Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival

More than just a three-week festival, the Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival is a non-profit organization who works year-round to plan safe, family-friendly, and low or no-cost events for the community!

Schedule:

8:00am - 8:00pm: Dock Dogs at Kingston Stadium

The Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival is looking forward to MULTIPLE days of Dock Dogs (a series of competitive dog jumping events held around the world each year). Dock Dogs consists of three main aquatic events: big air, extreme vertical, and speed retrieval.

FREE with 2023 Freedom Festival button! Buttons will be available at the door ($10 per person-kids 5 and under FREE)

Schedule:
Extreme Vertical – 8:00 am
Big Air WAVE # 7 – 12:00 pm
Big Air WAVE # 8 – 2:00 pm
Big Air WAVE # 9 – 4:00 pm
Big Air WAVE # 10 – 6:00 pm
Big Air WAVE # 11 – 8:00 pm

Returning to Kingston Stadium (North Fields), come join us for some exciting competition! Dock Dogs is the perfect event for both human and canine! As seen on ESPN, ABC, and Outdoor Channel, Dock Dogs has evolved to the fastest growing sport for our four legged friends.

DOGS ARE WELCOME but require following these rules:
1. All dogs must be accompanied by an adult (18 and over)
2. Owners must clean up after their dogs
3. Dogs must have their rabies shot and shot ID to attend
4. Dogs must be good around other dogs and/or crowds.
5. We will have doggie pools available, but if it’s hot, think first about how your dog will handle the heat!

10:00am: Freedom Festival Parade at Downtown Cedar Rapids

Nothing! So, you do not want to miss the 2023 Freedom Festival parade–returning to Downtown Cedar Rapids on June 24th!

Awards will be given for the following categories:
-Judges’ Choice
-Most Patriotic
-Originality / Best Use of Theme (MARCHING FORWARD TOGETHER)
-Best Performance / Use of Music
-The Leonard Pfeifer Award – Best Original Float

11:00am - 1:00pm: Imagination Square by Tanager Place! at Greene Square

We are excited to announce that IMAGINATION! Square returns in 2023, powered by Tanager Place! With the 2023 parade returning to downtown Cedar Rapids, we’ll be taking over Greene Square for all the fun following the parade!

This event provides FREE family-friendly, educational interactive booths, hands-on activities, fan favorites like a bouncy house, face painting, the Freedom Festival Express trackless train rides, basketball shoot out by Team Iowa, and freebies from area businesses and organizations!

And back by popular demand, the Jr. Firefighter Challenge returns to Imagination Square by Tanager Place, courtesy of the Cedar Rapids Fire Department! Activities are all FREE and will end at 1 PM.

11:30am: Kid's Parade at Greene Square

Back by popular demand, it’s the return of the Kid’s Parade! Grab your wheels and decorate with Red, White, and Blue, and Stars & Stripes! The more patriotic, the better! Staging will be at the Paramount Parking Lot (301 1st St, Cedar Rapids, IA, 52401) beginning at 11:15 AM. Parade will step off at 11:30 AM down 3rd Ave and will end at Greene Square park! All are invited to participate or line up along 3rd Ave to cheer on the kids!

Stick around for all the fun at Greene Square Park: FREE to all!

1:00pm - 6:00pm: Volta Youth Music and Art Festival at Greene Square

The Freedom Festival is proud to announce the return of the Volta Youth Music & Arts Festival in 2023! Join the Eastern Iowa Arts Academy for a full day of incredible music and art at Greene Square! Beginning at 1 PM you’ll enjoy youth rock bands and other area youth musicians as well as performances from local, professional rock bands!

1 PM – 6 PM: Music on Stage
1 PM – 6 PM: Art in the Park