116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Summer’s last gasp? Here’s a few things to do this Labor Day
Summer's last hurrah is here. So what are you going to do today?
If you're going to go camping, chances are, you've already pulled your trailer or pitched your tent in one of Eastern Iowa's verdant parks.
Pools
Looking to take one last plunge under the sun?
l Noelridge Aquatic Center, 1248 42nd St. NE in Cedar Rapids, is open from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. for lap swimming, then 1 to 5 p.m. for the season's final open swim. www.cedar-rapids.org
l City Park Pool, 200 Park Rd. in Iowa City, is open from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
l Indoors: Recreational facilities at Iowa City's Robert A. Lee, 220 S. Gilbert St., and Mercer/Scanlon, 2701 Bradford Dr., will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Their indoor pools open at 1 p.m. www.icgov.org/pools
LAST CHANCE
l 'Overalls All Over,” through today. Launch a scavenger hunt to see the 25 whimsical depictions of artist Grant Wood's iconic 'American Gothic” twosome. The outdoor sculpture display, in honor of Wood's 125th birthday, has been up all summer in various points around Cedar Rapids, Robins, Marion, Amana and Eldon (site of the house that inspired the painting). Details: Croveralls.com Map: Croveralls.com/map
l 'The Discovery of King Tut,” closing today, Putnam Museum, 1717 W. 12th St., Davenport. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. More than 1,000 replicas of the most important finds in King Tut's tomb have been reconstructed by master Egyptian craftsmen using traditional techniques. Tickets: $15 to $19, Tutnam.org
Museums
l National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, 1400 Inspiration Pl. SW, Cedar Rapids: Here's your chance to show out-of-towners just how cool we are, with these world-class special exhibitions: 'Immortal: Warhol's Last Works,” featuring 36 pieces of late artist Andy Warhol's pop culture silk-screens, from the private collection of Wesley and Missy Cochran of Georgia; and 'Amadeus,” a multimedia look at the elaborate costumes and props from the 1984 film that won eight Academy Awards. It includes original design sketches, film clips, scripts, photographs and costumes, on loan from Barrandov Studio in Prague. Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission: $3 to $10, free ages 5 and under. http://www.ncsml.org
l Herbert Hoover Presidential Library-Museum, 210 Parkside Dr., West Branch: 'Little House” fans learn even more at 'Laura Ingalls Wilder Remembered.” Author William Anderson will discuss his research and writing connected with the 'Little House” pioneer classics, and his work in compiling the recent New York Times best-selling book, 'The Selected Letters of Laura Ingalls Wilder.” Times: 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., Figge Auditorium; free with paid museum admission, $3 to $10, free ages 5 and under. Hoover.archives.gov
l National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, 350 E. Third St., Dubuque. Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. 'Dinosaurs Unearthed,” a 6,000-square-foot exhibit featuring animatronic dinosaurs and a primitive bird, fossils, interactive stations, skeletons and more. Admission: Various combinations; basic admission $10 to $15; add $5 for 'Dinosaurs Unearthed”; Total Experience with two 4-D films $19 to $21. www.rivermuseum.com
RECREATION
l Linn County Mayors' Bike Ride: The 8-mile route starts in Ellis Park in northwest Cedar Rapids, goes through downtown to Coe College, Cedar Lake Loop, back downtown and finishes in Ellis Park. Also: 2.5 mile fun ride. Registration: 9 to 10 a.m. at the Ellis swimming pool parking lot. Opening ceremonies, 10 a.m., ride follows. It's an open route, with volunteers providing directional information. Admission: free; helmets must be worn. Linncountytrails.org/MayorsBikeRide/
l Five Seasons Dog Show: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Amana Colonies RV Park & Event Center, 3890 C St., Amana. Admission: $3. Learn about your favorite breed, watch obedience and rally competitions and shop the vendors. www.tricitykennelclub.com
l Five Seasons Ski Team Waterski Show: 5 to 6:15 p.m., Ellis Park, 2021 Ellis Blvd. NW, Cedar Rapids. Features daredevil jump acts including helicopters and flips, 50 mph barefoot pyramids, and world record-level pyramids with 30 or more skiers. Admission: free, bring seating; park bleachers and concessions on site. 5sst.com
'Andy & Edie,' an art piece by Julius Cavira from the 'Overalls All Over' Grant Wood tribute, graces the front roundabout at the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library. Inside, visitors can see 'Immortal: Warhol's Last Works,' featuring 36 pieces of the late artist's works. (Justin Torner/Freelance)
Today (9/5) is the last day to see replicas of the treasures of King Tut's tomb, on display in a mammoth exhibition at the Putnam Museum in Davenport. (Theodor Oskar Krath)
A life-size animatronic allosaurus roars in the 'Dinosaurs Unearthed' exhibit at the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium in Dubuque. The 6,000-square-foot exhibit, which features 15 life-size animatronic dinosaurs, will be open through Oct. 10. (Stephen Mally/The Gazette)
Artist Elizabeth Rhoads Read of Cedar Rapids paints the first Overalls All Over statue outside the NewBo City Market during the 2015 NewBo Arts Festival in Cedar Rapids. In celebration of Grant Wood's 125th birthday, 25 life-size sculptures depicting the subjects in his iconic 'American Gothic' decorated by local artists have been on display around Eastern Iowa. They will be taken down after today. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
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