Food is grilled by Culata International Cuisine during a previous Market After Dark in downtown Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The popular Market After Dark makes a return to downtown Cedar Rapids this Saturday, Aug. 24.

The event runs from 6:30 to 11 p.m. with more than 125 vendors, live entertainment and more.

See photos from last year’s Market After Dark.

Changes include additional beer tents and a new craft beer tent.

Read more from the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance:

One of the most popular downtown events is returning to Cedar Rapids on Saturday, August 24th. Market After Dark, thanks to ImOn Communications, is bringing more than 125 vendors, entertainment, special lighted attractions, games, artwork, and more downtown for a free outdoor community event this weekend.

The Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance is thrilled to bring this event back to the
community for its ninth year.

“Market After Dark is one of our community’s most anticipated events of the summer,”
said Jenn Draper, events contractor for the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance. “We
are excited to bring back entertainment, and a few other surprises, to make this night a
festive and fun atmosphere that everyone can enjoy.”

The ninth annual Market After Dark runs from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. This festive event is
known for its unique atmosphere where patrons 21 years and older can take part in an
open-container environment within the designated market area. Beer and wine will be
sold at various locations in disposable Market After Dark cups until 10:30 p.m.

New this year are additional beer tents, increasing the total to seven, and helping to
ensure patrons are served promptly throughout the venue. Included in these seven is a
new Craft Brew Tent that will serve select beers and wine unavailable at the other six
beer tent locations.

Bottled soda and water will be available as well at all beverage tents. The open container policy within the market area starts at 6:30 p.m. and ends promptly at 11 p.m.

Alcohol will also be sold at participating downtown establishments.
Please see the Market After Dark map for the full list and locations of participating
establishments, vendor locations, entertainment stages, and more.

With every Market After Dark, the Economic Alliance makes a valiant effort to include many community members in new and engaging ways. Other exciting new features, entertainment, and happenings at the market this year include:

• Local stage entertainment• Van Meter Light Tunnel• Rinderknecht Cozy Campfire• Downtown Cedar Rapids Community Art Project• Community Savings Bank Shop Small Projector Feature• CR Facepainting• Market After Dark Floral Selfie Wall• Salon Voche Glam Station with Hair Glitter and Extensions• Murals & More Crunch Berry Booth• Game Zone and More

This year’s event will have vendors on 2nd Avenue SE, 3rd Avenue SE, and 4th Avenue
SE between 2nd Street SE and 5th Street SE. Entertainment also returns with three
stages located throughout the venue. The band, Vandello, will perform on the main
stage at 4th Avenue and 5th Street from 6:30-8 pm, and Running in Place will continue
the fun from 8:30-10:30pm. A variety of other entertainment will be sprinkled
throughout the venue for enjoyment, including lighted ballerinas, face painting, DJ Lady
J with Z102.9, and yard games to name a few.

“Market After Dark is a terrific opportunity to bring the community to our vibrant and
fun downtown,” said Doug Neumann, executive director of the Cedar Rapids Metro
Economic Alliance. “We look forward to this event every year as it supports local
businesses, entrepreneurs and our surrounding communities.”
To make the event as enjoyable as possible for all, Market After Dark House Rules have
been created to help facilitate respect and cooperation of all. They include:

  • No pets, no coolers, no outside beverages, no chairs, no smoking pursuant to the Iowa Smoke Free Air Act. (Service animals welcome)
  • Only beverages from beverage tents or at participating bars and restaurants
    inside the venue can be consumed at Market After Dark.
  • Attendees purchasing alcohol must present valid identification verifying age of 21
    and over at an ID Tent, and will receive a wristband. Alcohol vendors on the
    street will accept both cash and card in separate lines, powered by ImOn!
  • All purchases of alcohol will be served with a designated Market After Dark cup.
    No outside beverages will be allowed inside the Market After Dark venue. Open
    container ends promptly at 10:30 p.m.
  • Attendees removing alcohol from the Market After Dark venue may be subject to
    open container citation. Please drop your cups into the appropriate receptacles.

More event details, including how to volunteer, can be found at:
https://www.cedarrapids.org/marketafterdark