Market After Dark to return Sept. 25

Market After Dark is set to return on Sept. 25 after being canceled in 2020.

The annual event, hosted by Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance and presented by Alliant Energy, will include live entertainment, vendors and food options.

“Market After Dark is one of our community’s favorite events and we’re so happy to see it return this year,” Ellie Evans, Market After Dark organizer for Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, said in a news release. “We’ve had many people ask us to bring back this fun night. We look forward to creating a festive and safe atmosphere that everyone can enjoy.”

The Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers’ Market is following all mandatory health regulations, including encouraging unvaccinated people to wear a face mask. Setup could look different from years past, due to COVID-19 and needing to adhere to health and safety protocols for a largely populated event.

Attendees 21 and older will be allowed to consume alcohol within the “open container environment,” which will be a specific section of the market.

Alcoholic beverages must also be consumed out of a reusable cup that is purchased at the market. The cup will cost $1, while beverages sold within the cup will be $5.

Julie Kraft, interim communications director at Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, noted that they are working with businesses to provide beverage services.

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