Events are plentiful in Eastern Iowa. Check them out

For those who say there’s nothing to do in our Eastern Iowa communities, they can look no further than last weekend as a rebuttal. There was barely a dull moment.

There was the BewNost fundraiser for the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library. The first ever Blocktoberfest rocked downtown Cedar Rapids. The last Cedar Rapids farmers market of the season was held, along with the Crunch Berry Run to fund public art, although both were abbreviated by bad weather. Thunderstorms also forced the cancellation of Brucemorechestra, which was set to once again bring Orchestra Iowa to the lawn of Brucemore.

And, of course, there was the Nevada at Iowa night football game, which was transformed into a surreal, festive marathon by repeated thunderstorm delays. Among the late night Kinnick Stadium gate crashers was a wedding party and at least one dog. It was a memorable night, and morning, for fans who stuck it out through the entire seven-hour saga.

So, yes, the weather didn’t cooperate. But last weekend shows the diverse array of events that have grown in the region and offer residents many entertainment options.

In particular, the success of events drawing people to downtown Cedar Rapids at night, including the August Market After Dark and concerts at the McGrath Amphitheatre, show there’s an appetite for evening events. They’re a shot in the arm for a downtown district seeking to adapt to the new reality of fewer workers occupying downtown offices during the day.

We support the full slate of events. And we hope to see an expanding list of evening events. Continued success in drawing people downtown can serve as a spring board for investments in entertainment venues that can bring residents downtown nightly, such as the First and First West project. Core neighborhoods including downtown, Kingston Village, New Bohemia and the Czech Village already offer great entertainment options, with new events and venues enhancing those’ neighborhoods’ power to draw residents and visitors.

There’s much to do in our region. Fall brings another full slate of events. We urge you to check them out.

(319) 398-8262; editorial@thegazette.com

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