Night skies across Corridor light up over July 4 holiday

Corridor groups are ready to lower the boom to light up the night skies over the Fourth of July holiday, unless Mother Nature decides to add her own fireworks.

Organizers will be monitoring the weather, and any changes, delays or cancellations will be made via websites and social media on the planned event days. While the National Weather Service predicts about a 30 percent of showers Wednesday night, the chances are roughly double that on Thursday night.

Wednesday, July 3

Cedar Rapids: As long as it’s dry Wednesday night, the Cedar Boat Club will be back in action with its Ellis Fireworks on the River, returning to its traditional date of July 3. The fireworks will be launched from Mohawk Park on the northeast side the river, across from Ellis Park on the northwest side.

“The water level forecast takes into account predicted rain and should not impact our ability to shoot as long as it's dry on July 3,” Jody Bowers, boat club secretary, said via email Monday. “Mohawk was still dry when the water levels were at their crest point, so we should be good.”

Prime seating is at Ellis Park and pool; Five Season Ski Show bleachers; northwest riverfront; Ellis Harbor; and surrounding areas. Food vendors will be on-site, and all visitors are asked to clean up after themselves.

Organizers said most of the parking spaces along Ellis Road will be blocked off for emergency services access. Parking in Ellis Park, at the Ellis Pool and ball diamonds, and in the surrounding neighborhoods is first-come, first-served.

Ellis Boulevard will be closed from Ellis Lane NW to 16th Street NW beginning about 6:30 p.m., also restricting vehicle access to Ellis Harbor. The Cedar Rapids Police Department may close other area streets as needed. So be prepared to walk.

A Cedar Rapids special police force has been hired to provide event security, with a command post near the Ellis Pool. Spectators are asked to alert uniformed police officers if they see suspicious or concerning activity or large groups of unsupervised minors. Parents are asked to not allow their teens to group up with their friends unsupervised, to stave of fighting, which has created problems in the past.

The Cedar Boat Club has provided a free fireworks display at Ellis Park & Harbor for more than 40 years, returning in 2023 after a three-year hiatus for the pandemic. Organizers estimate attendance at 40,000 spectators on both sides of the river, adding that it’s “one of the only shows in the area still lit by hand and completely funded and organized by a small, local nonprofit.”

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Thursday, July 4

Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival: Get your day started at the annual pancake breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m., returning inside the ImOn Ice Arena, 1100 Rockford Rd. SW. Cost is $10 or $5 with a festival button, and free for ages 5 and under. Don’t worry — the ice has been melted, so you won’t flip your flapjacks on your way to a seat. While you’re there, stop by the free car show, running from 8 a.m. to noon near the ice arena.

The Celebration of Freedom grand finale runs from 5 to 10:30 p.m. downtown, with food vendors and a Kids Zone around the Third Avenue Bridge. Head to the McGrath Amphitheatre, 475 First St. SW, for groovy tunes by Days Live Music at 5 p.m. and Alisabeth Von Presley at 7 p.m. A festival button, available for $10 on-site, is required for entry to the amphitheater; kids ages 5 and under do not need a button.

The fireworks will begin at dusk, with button-required seating for ages 6 and up at the amphitheater and on Third Avenue Bridge downtown opening at 5 p.m. The first 500 kids ages 12 and under will receive free activity bags at those sites. Seat-saving will not be allowed on the bridge or at the amphitheater during the day, and organizers said any early tarps, tents or seats will be removed. Security will be on-site to check bags.

The fireworks will be launched from the Second Avenue Bridge, which is closed to the public. Seating will not be allowed on First Avenue and First Street; within construction zones; on May’s Island; or on the First Avenue Bridge. Vehicle parking also is not allowed on the First Avenue Bridge.

Details: freedomfestival.com/calendar

Corridor Running will have runners of all ages hitting the streets from 7:30 to 10 a.m. downtown Thursday. Categories include an 8K race, 5K run/walk, youth mile run and a kids’ fun run. For details and routes, go to freedomfestival.com/calendar/5k-run-4th

The Five Seasons Ski Team has free shows slated at Ellis Park, 2021 Ellis Blvd. NW, at 7 p.m. today, Wednesday and Thursday, weather and river levels permitting. For updates, go to facebook.com/fiveseasonsskiteam

The Cedar Rapids Kernels also will be sporting postgame fireworks July 4 and 6.

Coralville: 4thFest activities will be happening all day in S.T. Morrison Park, 1500 block between Seventh and Eighth streets. Highlights include the parade at 10 a.m. and the fireworks at 9:45 p.m. If rain decides to steal the thunder, the events may be delayed or canceled. Any decisions will be announced online and social media. On Wednesday, get ready to rock with a free concert in the park at 6:30 p.m., featuring Trophy Dads at 6:30 p.m. and Yacht Rock Revue at 8 p.m. Details: coralville.org/310/4thFest

Friday, July 5

Iowa City: Whether you’re spending the day at the perennially popular Iowa City Jazz Festival or venturing downtown for the fireworks, prime viewing is on the Pentacrest lawn. Showtime is 9:30 p.m., up and over the Old Capitol Museum, 16 N. Clinton St. Festival details: summerofthearts.org/festival/2024-iowa-city-jazz-festival

Other towns

For other Eastern Iowa celebrations, go to thegazette.com/things-to-do/bang-up-guide-to-july-4-holiday-fireworks-2024

Or use our Fireworks Finder for area displays.

Comments: (319) 368-8508; diana.nollen@thegazette.com