Are you looking for fun family-friendly events in September around Cedar Rapids?
Look no further than our September Roundup of local activities.
FRYfest 2021 Friday Sept 3- 9:45am- 10pm
Join us FRYday, September 3 as we Celebrate the Legends! At this one-day event, you live, eat and breathe our beloved Hawkeyes. With activities ranging from the ‘World’s Largest Hawkeye Tradeshow’ to our signature Hawkeye Pep Rally…there is no shortage of activities to experience in Coralville’s Iowa River Landing. If your heartbeat escalates every time you hear Back in Black by ACDC, black and gold clothing is part of your primary wardrobe, or you simply love cheering on the Hawkeyes, FRYfest is a must experience for you!
Signature FRYfest activities include:
- Kid Zone
- FRYfest Games (NEW! Bags Tournament, Pickleball Tournament, and Basketball Tournament!)
- Food Trucks
- Outdoor Concert
- Panel Discussions
- Autograph Sessions
- Pep Rally
Fireworks & Fireflies Friday Sept 3- 6:00pm-9:30pm
The City of Marion is pleased to announce the return of Fireworks & Fireflies in 2021. This free event will take place at the Klopfenstein Amphitheater at Lowe Park, 4500 N. 10th Street, Marion, beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 3.
Although the event is typically scheduled in July, organizers decided to move the event to September to accommodate a larger crowd and help kick off the Labor Day holiday weekend. Future fireworks events are anticipated to take place in July.
Organizers are pleased to welcome Hanna Plumbing & Heating, Inc. as the event’s presenting sponsor. Additional sponsorship opportunities can be found at www.cityofmarion.org/fireworks.
Attendees should bring their own lawn chairs and blankets for seating. Coolers are permitted. Additional details will be made available at www.cityofmarion.org/fireworks as the event date nears.
A Year with Frog and Toad Sept 3- Sept 12, 6:30 pm
Live and Outdoors at Brucemore’s Arnold Lobel’s treasured characters hop from page to stage in a story of friendship and adventure! Waking from hibernation in the Spring, Frog and Toad plant gardens, swim, rake leaves, go sledding, and learn life lessons along the way. The two best friends celebrate and rejoice in the differences that make them unique and special. Part vaudeville, part make-believe… all charm, A Year with Frog and Toad tells the story of a friendship that endures throughout the seasons.
A hit on Broadway, A Year with Frog and Toad was nominated for three Tony Awards – including Best Musical. Based on Arnold Lobel’s well-loved books, and featuring a hummable score by Robert and Willie Reale, this whimsical show follows two great friends – the cheerful, popular Frog and the rather grumpy Toad – through four fun-filled seasons. Tickets start at $13 per child (12 and under) and $23 per adult
Farm Glow at Bass Farms- Saturday Sept 5- 5:00pm-9:00pm
Join us for our second annual Fall Farm Glow event!! We are excited to have Buzzard’s Glory Balloon Company out to “glow” THREE of their hot air balloons at dusk! Listen to some live music and bring the whole family for an evening of fun. Family games to enjoy are 18 hole mini golf, slingshots, bounce houses, teeter-totters, Giant Jenga, Giant Connect 4, Giant Tic, Tac, Toe tables, many fall photo opportunities, and much more!! Navigate your way through the corn maze before the balloons glow! Admission for this event is $6 per person. 2 and under are FREE. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets to settle in for a fun and relaxing evening watching the balloons “glow”! 16 flavors of super-premium ice cream available on site to pick from!
Face painting by Regan’s Face Painting (separate charge) and the Balloon Buffoon will be twisting balloons! (Part of admission)
Food: Willie Ray’s BBQ
Labor Day Picnic Sept 6- 11 am-4 pm
Thank a Union Member for Labor Day! Food served from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm Music by members of the Musicians Union and Entertainment for the Kids! Door Prizes!!!
Location: Hawkeye Downs 4400 6th St SW Cedar Rapids, Iowa
HARVEST HAYRACK NIGHTS at Usher’s Ferry: SUNSET PUMPKINS Sept 15 and 29 5:00-6:30 pm
Does your little one turn into a pumpkin at sunset? This program is geared for families with young children (older children welcome). Bring supper with you and come out to Ushers Ferry for an early evening hayrack ride, bonfire, and simple craft before bedtime. The saloon will be open with popcorn and sarsaparilla available for purchase. Advance registration is not required. Free for kids 5 and under, $6.25 for 6-17, $9.50 for adults, or $20/family (2 adults and up to 4 kids)
HARVEST HAYRACK NIGHTS at Usher’s Ferry: NIGHT OWLS Sept. 15 and 29- 6:30-8 pm
Enjoy an evening of old-fashioned fun! Take a hayrack ride through the valley, gather around a bonfire with hot cocoa to roast marshmallows, make a simple craft and join us in the saloon for some card games. Popcorn and sarsaparilla will be available for purchase
Free for kids 5 and under, $6.25 for 6-17, $9.50 for adults, or $20/family (2 adults and up to 4 kids)
Read to Dogs- Thursday Sept 17- 6:30-7:10pm
Trained, certified therapy dogs provide companionship to emerging readers as they earn a free library book and bookmark. Everyone is welcome to read to the dogs. Stay for a performance at 7 p.m.! Located at the Downtown Cedar Rapids Library
HOPEWalk Saturday, Sept 18th
The HOPEwalk is an event to raise awareness and funds for suicide prevention through Honoring (those we have lost), Openness (to start the conversation to help eliminate the stigma associated with mental illness and suicide), Prevention, and Education. The primary goal of the walk is to raise awareness. Funds that are raised stay local to support suicide prevention programs and initiatives in and around Linn County that meet and support the goals and mission statement of the HOPEwalk.
2021 HOPEWalk date is Saturday, September, 18th at Cherry Hill Park in Cedar Rapids. Show your support in person!
PIONEER & ARTISAN Expo and Craft Fair Sunday, Sept. 19, 1:00-5:00 pm
Enjoy living history demonstrations of old-world skills at Ushers Ferry Historic Village including historic foods, woodworking, and textiles; and try some old-fashioned games and crafts. Head to the saloon to buy a root beer, get some popcorn, and listen to live music. Food vendors, craft vendors, and artisans will be displaying and selling their wares on the grounds. Call 319-286-5763 for vendor registration information.
Ushers Ferry Historic Village FREE Admission
Charity Night at the Bass Farms Corn Maze with HOPEWalk- Friday, September 24, 6:00 pm-10:00 pm
Join us for a family fun night out on the farm navigating your way through the corn maze!! $1 of every admission will be donated back to HOPEWalk. Help us support a local non-profit and raise awareness about suicide and prevention All are welcome! Cost is $6 per person and 2 and under are FREE. Smiley’s Soups and Sandwiches will be at Bass Farms serving up food from 6-10 pm!
RARE Event- Saturday, September 25 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
The RARE (Raptor Advocacy Rehabilitation Education) Group’s annual Expo will be held at the Wickiup Hill Learning Center. View wings, talons, and more with family-friendly activities. Learn more about RARE and how they help the birds of prey that call Iowa home. Don’t miss out on meeting their LIVE raptors. Food truck onsite, enjoy goodies from Comfort Food 154. Program Cost: Free for all ages. No registration is required.
Market After Dark- Saturday September 25 6:30pm-11pm
Market After Dark is a go! So, make sure you clear your schedule for Saturday, September 25th. This will mark the sixth year for this unique nighttime farmers’ market. The hugely popular event will feature a variety of different vendors, many prepared food options, and nighttime entertainment throughout the downtown area.
Within the market venue, patrons 21 years and older, will be able to take part in an open container environment while wandering the market area. Market After Dark will follow mandatory health and safety guidelines to successfully execute the outdoor in-person market. Modifications to a traditional market may be necessary due to the global pandemic health crisis. Plans are subject to change based on evolving health and safety protocols.
Are we missing any family-friendly events in September? Let us know in the comments or on our Facebook page!
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