Your Complete Guide to the Mayor’s Fireworks in Waterloo

You can't have an Independence Day celebration without fireworks!

This year, Red, White, & Loo the Mayor's Fireworks is returning to the heart of Downtown Waterloo. The evening will be full of good food, good music, and of course a stellar fireworks extravaganza.

If you're going to check out the fireworks this year, we've got you covered with everything you'll need to know about this huge summer spectacle.

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When Is It?

The city event is set for Saturday, July 6th from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM. 

City officials confirm that the fireworks will kick off at 10:00 PM that evening.

Where Is It?

This annual 4th of July tradition will take place along the Cedar River downtown. 

The fireworks will go off over the Cedar River in downtown Waterloo.

There will be a Family Fun Zone that you can take the kiddos to. It will be set up in the North Plaza between Jefferson and Commercial Streets. This spot will have interactive displays, games, and activities, according to officials.

Mayor Quentin Hart also said that you CANNOT watch fireworks from the 1st street bridge.

When Will the Roads Start to Close?

The designated streets are set to close at approximately 3:00 PM, according to the Waterloo mayor and most of them will reopen after the fireworks comes to its conclusion.

Here are the road closures that you should keep in mind when heading out to the event on Saturday:

• Washington to West 3rd
• Park Avenue to Jefferson Street
• Jefferson from Park Avenue to West 3rd
• West 3rd from Commercial to Cedar Street
• Cedar Street from Park Avenue to West 3rd Street
• Cedar Street to West 4th Street to West 5th Street
• Commercial Street from Park Avenue to West 3rd Street

5th Street Bridge closed from 4:00 PM to 11:30 PM

4th Street Bridge closed 9:00 PM to 10:30 PM

Handicap Dropoff

This will be at the Riverloop Ampitheatre, and there will be limited handicapped parking spots.

Another option is at the Expo Public Market Parking Lot which will be reserved for handicapped parking ONLY.

Is It Just Fireworks?

No! It's actually a huge community event. There will be entertainment on not one, but two stages!

Musical acts will be performing at the Expo Plaza and the Riverloop Ampitheatre.

Expo Plaza Lineup

6:00 PM ~ First Crusaders

6:30 PM ~ Drum Iowa

7:00 PM ~ BitterSweet Nation

8:30 PM ~ Fusion Dance

9:00 PM ~ Dirty Muggs

Riverloop Ampitheatre Lineup

6:00 PM ~ Cedar Valley Big Band

7:00 PM ~ Fusion Dance

7:30 PM ~ Waterloo Cedar Falls Symphony Orchestra

8:45 PM ~ Hip Hop Literacy

9:15 PM ~ California & Sunnyside

In addition, there will be two beer tents and two sets of food vendors.

The Family Fun Zone will be open 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM that evening.

Where Should I Park?

Now, this is where some might get a bit nervous. Luckily, the city has given some suggestions on where you should be going ahead of the event.

General parking is available at the following locations;

• Waterloo Center for the Arts (255 Commercial Street)
• Cedar Valley Sportsplex (300 Jefferson Street)
• Young Arena Parking Lot (125 Commercial Street)
• Commercial Street Parking Ramp (180 West 5th Street)
• Under the 218 Overpass

Also, there will be street parking available on roads that are not closed.

See what else Mayor Hart has to say about the event in an official video from the city's Facebook page.

For any additional information about the event, make sure to check out the official Waterloo city website here.

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