CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Organizers of the Freedom Festival announced April 21 that the 2020 festival will be canceled, due to coronavirus concerns. “In the 37 years of our Festival, we’ve not ever had to have the heavy conversations that we have had over the last few weeks; taking into consideration the latest news of […]
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Category: community organizations
Looking back: Cedar Rapids Cultural Cele...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Just before social distancing became de rigueur, the Czech Heritage Foundation was among organizations to participate in the Cedar Rapids Public Library’s Community Cultural Celebration & Expo. The event, held March 7, serves as an illustrative example that understanding our differences can bring us closer together. Cedar Rapids Mayor Brad Hart […]
“Overwhelming need” as long line waits f
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — The first vehicle arrived at 8:30 a.m. to wait for a “drive-through” food pantry opening at 1 p.m. Thursday, April 9, at the Veterans Memorial Stadium parking lot. HACAP Food Reservoir offers a regular mobile food pantry, but this was the first wide-scale food giveaway held in response to needs related […]
St. Patrick’s Day Parade canceled in Ced
UPDATED: March 11, 2020, with information from University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics CEDAR RAPIDS — This year would have marked the 45th year of the SAPADAPASO Parade in downtown Cedar Rapids, which has been held, rain or shine, since 1976. The St. Patrick’s Day Parade Society posted a message on Facebook this morning, Wednesday, […]
Looking back: Top stories of 2019
As the year, and the decade, come to a close, take a look back at some of the Homegrown highlights of 2019. Click on the links to learn what happened behind the headlines: One of the first stories of the year turned out to be one of the most read, after a shot fired at […]
Photos: Czech Village New Bohemia Hallow...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Nearly 50 entries entertained crowds of spectators who lined New Bohemia and Czech Village streets to catch a glimpse of the 2019 Halloween Parade. With a theme of “Scary Things that go Bump in the Night,” witches, zombies and other ghouls rode on floats and handed out candy to costumed children […]
VegFest of Eastern Iowa set for Nov. 9 i...
Last year, VegFest of Eastern Iowa started what looks to become an annual tradition, with its celebration of plant-based living. The second rendition of VegFest of Eastern Iowa is set for Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, from 10:30 a.m. through 4 p.m. at the Kirkwood Regional Center, 2301 Oakdale Blvd., Coralville. Admission is $5 for adults, […]
Legion Arts co-founder announces resigna...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — F. John Herbert, co-founder of Legion Arts, has announced his resignation. Herbert brought performance artists from across the globe to CSPS Hall in Cedar Rapids for nearly three decades. The hall for the Česko-Slovenský Podporující Spolek, or Czech-Slovak Protective Society, was built in 1891 at Third Street and 11th Avenue SE, […]
Remains of Iowa sailor laid to rest near...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Hundreds of veterans, family members and the public turned out to pay their respects for an Iowa sailor killed Dec. 7, 1941, in the attack on Pearl Harbor. William James Shanahan Jr., 23, of Cedar Rapids, died while serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Oklahoma. One of his sisters […]
Photos: 2019 Czech Village Blues
CEDAR RAPIDS — Perfect weather provided ideal accompaniment for the third annual Czech Village Blues. An enthusiastic crowd filled a good portion of 16th Avenue SW, where the stage was set due to ongoing construction of flood protection around Sokol Park, where last year’s festival was centered. The 2019 Czech Village Blues, hosted by the […]