Politics put aside at annual Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival

CEDAR RAPIDS - Steve and Lani Luckman sat at the end of a long table Tuesday morning eating pancakes and sausage, prepared for them as part of the annual Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival breakfast at the Veterans Memorial Building.

The couple, from Hiawatha, planned on heading over to the Freedom Festival Car Show on Third Avenue Bridge and finishing their day with a barbecue and fireworks.

Amid all the fun, the Luckmans said they enjoy the Fourth of July holiday because it celebrates independence, and 'that's what it's all about.” Lani Luckman, 49, added that to her, the Fourth of July means, 'The freedom of our country.”

Many would say the country has grown more politically divisive since the November election of President Donald Trump. in mid-June, thousands showed up for a Trump rally in Cedar Rapids both to support the president and protest against him.

Steve Luckman said he feels that under Trump's administration, the county has been 'good, if not better” and he 'likes what he sees.”

But Tuesday wasn't about politics or the presidency, but rather celebrating the nation as a whole, Lani Luckman said.

Decked out in a red, white and blue suit, Koby Pohlman, 20, of Mason City, said the Fourth of July is his favorite holiday.

'It's America's birthday and we get to celebrate the founding of our country,” Pohlman said while attending the car show, where more than 100 vintage vehicles were lines up. Later, he planned on tubing with friends and relaxing.

Pohlman said the Fourth of July is a time where the country unites on at least one issue.

'It seems like it is one day where everybody in our country is very supportive of our troops,” he said. 'The Fourth of July is the kind of day where everyone can get together,” Pohlman said. '(And) celebrate that we're all Americans.”

Robyn Rieckhoff, executive director of the Freedom Festival, said of the 40,000 buttons produced for the three-week event, nearly all of them had been sold.

She believes the annual celebration is all about community.

'I think people are more excited to be a part of their community and they're excited to see the pride in our community,” Rieckhoff said.

'It feels good.”

l Comments: (319) 368-8531; alexandra.connor@thegazette.com