Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival sparks kids mural project

CEDAR RAPIDS — The Freedom Festival is launching a new way for kids to let their star-spangled imaginations shine in a community art mural.

The popular Imagination Square and Building Block Extravaganza from years past are pivoting to an at-home printmaking adventure for kids ages 6 to 16.

Pieces created through free Kids’ Activity Boxes will be assembled into a mural displayed at the June 26 Volta Youth Music Festival at NewBo City Market. The Eastern Iowa Arts Academy is providing the supplies.

“When we started to take a look at what in-person programming would look like in 2021, we weren’t sure if families would feel comfortable with our normal kids’ activities like bouncy houses, face painting, sharing building blocks, etc., during a pandemic,” said Karol Shepherd, Freedom Festival executive director.

The art boxes begin rolling out at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 29, at these Cedar Rapids locations: Hy-Vee, 1556 First Ave. NE; and Hy-Vee Drugstores at 1520 Sixth St. SW, 2001 Blairs Ferry Rd. NE and 4825 Johnson Ave. NW.

The Cedar Rapids Parks & Rec Rollin’ Recmobile also will have boxes available from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. June 10 in Greene Square downtown, and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. June 11 in Bever Park.

The boxes are available on a first come-first serve basis, with a maximum of two per family. Completed prints can be mailed to the Eastern Iowa Arts Academy, 1841 E Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402, to be included in the mural.

The Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival, canceled in 2020, returns June 14 to July 4. For event details and updates, go to freedomfestival.com/ or facebook.com/CRFreedomFestival