Events for Wednesday, October 21st, 2026.
Hey there, Cedar Rapids! 🎉
It’s another beautiful day to get out, learn something new, and connect with your Eastern Iowa community! 🤝 Start the morning by building professional connections at BNI Greater Corridor Connections, or celebrate legendary author Ursula K. Le Guin’s birthday at Ely Public Library. Seniors can enjoy free admission to the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library as part of Linn County Arts & Culture Week. 🇨🇿 Looking to boost your career? Head to the Busse Branch Library for resume-building tips or the Goodwill World of Work Workshop. Families can enjoy baby and toddler story time, while tweens and teens can get creative at Crafternoons, and everyone can join the fun at Family Art Night. 🎨 Book lovers and hobbyists can explore genealogy, play chess or mahjong, or embark on a Dungeons & Dragons adventure. 🐉 Need a midweek social outing? Test your knowledge at free Trivia Mafia at NewBo City Market or play a friendly-feud-style game at The Pedaler’s Fork. 🧠 You can also unwind with Tai Chi, connect with fellow caregivers, or join Death Cafe for a thoughtful, welcoming conversation about life and mortality.
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, October 21, 2026
Your guide to what’s happening around Cedar Rapids and Eastern Iowa — in five minutes or less!
🌤️ FORECAST
Mostly sunny with a high of 71° and a low of 50°.
⭐ WEDNESDAY’S TOP 10 HIGHLIGHTS
🤝 Cedar Rapids Business Networking — BNI Greater Corridor Connections
🇨🇿 Free Day for Seniors at the National Czech & Slovak Museum
📚 Ursula K. Le Guin’s Birthday
💼 Craft Your Perfect Resume
🧘 Tai Chi for Older Adults
🎨 Tween & Teen Crafternoons
🎲 Dungeons & Dragons
🎨 Family Art Night
🧠 Trivia at NewBo City Market
☕ Death Cafe
🌿 HEALTH, WELLNESS & SUPPORT
💪 Geri-Fit
🕗 8–8:45 a.m. and 1–1:45 p.m.
📍 Ely Public Library | 💲 Free
A fitness program for adults 60 and older focused on improving strength, balance, flexibility and mobility while supporting joint health. Classes are held Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Consult your doctor before beginning an exercise program.
📖 The Unexpected Journey Book Study
🕙 10–11:30 a.m.
📍 DeWolf Family Innovation Center for Aging & Dementia
Join a five-week book study exploring Emma Heming Willis’ experiences caring for her husband, Bruce Willis, who is living with frontotemporal dementia. Discuss practical caregiving lessons, self-care strategies and sources of hope. Registration was requested by October 7; call 319-221-8866 or email fcgc@mercycare.org for information.
🧘 Tai Chi for Older Adults
🕐 1–2 p.m.
📍 Cedar Rapids Public Library — Downtown
Learn and practice gentle Tai Chi movements in a 12-week series with Bryan Bruner of Heritage Area Agency on Aging. Skills build throughout the series.
☕ Wednesday Afternoon Caregiver Coffee
🕜 1:30–3 p.m.
📍 DeWolf Family Innovation Center for Aging & Dementia
A supportive gathering for caregivers to share experiences, learn caregiving tips and connect with others. No registration required. Contact the Center at 319-221-8866 or fcgc@mercycare.org for Zoom information.
💚 Hopeful Mama Foundation Support Group
🕠 5:30–7:30 p.m.
📍 Marion Public Library
Connect with others navigating fertility journeys in a supportive group focused on advocacy, education and encouragement. Light refreshments are provided.
☕ Death Cafe
🕖 7–8:30 p.m.
📍 Illuminations Cedar Rapids | 💲 Free
Join an informal, welcoming conversation about death, dying, mortality and consciousness. Everyone is welcome, and tea and snacks will be available. Registration is requested to help organizers plan.
👶 FAMILY & KIDS
📚 Baby & Toddler Story Time at the Downtown Library
🕤 9:30–10:30 a.m.
📍 Cedar Rapids Public Library — Downtown
Enjoy a short story and song program for newborns through age three, followed by playtime. Rhymes, rhythm, repetition and movement help build early literacy skills.
🎨 Tween & Teen Crafternoons with the MakerSpace
🕜 1:30–3 p.m.
📍 Marion Public Library
Tweens and teens can explore their creativity through a craft connected to the library’s MakerSpace.
🎲 Dungeons & Dragons
🕟 4:30–7:30 p.m.
📍 Cedar Rapids Public Library — Downtown
Join a weekly adventure with handbooks and dice provided. Bring a third-level character and your imagination. New players can get help with character creation and game basics 30 minutes before the session. All ages and experience levels are welcome.
🎨 Family Art Night at the Busse Branch
🕠 5:30–7:30 p.m.
📍 Busse Branch Library | Registration required
Experiment with art supplies and learn new creative techniques during this family art program. Register through Cedar Rapids Public Library events.
💼 CAREER, EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY
🤝 Cedar Rapids Business Networking — BNI Greater Corridor Connections
🕖 7–8 a.m.
📍 Collins Community Credit Union, 1005 Blairs Ferry Road NE, Cedar Rapids
Meet local business owners, entrepreneurs and professionals at this referral-based networking meeting. Visitors can introduce their businesses, build connections, learn how members generate referrals and discover whether their professional category is available in the chapter.
💼 Goodwill Career Services World of Work (WOW) Workshop
🕥 10:45 a.m.–noon
📍 Busse Branch Library
Learn essential skills and strategies for today’s job market with the Opportunity Center and Goodwill Career Center. Attend three sessions to receive a $25 gift card from Goodwill of the Heartland.
📝 Craft Your Perfect Resume
🕧 12:30–3:30 p.m.
📍 Busse Branch Library
Learn how to structure your resume, highlight your skills and showcase your achievements in a way that fits the job you’re applying for.
💻 Tech Connect with CJ Flynn
🕐 1–2 p.m.
📍 Hiawatha Public Library | 💲 Free
Get friendly help with phones, tablets, laptops and everyday technology questions.
📚 BOOKS, HISTORY & CULTURE
📖 Ursula K. Le Guin’s Birthday
🕘 9 a.m.–7 p.m.
📍 Ely Public Library
Celebrate the legendary fantasy and science-fiction author with a quiz featuring her work, famous quotes and more.
🇨🇿 Free Day for Seniors
🕤 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
📍 National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library
Seniors receive free admission to explore the museum and library. Guided tours are offered at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and the Museum Store offers a special 15% discount. The museum is participating in Free for All: Linn County Arts & Culture Week.
🔗 Learn about Free for All week
🧬 Genealogy Junkies
🕕 6–7:30 p.m.
📍 Marion Public Library
Meet with fellow genealogy enthusiasts to explore family history and research. Bring a laptop or tablet, or use a library device if available. Presented in partnership with the Genealogical Society of Linn County.
🎨 ARTS, CRAFTS & CREATIVE EXPERIENCES
🛠️ MakerSpace Open Hours
🕓 4–6 p.m.
📍 Marion Public Library
Explore the library’s creative tools, including 3D printers, Cricut machines, sublimation printing and heat presses. Open to all ages; visitors under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver.
🖼️ Fall Painting at The Quarter Barrel
🕕 6–8 p.m.
📍 The Quarter Barrel Arcade & Brewery, 616 2nd Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids | 💲 $35
Enjoy a guided painting session and create your own 16-by-20-inch canvas. Check-in starts at 5:30 p.m.; food and drinks are available for purchase. Children ages 8 and older may attend with a paying adult.
🔗 Tickets from Cork N Canvas Iowa
🧠 GAMES & HOBBIES
♟️ Cedar Rapids Chess Club
🕠 5:30–7:30 p.m.
📍 Cedar Rapids Public Library — Downtown
Learn chess, improve your skills or share your knowledge with players of all ages.
🀄 Mahjong
🕑 2–4 p.m.
📍 Hiawatha Public Library
Join other players for open play of American mahjong.
🎮 Modern Wednesdays
🕕 6–10 p.m.
📍 First Turn Games
Gather with fellow players for the weekly Modern format gaming night.
🧠 TRIVIA & SOCIAL GAMES
🧠 Weekly Free Trivia at NewBo City Market
🕕 6–8 p.m.
📍 NewBo City Market, 1100 3rd Street SE, Cedar Rapids | 💲 Free
Put your knowledge to the test at Trivia Mafia’s weekly Wednesday night event. Enjoy friendly competition, prizes and a fun evening at the market.
🎤 “Survey Says: A Friendly Feud Bar Game”
🕖 7 p.m.
📍 The Pedaler’s Fork, Cedar Rapids | 💲 Free
Play solo or with a team of up to eight. Guess the most popular answers, compete for house cash and enjoy this friendly-feud-style game. This event is listed for the third Wednesday of each month.
🛍️ SHOPPING & COMMUNITY
🛍️ Fall Garage Sale
🕘 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
📍 St. Jude Catholic Church
Browse clothing, home décor and other finds at the church’s fall garage sale. The kitchen will serve fresh cinnamon rolls each morning and snacks throughout the day. For details, call 319-390-3520.
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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