Freedom Festival parade moves to NewBo

CEDAR RAPIDS — The Freedom Festival parade has a new route this year.

Planned construction in Greene Square Park is displacing the annual event, which will run through the NewBo and Czech Village neighborhoods instead of downtown. A $1.95 million renovation is planned for the Greene Square Park this summer.

Imagination Square, a family event during and after the parade, is normally held in the park.

'We decided to move the whole series of events that coincide with the parade to the NewBo area,' said festival events and marketing director Liz Neff. 'It's for safety and security.'

The parade will be June 27, with festival activities taking place June 18 to July 4.

Imagination Square will take place on the NewBo City Market lawn, as will Hy-Vee's Taste of Freedom and Freedom Bop, all June 27. A flag retirement ceremony June 28 will be on the NewBo lawn stage.

Neff said for now the change is temporary — she anticipates the parade moving back downtown in future years.

The route will begin at C Street SW, travel northeast on 16th Ave. SW, cross the river before turning left on Third Street SE. Then it will turn right on Ninth Avenue SE and end at Fourth Street SE.

Recommended parking areas, street closures and other information will be posted at www.freedomfestival.com closer to the event.

The Fourth of July fireworks display will remain downtown.

2015 Freedom Festival events

June 18 — Tribute to Heroes dinner, The Hotel at Kirkwood Center, 7725 Kirkwood Blvd. SW

June 19 to 21 — Jump for Freedom — Dock Dogs, Kirkwood Community College, 6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW

June 21 — Insane Inflatable 5K, Kirkwood Community College, 6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW

June 23 — Balloon Glow, Brucemore lawn, 2160 Linden Drive SE

June 27 — Freedom Festival parade, Czech Village/NewBo area

Imagination Square, Hy-Vee's Taste of Freedom and Freedom Bop featuring The Legends and the Do's & the Don'ts, NewBo lawn

June 27-28 — Lego Extravaganza, NewBo City Market, 1100 Third St. SE

June 28 — Flag retirement ceremony featuring the Eastern Iowa Brass Band, NewBo lawn stage, 1100 Third St. SE

June 29 — Rock 'n' Bowl for Special Needs, Westdale Bowling Center, 2020 Scotty Drive

June 30 — Movie night at the ballpark, Veterans Memorial Stadium, 950 Rockford Road SW

July 3 — Music at the Museum featuring Bob Dorr and the Blue Band, National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, 1400 Inspiration Place SW

July 4 — Pancake breakfast, Veterans Memorial Building armory, 50 Second Ave. Bridge

Car/bike show, Third Avenue SE, downtown Cedar Rapids

Country concert, McGrath Amphitheatre, 475 First St. SE

Fireworks, downtown Cedar Rapids