116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Market After Dark lineup announced for 2023
High & Mighty to headline main stage
Jul. 25, 2023 6:00 am, Updated: Jul. 25, 2023 8:11 am
CEDAR RAPIDS — Market After Dark returns for its eighth annual celebration in downtown Cedar Rapids on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023.
The free, outdoor open container event features more than 100 vendors, live entertainment, special lighted attractions and games. The event — one of the most popular downtown events with 30,000 to 50,000 attendees each year — also has a few new features in store this year.
In addition to two stages of live entertainment throughout the evening, this year’s evening market includes a lighted alley complete with a string quartet and hall of mirrors, as well as a kid-friendly campfire and picnic area.
Dozens of games can be played at Game Zone in Greene Square, and photo opportunities will be available at the Welcoming Week wings in the Fourth Avenue SE parking garage.
If you go
What: Market After Dark 2023
Where: Second, Third and Fourth avenues SE in between Second and Fifth streets SE in downtown Cedar Rapids
When: 6:30 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 26
Cost: Admission is free; Beer and wine available for $7; non-alcoholic beverages start at $3
Details: Guitarist Kevin Moore will open for headliner High & Mighty on the main stage at Fourth Avenue and Fifth Street SE. A variety of local talent will be rotating throughout the evening at a second stage at Second Avenue and Second Street SE.
For more information: visit cedarrapids.org
“Market After Dark is a terrific opportunity to bring the community to our vibrant and fun downtown district,” said Doug Neumann, executive director of the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance. “We look forward to this event every year, as it supports local businesses, entrepreneurs and our surrounding communities.”
This year’s live entertainment headlines High & Mighty on the main stage from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., with guitarist Kevin Moore opening from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. A variety of local talent will rotate on the second stage at Second Avenue and Second Street SE.
From 6:30 to 10:30 p.m., patrons over 21 can enjoy beer and wine in designated market areas with specially marked cups for $7. Canned soda and water will be available in the non-alcoholic beverage tent located in Greene Square for $3; Millstream soda and floats start at $4. Open container drinking ends with the event at 11 p.m.
This year’s Market After Dark complements an expanded outdoor concert series in Cedar Rapids that started in May, featuring open container drinking and street food vendors. The final concert, BLOCKtoberfest II, will end the series for the year on Sept. 22.
“With the success of BLOCKtoberfest last fall, we knew we had to do more of these concerts and are excited to bring different genres of music to appeal to a variety of crowds,” said James Klein, vice chair of the Downtown SSMID (Self-Sustainable Municipal Improvement District), in May.
After downtown declines in traffic, the new events followed in the success of Market After Dark as part of a broader, long-term vision to revitalize the core district.
“We wanted to share our vibrant downtown with those who may not have reason or occasion to come down very often. This concert might be that option to have them enjoy downtown, get to know downtown and eventually spend more time downtown,” said Klein. “We really want to show off the new downtown that has so much more than business. It has anything anyone would want or need.”
Details on future events, including times and how to purchase tickets will be announced by the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance’s Facebook page, website and calendar of events.
The Gazette is a presenting media sponsor of Market After Dark.
Comments: (319) 398-8340; elijah.decious@thegazette.com
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