Events for Friday, October 2nd
Hey there, Cedar Rapids! 🎉
It’s a beautiful Friday in Eastern Iowa! 🍂 Start your day with Geri-Fit, Find Your Center, storytime, Kids Music Day, and Mount Mercy Homecoming activities, then enjoy the Iowa Fall Festival at Bloomsbury Farm. 🎃🎓 Tonight brings a fused-glass workshop, 1776 at CSPS Hall, and live music with Blood Brothers featuring Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia. 🎭🎸 Cap off the night with 90s and 2000s R&B at The Ideal or Friday night karaoke.
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.
Featured Events
The 9th Annual Beers in the Barnyard
Cedar Rapids Park Foundation
Thursday, October 8th
Old MacDonald’s Farm, Bever Park, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403
Beers in the Barnyard is the Cedar Rapids Park Foundation’s signature fundraising event featuring beers from local breweries, wine, and NA beverages as well as dinner from food truck favorites, a stellar silent auction, plus fun games and prizes. Ticket sales have been extended through the end of this week, so purchase yours today at CRParkFoundation.org.
Want to have your event included in our new featured events segment for thousands of local residents to hear? Visit CedarRapidsDaily.com/Submit to learn more.
☀️ CEDAR RAPIDS DAILY
Friday, October 2, 2026
🌤️ FORECAST
Mostly sunny with a high of 65° and a low of 45°.
☀️ Friday, October 2 | Top 10 Highlights
💪 Geri-Fit
🥋 Find Your Center
🎵 Music on the Move
🍁 Iowa Fall Festival
🛠️ MakerSpace Open Hours
👻 Glass Mummy Tray
🇺🇸 RTC Theatre: 1776
🎸 Blood Brothers feat. Mike Zito & Albert Castiglia
🎤 RnB Night
🎓 Mount Mercy Homecoming & Alumni Weekend
🌿 HEALTH, WELLNESS & SELF-CARE
💪 Geri-Fit
🕗 8–8:45 a.m. & 1–1:45 p.m.
📍 Ely Public Library | 💲 Free
A strength, balance and mobility program for adults 60+, offered Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
🥋 Find Your Center
🕣 8:30–9:30 a.m.
📍 NewBo City Market
Use simple movement, breathing, reflection and martial arts-inspired techniques to manage stress, regain focus and tackle everyday challenges. Drop-ins are welcome.
❤️ COMMUNITY, SENIORS & SUPPORT
☕ Encore Café — Registration Required
🕦 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
📍 Marion Public Library
A dietitian-reviewed meal and wellness program designed to support socialization, health and quality of life for older adults.
☕ Coffee & Kolach
🕐 1–2 p.m.
📍 National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library
The monthly Káva & Koláč series features programs, concerts and special events via Facebook Live or YouTube Live.
📢 Community Writers' Circle Announcement
🕐 1–2 p.m.
📍 Hiawatha Public Library
The Community Writers' Circle is taking a short break this fall.
🎓 Mount Mercy Homecoming & Alumni Weekend 2026
🕚 11:15 a.m.
📍 Mount Mercy University
Mount Mercy's annual Homecoming & Alumni Weekend runs October 2–4, with class reunions, alumni awards, campus activities and opportunities to connect with current students and faculty. Reunions are planned for classes ending in 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016 and 2021, plus Golden Graduates.
👧 KIDS & FAMILIES
📚 Early Learning Story Time at Busse Branch
🕤 9:30–10 a.m.
📍 Busse Library
Story time for ages 2–5 featuring stories, songs, movement and bubbles.
🎵 Music on the Move with Special Guest Lisa Klostermann
🕙 10–10:45 a.m.
📍 Hiawatha Public Library
Celebrate Kids Music Day with a special music-filled program.
🍁 Iowa Fall Festival
🕐 1–5:30 p.m.
📍 Bloomsbury Farm, Atkins | 💲 Admission varies
Enjoy U-pick pumpkins, a giant corn maze, photo opportunities, U-pick flowers, fall treats and dozens of attractions. The festival runs through October 31.
🧑🎨 Teen Anime Club
🕞 3:30–4:30 p.m.
📍 Busse Branch
Watch the beginning of Dungeon People after starting the program with a craft or activity.
📚 LIBRARY, LEARNING & TECHNOLOGY
💻 Technology Help Table
🕧 12:30–1:30 p.m.
📍 Marion Public Library
Get hands-on help with phones, iPads, tablets, settings, apps, email and general device questions. Assistance may be limited to about 10 minutes per person.
🛠️ MakerSpace Open Hours
🕐 1–4 p.m.
📍 Marion Public Library
Explore 3D printers, Cricut machines, heat presses and other creative technology. Open to all ages; anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
🎨 ARTS & CRAFTS
👻 Glass Mummy Tray
🕡 6:30–8:30 p.m.
📍 Iowa Ceramics Center & Glass Studio | 💲 $60 | Registration required
Create a fused-glass mummy serving tray while learning the basics of cutting, layering and arranging fusible glass. No experience is necessary.
🎭 PERFORMING ARTS
🇺🇸 RTC Theatre: 1776
🕢 7:30–9:30 p.m.
📍 CSPS Hall
Celebrate America's 250th birthday with this Broadway musical about the men behind the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
🎸 MUSIC & NIGHTLIFE
🎶 Blood Brothers feat. Mike Zito & Albert Castiglia
🕗 8–11 p.m. | Doors 7 p.m.
📍 The Olympic South Side Theater
Veteran blues-rock frontmen Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia bring their acclaimed guitar-driven collaboration to Cedar Rapids for a night of blues, rock, soul and gospel.
🎤 RnB Night
🕗 8 p.m.–12 a.m.
📍 The Ideal Theater & Bar | 💲 $10–$20 | 30+
First Friday brings 90s and 2000s R&B, soul classics and a dance floor featuring Cedar Rapids' Rahlan Kay alongside DJ VerbaTIM.
🎤 Friday Karaoke
🕘 9 p.m.–2 a.m.
📍 Sammy's Lounge
Karaoke every Friday night.
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.
