116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Market After Dark again draws crowd to downtown Cedar Rapids
The Gazette
Sep. 26, 2021 3:36 pm, Updated: Oct. 4, 2021 1:01 pm
Mike Rehberg, of Walker, grills pork during the Market After Dark on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in downtown Cedar Rapids. (Amir Prellberg)
Nagle Taylor, of Iowa City, hands out caramel apples Saturday during the Market After Dark. (Amir Prellberg/Freelance)
After being canceled last year because of the pandemic, the Market After Dark returned Saturday to downtown Cedar Rapids.
The popular annual event, hosted by the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance and presented by Alliant Energy, draws tens of thousands of people downtown to peruse vendor booths, listen to live music and enjoy a variety of food and drink options.
Cedar Rapids Market After Dark attendees start arriving Saturday on Third Avenue SE in Cedar Rapids. (Amir Prellberg/Freelance)
With more than 100 vendors, the total this year was slightly fewer than at previous events.
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“We’re doing a number of things to allow social distancing, encouraging masks and being mindful,” Julie Kraft, interim communications director for the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, told The Gazette last week.
Dan Potter, of Garnavillo, hands out samples of the syrup he makes. (Amir Prellberg/Freelance)
Lynn Hanson, of Cedar Rapids, serves Thai food during the Market After Dark. (Amir Prellberg/Freelance)
Alex Ondler (left), 8, and Ethan Ondler, 11, of Cedar Rapids, place lights in the life-size Lite Brite on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, at the Market After Dark in downtown Cedar Rapids. (Amir Prellberg/Freelance)