Events for Friday, August 14th, 2026.
Hey there, Cedar Rapids! 🎉
Welcome to Cedar Rapids Daily, your quick guide to everything happening across Eastern Iowa! In today’s episode for Friday, August 14, we’re highlighting wellness activities, arts and cultural experiences, family fun, free community events, live music, theater, local racing, festivals, and plenty of opportunities to get out and enjoy the weekend. Whether you’re looking to stay active, get creative, enjoy live entertainment, spend time with the family, or discover something new, Cedar Rapids Daily helps you find what’s happening across Eastern Iowa—in five minutes or less.
A big shoutout to our sponsors, Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust for helping make Cedar Rapids Daily possible and supporting all the amazing things happening in our community.
☀️ Cedar Rapids Daily | Friday, August 14
🌧️ Friday Forecast
Showers and storms are likely, with a high of 79° and a low of 71°. Keep an umbrella handy and have an indoor backup plan as you enjoy a busy Friday across Eastern Iowa.
Hightlights:
🎭 Dear Evan Hansen at Theatre Cedar Rapids
🎪 Palo Fun Days
🎒 Back 2 School Bash
🍦 Summer in the Square – Ice Cream Social
🎶 Music in the Courtyard: The Name Is Bond. James Bond.
🎸 Rock the Block 2026
🏎️ NASCAR Local Racing & American Iron Racing Series
🎨 Moravian Folk Art Workshop
🖼️ Free Summer Admission at the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art
🌿 Health, Wellness & Community
💪 GeriFit
🕗 8–8:45 a.m. | Ely Public Library | FREE
A strength, balance and mobility class designed for adults 60 and older.
🧘 Baby & Me Yoga Summer Series
🕚 11 a.m.–12 p.m. | Toula Yoga | $20 drop-in or $78 for six weeks
A gentle postpartum class featuring movement, breathwork, baby massage, relaxation and connection with other new moms.
🍽️ Encore Café
🕦 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | Marion Public Library | Registration required
Enjoy a dietitian-reviewed meal while connecting with others through activities focused on health, wellness and socialization.
💪 GeriFit
🕐 1–1:45 p.m. | Ely Public Library | FREE
Build strength, balance, flexibility and mobility with this fitness program for adults 60 and older.
🌳 Becoming the Elder Tree: Purpose in the Second Half of Life
🕡 6:30 p.m.–Sunday, Aug. 16, 1 p.m. | Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center | $195 commuter / $255 retreat
A weekend retreat exploring purpose, wisdom, elderhood and how we can nurture others and our communities.
🎨 Arts, Culture & Learning
🧩 Puzzle Lovers, This One’s for You!
🕘 9–10 a.m. | Hiawatha Public Library
Bring your love of puzzles and enjoy a morning challenge with fellow puzzle enthusiasts.
🎭 Moravian Folk Art Workshop
🕤 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m. | National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library | $25 members / $30 non-members
Learn traditional Moravian folk-art techniques directly from visiting artists while creating your own hands-on project.
🖼️ Gallery Talk: Grant Wood’s Memorial Window
🕚 11–11:30 a.m. | Veterans Memorial Building | FREE
Learn about Grant Wood and his landmark stained-glass Memorial Window during this casual 30-minute presentation.
✍️ Community Writers Circle
🕐 1–2 p.m. | Hiawatha Public Library
Bring your creativity and connect with fellow writers during this adult writing group.
🎨 Friday Afternoon Magic
🕝 2:30–4:30 p.m. | Cedar Rapids Public Library | FREE
Play Magic: The Gathering or Pokémon, meet fellow players and get help learning the games.
🎭 Defying Gravity
🕢 7:30–10 p.m. | First Street Community Center Uptown Theatre
MVLCT presents Jane Anderson’s Defying Gravity, a dramatic exploration of ambition, loss and meaning following the Challenger disaster. Aug. 14 is an ASL performance, followed by a free talkback with the cast and creative team.
🎤 The GTT Listening Room: Broadway & Beyond
🕖 7 p.m. | Giving Tree Theater
Josh Payne presents a one-man show featuring Broadway favorites from RENT, Les Misérables, Dear Evan Hansen and more, along with his original music.
🎶 Music & Entertainment
🎼 Music in the Courtyard: The Name Is Bond. James Bond.
🕖 7 p.m. | Brucemore | Tickets required
Enjoy iconic James Bond songs reimagined by Gerard Estella and performed by Stephanie Goff and Allison Yoder in Brucemore’s historic carriage-house courtyard.
🎸 Rock the Block 2026
🕕 6–8 p.m. | NewBo City Market | FREE
Enjoy live music in the Market Yard with the Evan Stock Band taking the stage.
🎤 Pop-Up Acts in the Artway
🕕 6–8 p.m. | Uptown Artway, Marion | FREE
Catch the Boot Jack Duo during this summer series of free live music in Uptown Marion.
🎸 Dogs on Skis
🕕 6–9 p.m. | Gutheridge Park
Spend the evening in the park with live music from Dogs on Skis.
🎸 Rollin with Jen Trio
🕖 7–10 p.m. | Sag Wagon
Enjoy the debut performance of Rollin with Jen Trio at Sag Wagon.
🎸 Lost in America Live
🕗 8 p.m. | The Shack Tavern
Enjoy an evening of classic and Southern rock with Lost in America.
🎶 Iowa Metal Underground Fest
🕖 7–11 p.m. | CSPS Hall
The two-day metal festival returns with 19 bands from across North America, with Friday’s preshow headlined by Chicago’s Gored Embrae.
⚾ Sports & Recreation
⚾ Cedar Rapids Kernels vs. Wisconsin
🕒 Time not provided | Veterans Memorial Stadium
Head to the ballpark as the Kernels take on Wisconsin.
🏎️ NASCAR Local Racing Series & American Iron Racing Series
🕖 7–9 p.m. | Hawkeye Downs Speedway | $0–$15
Enjoy live local racing, including the American Iron Racing Series. Gates open at 6 p.m., with races beginning at 7:05 p.m. Friday is Hawaiian Shirt Night.
🥋 Little Ninja Warrior Class
🕔 5–7 p.m. | Line Drive Sports Complex, Marion
Kids ages 2–7 can run, climb, jump and balance through a 100-foot-plus obstacle course.
👨👩👧 Family Fun
🍦 Summer in the Square – Ice Cream Social
🕔 5–7 p.m. | Greene Square Park | FREE
Cool off with free ice cream, games, music and family-friendly fun downtown.
🎒 Back 2 School Bash
🕔 5–7 p.m. | Greene Square Park | FREE
Students entering kindergarten through fifth grade can receive school supplies while enjoying inflatables, face painting, balloon creations, games and ice cream. Supplies are available for the first 500 children.
🎬 Movie Night at the Farm
🕗 8:15 p.m. | Old MacDonald’s Farm, 2700 Bever Ave. SE | FREE
Bring the family to the farm amphitheater for a sunset showing of Monsters University. Come early to visit the animals and bring your own non-alcoholic drinks and snacks.
🎲 Dungeons & Dragons
🕕 6–7:30 p.m. | Hiawatha Public Library
Teens and tweens can join an adventure and play Dungeons & Dragons with fellow gamers.
🎉 Festivals & Special Events
🎪 Palo Fun Days
📅 Aug. 13–15 | Zeller Memorial Park, Palo
Enjoy a full weekend of bands, a Friday DJ, parade, 5K, bingo, kids’ activities, smoking competition and a beverage tent. Costs vary by activity.
🍔 El Kahir Basket Night
🕠 5:30–7:30 p.m. | El Kahir Shrine | $10
Choose a hamburger, cheeseburger or tenderloin basket with fries and condiments.
🏳️🌈 Party at the Point! – White Weekend Wonder
🕗 8 p.m.–12:30 a.m. | North Point | 21+
Celebrate Rahlan Kay’s birthday during Night 2 of White Weekend Wonder. All-white attire is encouraged but not required.
🎭 On Stage
🎭 Dear Evan Hansen
🕒 Time not provided | Theatre Cedar Rapids
The Tony Award-winning musical continues through Aug. 16, following Evan Hansen as a tragic event unexpectedly places him at the center of attention.
🆓 Free Things to Do
🖼️ Free Summer Admission at the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art
🕒 Museum hours | Cedar Rapids Museum of Art | FREE
Explore all 16 galleries at no cost through Aug. 30 as part of CRMA’s 17th annual Free Summer Admission Program.
🍦 Summer in the Square – Ice Cream Social
🕔 5–7 p.m. | Greene Square Park | FREE
Enjoy free ice cream, music, games and family activities.
🎒 Back 2 School Bash
🕔 5–7 p.m. | Greene Square Park | FREE
Get ready for the school year with free school supplies and family activities for elementary-aged students.
Special Thanks
A big shoutout to our sponsor: Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust.
With five convenient locations across the greater Cedar Rapids area and yes, the best cookies on the planet, Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust is a place where relationships and service truly matter. From personal to business banking, CRBT is here to support you every step of the way. Come meet the People you can bank on at crbt.bank. Member FDIC
Thank you for being part of the Cedar Rapids Daily community. We can’t wait to see you at these events! Until next time, stay curious and keep exploring.
Warm regards,
The Cedar Rapids Daily Team
Upload Media Group and its partners are not responsible for any issues, errors, or misunderstandings that may arise from the use of AI - assisted content.
