116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival to hold traditional parade downtown
Organization had previously announced walk-through parade format
CEDAR RAPIDS — The Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival on Wednesday announced it will have traditional parade downtown this year on Saturday, June 26.
Parade organizers have been considering a drive-through format for the parade, and “a lot of factors that had to fall into place for this announcement to happen,” Executive Director Karol Shepherd said in a statement.
“We have been working extremely closely with the city of Cedar Rapids and Linn County Public Health, and through the quick teamwork of our parade committee and board of directors, we are excited to be able to flip and offer a little bit of normal just a few short weeks away,” Shepherd said.
This year marks a return to more traditional activities throughout the festival after most of the events were canceled last year.
Go to freedomfestival.com/events/freedom-festival-parade/entry/ to register for this year’s parade. The early registration deadline is midnight June 14.
Registrants need to include a description of their entry for parade emcees to read live on KCRG 9.2 and from the judges table courtesy of KHAK.
Entry fees (until June 14) are:
- Military, veterans or public safety groups: Free
- Nonprofit groups: $35
- Commercial, business or non-public safety government organizations: $60
- Political campaign: $85
The festival runs June 14 through July 4.
The most up-to-date information is available at freedomfestival.com or on Facebook at facebook.com/CRFreedomFestival.
Comments: (319) 398-8494; marissa.payne@thegazette.com
The Freedom Festival parade rolls along Third Street SE during the 2019 Freedom Festival celebration in Cedar Rapids. Last year’s parade was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic, but it will return this year — on June 26 — in its traditional format. (The Gazette)
Karol Shepherd, Freedom Festival executive director
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