116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Cedar Rapids’ new Summer in the Square event series aims to foster community connections
The mostly free event series will include a weekly rotation of youth-oriented and all-ages programming
May. 27, 2025 4:30 pm
The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
CEDAR RAPIDS — The city of Cedar Rapids hopes to foster a renewed sense of connection and community through the launch of a new downtown event series.
The city’s Summer in the Square series will run each weekday from June 9 to Aug. 15 in Greene Square on Fifth Street SE. It will include a mostly free mix of concerts, fitness classes, hands-on kids activities and more.
Per a city news release, the program is expected to draw hundreds of attendees to the park as part of a “strategic investment in both public health and downtown vibrancy.”
“Our team is focused on implementing programs that deliver measurable community value,” City Manager Jeff Pomeranz said in the release. “Summer in the Square supports local families, promotes physical activity and contributes to a more engaged and activated downtown.”
The series will include a weekly rotation of youth-oriented and all-ages programming.
Regular offerings include:
- Game On in Greene Square: 9 a.m. to noon each Monday and Wednesday, a mix of games, crafts and kids activities for children kindergarten through fifth grade.
- Family Nerf Night: 5 to 7 p.m. each Monday, a Nerf battle zone will be erected for family fun with Nerf blasters and goggles included. The program is aimed at children ages of 7 to 14 and their parents.
- Sports in the Square: 9 a.m. to noon each Tuesday and Thursday, sports programming for children ages 3 to 6. Classes will take place in 30-minute increments beginning at 9:15 a.m.
- Move in the Square: 6 to 7 p.m. each Tuesday and Wednesday, adult fitness programming for those 18 and older of any fitness level.
- Picasso in the Park: 10 a.m. to noon each Tuesday and Thursday, art programming geared toward children ages 3 through 6.
- Rollin’ Rec Signature Stops: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Friday, a mix of inflatables, magic shows, bubbles and more for children between kindergarten and fifth grade.
- Food Truck Friday: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Friday, a rotating lineup of area food trucks will be available for lunch orders.
Two live, low-cost concerts will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. each month from June through August. Attendees will pay a $5 admission fee that will be donated to a local nonprofit.
For a full list of events, visit CityofCR.com/SummerInTheSquare.
Comments: grace.nieland@thegazette.com
Daily Newsletters