Customers choose sunflowers Aug. 27, 2022, from Norton’s Greenhouse of Toledo, Iowa, during Market After Dark in downtown Cedar Rapids. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Rain, and lightning, dampened the middle of the 2022 Market After Dark in downtown Cedar Rapids.

Lightning spotted just before 8:30 p.m. led organizers to delay the live entertainment until the storm had passed. The event, from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27, resumed after the storm delay, but some market-goers had already headed home due to the rain.

Market After Dark, one of the most popular events in downtown Cedar Rapids, is in its seventh year.

In 2019, more than 50,000 people filled the streets of downtown Cedar Rapids during the event in a record-setting year. This year’s attendance figures were not yet available.

More than 100 vendors offered a variety of prepared food, baked goods, cut flowers, wine and handcrafted items during the nighttime market, hosted by the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance.

Market After Dark was canceled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, but made a comeback last year.

Related: See photos from the 2021 Market After Dark

Patrons 21 years and older could take part in an open-container environment within the designated market area, with beer and wine sold at various locations.

Diamond Empire Band headlined this year’s event, performing on the main stage at Fourth Avenue and Fifth Street SE. Lighted ballerinas from Prestige Dance Studio wowed the crowd with their dance routine, but had to cancel a second performance due to slippery conditions from the rain.

See more photos from the 2022 Market After Dark, below:

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