams are encouraged to get creative and have themed boats while adhering to design requirements."
• Registration is $42 - register online HERE
• Event is free to attend

Freedom Bike Ride & Kids Freedom Bike Ride

• Saturday, June 28th from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Starts at Big Grove Brewery, Cedar Rapids
  • Travels through Ely and Solon
  • Ends at NewBo City Market, Cedar Rapids
• Cost is $52 and includes free breakfast, a free beer at Big Grove Cedar Rapids, freebies, and deals at businesses along the route - register online HERE
• Kids Freedom Bike Ride
  • Saturday, June 28th at 2 p.m.
  • Ely
  • Ely City Park will have kids activities, food trucks, freebies from local organizations, and a bike decorating station from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Cost is free, but registration is still required HERE

Patriotic Fest: A Day of Community and Creativity (NEW EVENT)

• Saturday, June 28th from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• NewBo City Market, Cedar Rapids
• Featuring IMAGINATION! Square, the Volta Youth Music and Art Festival, Build Fest, interactive booths, hands-on activities, face painting, trackless train rides, freebies from organizations, food trucks, and a kids zone
• Freedom Festival Parade will take place through the NewBo/Czech Village District - register online HERE
• Event is free to attend

Tribute to Heroes Breakfast & Flag Raising Ceremony

• Tuesday, July 1st from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. (flag raising at 9:15 a.m.)
• Veterans Memorial Building, Cedar Rapids
• "Our Tribute to Heroes event is designed to celebrate the remarkable contributions of local heroes who have made a positive impact on the lives of others. From courageous first responders to compassionate volunteers, these individuals embody the spirit of unity and resilience that defines the community."
• 2025 Honorees:
  • Brian Eschen
  • Anne Dugger
  • John Thompson
  • Matt Kunkle (In Memoriam)
• Purchase tickets to the event HERE

Rock N Bowl

• Wednesday, July 2nd from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• SpareTime, Cedar Rapids
• "We are proud to offer this event for people with disabilities, their friends, and family to enjoy time together. The day will consist of free bowling at SpareTime in the Elite Suite! Other activities will include a photobooth and face painting."
• Freedom Festival Button required for entry (shoe rental is included)

Yoga on the Island (NEW EVENT)

• Friday, July 4th from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
• Mays Island, Cedar Rapids
• One-hour yoga class from Vella Yoga in Marion
• Freedom Festival Button required for entry

Pancake Breakfast

• Friday, July 4th from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
• Veterans Memorial Building, Cedar Rapids
• Finalized menu TBA
• Meals are $10, or $5 with a Freedom Festival Button - kids 5 and under eat free

Patriotic Pop-Up (NEW EVENT)

• Friday, July 4th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Veterans Memorial Building, Downtown Cedar Rapids
• "The Patriotic Pop-Up vendor market highlights small businesses, offering the public a chance to shop locally and support independent creators. From handcrafted goods to locally sourced treats, the market will provide a unique, community-driven shopping experience."
• Event is free to attend

Car Show

• Friday, July 4th from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• 2nd Ave Bridge, Downtown Cedar Rapids
• Vehicle registration is $22 ($25 day-of) - register online HERE (closes July 2nd at 12 p.m.)
• "The Car Show is a judged show with awards for top 25 and seven special categories including: Engine, Paint, Interior, Wheels, RatRods, Motorcycles, and Best In Show!"
• Event is free to attend

Celebration of Freedom

• Friday, July 4th from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• Downtown Cedar Rapids
• "...enjoy live performances at McGrath Amphitheatre, a variety of food trucks at the Amphitheatre and on the 3rd Ave Bridge, and kids activities including: face painting, bounce houses, balloons, and trackless train rides! Dalles Jacobus will kick off the evening on stage at 7 PM until 9 PM! Following his performance, fireworks will light up the sky thanks to J&M Displays! Food trucks and a kids zone will be available throughout the evening."
• Freedom Festival Button required for entry

Freedom Festival Buttons are $10 each and include a coupon book. Buttons are free for Veterans, and kids 5 and under do not require a button at all. The places you can purchase your button beginning on May 1st include:

• The Freedom Festival Office
• Hy-Vee Food & Drug Stores (Cedar Rapids/Marion)
• Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh Gas Stations (Cedar Rapids/Marion)
• Gate Entrance at Freedom Festival Produced Events
• Freedom Festival Website (must arrange time to pick up from office)