New Footprint For Cedar Rapids’ Celebration of Freedom Fireworks

Ongoing work in downtown Cedar Rapids is going to result in things being a little different for the Celebration of Freedom Fireworks on the 4th of July. It will impact the fireworks display each of the next two years, beginning this summer.

The Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival announced Tuesday morning that because of work on the flood wall on the southeast side of the Cedar River in Cedar Rapids, the fireworks will have a different footprint.

That means that on both July 4, 2023, and 2024, there will be seating on the 3rd Avenue bridge and at the McGrath Amphitheatre. No early seating will be allowed, for safety reasons.

No seating is going to be allowed on any of the other downtown bridges, including the 1st Avenue and 2nd Avenue bridges. There will also be no seating at Plaza Park, the grassy area between the 2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue bridges. As you can see in the image below, there will also be no seating along 1st St. SW.

Gates will open for the Celebration of Freedom Fireworks at 5 p.m. on July 4. Brass Transit Authority plays at the McGrath Amphitheatre at 5:30 p.m., with Vibe beginning at 7 p.m. They will play up to fireworks time, at dusk. The Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival says to "keep your eye out for an added surprise during this year's fireworks!"

The 40th Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival begins Wednesday, June 14 with events continuing through the 4th of July. Freedom Festival buttons are $10 and available at all Hy-Vee supermarkets in the area, as well as Hy-Vee Drug Stores and Fast & Fresh gas stations. The buttons are good for admittance to all five outdoor concerts and most of this year's events.