Events for Wednesday, August 19th, 2026.

Hey there, Cedar Rapids! 🎉

Welcome to Cedar Rapids Daily, your quick guide to everything happening across Eastern Iowa! In today’s episode for Wednesday, August 19, we’re highlighting wellness activities, library programs, creative workshops, family fun, community gatherings, gaming, trivia, and opportunities to shop local. Whether you’re looking to stay active, get creative, learn something new, connect with your community, or enjoy a fun evening out, Cedar Rapids Daily helps you discover 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
Wednesday, August 19

🌤️ FORECAST
Partly cloudy skies are expected Wednesday, with a high of 80° and a low of 61°. It should be a comfortable day for getting out and enjoying Eastern Iowa!

HIGHLIGHTS:

🛼 Beat the Heat at ImOn Ice!
🦋 Eco-Explorers: Bug Safari
🎈 Bounce Party at Ascension Park
🧘 Pilates in the Park
🛠️ MakerSpace Open Hours
🎲 Dungeons & Dragons
♟️ Cedar Rapids Chess Club
🧠 Weekly Free Trivia at NewBo City Market
🎨 “Lilacs in the Sunset” – Cork N Canvas
✈️ Aviation Day at Ely Public Library

🌿 HEALTH & WELLNESS

Geri-Fit
🕗 8–8:45 a.m. & 1–1:45 p.m. | Ely Public Library | FREE
This strength and fitness class for adults 60+ focuses on improving strength, balance, flexibility and mobility.

Yoga Flow
🕤 9:30–10:30 a.m. | Illuminations Cedar Rapids
Move through yoga postures while connecting breath and movement. All experience levels are welcome.

Veterans Affairs Q&A
🕙 10–11:30 a.m. | DeWolf Family Innovation Center for Aging & Dementia
Meet individually with a Linn County Veterans Affairs service coordinator to discuss questions and benefits. Registration is required.

Wednesday Afternoon Caregiver Coffee
🕜 1:30–3 p.m. | DeWolf Family Innovation Center for Aging & Dementia
Caregivers can share their experiences, learn helpful tips and connect with others. No registration required.

Chair Yoga with Jamie
🕓 4–5 p.m. | Breathing Room Yoga
Enjoy an accessible yoga class using seated and modified poses. All equipment is provided.

Pilates in the Park
🕕 6–7 p.m. | Marion Central Plaza at City Square Park | FREE
Take your Pilates practice outdoors! All abilities are welcome, and no membership or experience is required. Bring a mat or towel and water.

📚 LIBRARIES & LEARNING

Community Gardening in Shakespeare Garden
🕘 9–11 a.m. | Shakespeare Garden at Ellis Park | FREE
Help care for the historic garden while enjoying time outdoors with the community. Bring gardening tools if you have them.

MakerSpace Open Hours
🕘 9 a.m.–noon | Marion Public Library | FREE
Explore creative technology including 3D printers, Cricut machines, heat presses and more.

Aviation Day
🕘 9 a.m.–7 p.m. | Ely Public Library | FREE
Test your knowledge of airplanes, flying and airports with an aviation-themed quiz.

Mahjong
🕑 2–4 p.m. | Hiawatha Public Library | FREE
Join other players for open play of American Mahjong.

Dungeons & Dragons
🕟 4:30–6:30 p.m. | Cedar Rapids Public Library | FREE
Bring your imagination and a first-level character for weekly D&D adventures. New players are welcome.

Cedar Rapids Chess Club
🕠 5:30–7:30 p.m. | Cedar Rapids Public Library | FREE
Learn chess, improve your skills or teach others at this all-ages club.

Genealogy Junkies
🕕 6–7:30 p.m. | Marion Public Library | FREE
Connect with fellow genealogy enthusiasts and work on researching your family history.

Second Breakfast Book Club
🕕 6–7:30 p.m. | Sisters Books & Nooks
Discuss The Black Birds of St. Giles by Lila Cain, a historical fiction story centered on resilience, family and freedom.

🎨 ARTS & COMMUNITY

Library Artwork Unveiling & Reception
🕓 4–5 p.m. | Marion Public Library | FREE
Celebrate the unveiling of the library's newest artwork with remarks, light refreshments and a chance to explore the library's art collection.

Quarter Barrel – “Lilacs in the Sunset”
🕕 6–8 p.m. | The Quarter Barrel Arcade & Brewery | $35
Create your own 16x20-inch painting with Cork N Canvas Iowa. All supplies are provided; food and drinks are available for purchase. Ages 8+ with a paid adult.

Hopeful Mama Foundation Support Group
🕠 5:30–7:30 p.m. | Marion Public Library | FREE
A supportive gathering for women navigating their fertility journey, with a focus on advocacy, education and connection. Light refreshments provided.

Death Café
🕖 7–8:30 p.m. | Illuminations Cedar Rapids | FREE
Join an informal, welcoming conversation about death, dying, mortality and life's many transitions. Registration is requested.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 FAMILY FUN

Bounce Party at Ascension Park
🕛 Noon–2 p.m. | Ascension Park, Marion | FREE
Enjoy inflatable fun, a giant slide, obstacle course, bounce house, yard games and music.

Beat the Heat at ImOn Ice!
🕝 2:30–5 p.m. | ImOn Ice Arena
Cool off with public skating, with free skate rental during this special session. Rental skates are first-come, first-served and sizes are limited.

Eco-Explorers: Bug Safari
🕙 10 a.m.–noon | Wickiup Hill Learning Center | $12
Young explorers ages 5–7 can search for insects and learn how tiny creatures help keep nature healthy. Registration required.

🧠 GAMES & ENTERTAINMENT

Weekly Free Trivia at NewBo City Market
🕕 6–8 p.m. | NewBo City Market | FREE
Test your knowledge at Trivia Mafia's weekly Wednesday night trivia and compete for prizes.

Survey Says: A Friendly Feud Bar Game
🕖 7 p.m. | The Pedaler's Fork | FREE
Play solo or in teams of up to eight and try to guess the most popular answers to survey questions for a chance to win house cash.

Modern Wednesdays
🕕 6–10 p.m. | First Turn Games
Join fellow players for weekly Modern-format gaming.

🛍️ SHOP LOCAL

Farmers Market at Old MacDonald's Farm
🕓 4–6 p.m. | Old MacDonald's Farm
Shop local vendors offering fresh produce, meats, handmade crafts and more at this weekly Wednesday farmers market.

🎳 WEEKLY SPECIALS

Half Off Wednesdays
🕚 11 a.m.–11 p.m. | Spare Time Cedar Rapids
Enjoy 50% off Game Zone games, open bowling and laser tag all day, with some exclusions.

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

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