Freedom Fest spectators must adapt to fireworks changes

The 4th of July fireworks in Cedar Rapids will return to familiar downtown surroundings this year. But thousands of spectators who go to the Celebration of Freedom event will have to find somewhere new to sit and watch the show.

Freedom Fest organizers outlined some of the changes on Tuesday-with the biggest change being the location where the fireworks will get launched.  Prior to the 2008 flooding, the Freedom Fest used a barge in the Cedar River behind the Linn County Correctional Center as the launching platform.  But organizers say there are safety concerns in having so many explosive devices in a confined space.  So the decision was made to change the launch location.

This 4th of July, the company shooting off the fireworks will use the grassy plaza on May's Island located between the Veterans Memorial Building (city hall) and the Linn County Courthouse.

But that will mean radical changes in just where spectators can sit and watch. Many people preferred to sit on the May's Island plaza or the 2nd or 3rd Avenue bridges to watch. In fact, when the fireworks were downtown before spectators would arrive hours early to stake out a favorite viewing spot. But police will need to close the bridges at least an hour or so prior to the fireworks on the 4th and keep spectators at least  200 feet away from the plaza.

Russ Oviatt, Freedom Fest Marketing Director, said “it will be a challenge to help people to find new areas to sit, but we're working on that.”

Oviatt said the festival plans to set up a concert stage and main attractions at the Trolley Stop parking lot (Lot #20) located next to the Cedar Rapids Police Station. Another stop for viewers will be 1st Street N.W. where the kids Action Zone was located before. The activities for kids will move to a different spot.

Some people in downtown Cedar Rapids welcomed the return of the fireworks, but did have questions about the changes.

One frequent spectator, Billy Hallam, said “I can't see where they're actually going to be able to make people sit.”  But Loi Miller, another long time spectator added, “going back downtown is better.  My kids are teenagers and we've done it every year since they were babies.”  A number of people said any place downtown was preferable to having the fireworks at Kirkwood Community College due to traffic problems at that site.

Barb Hartgrave, a vendor who will work at the Trolley Stop lot on the 4th

Another change for this 4th, spectators should adapt. “There will be plenty of other places to sit-you don't have to be right up on them.”

There will be a total no alcohol policy inside the roped off viewing areas. Police will check coolers from anyone entering and those with alcohol will be told to remove it from the area.