A variety of events throughout the Cedar Rapids metro area will result in changes to traffic patterns, especially downtown.

Tonight brings the annual Cedar Boat Club fireworks display in Ellis park. As a result, Cedar Rapids will be closing:

  • Ellis Boulevard NW from Ellis Lane to 16th Street NW starting at 6:30 tonight, including access to Ellis Park from Zika Avenue at 16th Street. The remainder of Ellis Boulevard from 16th Street NW to Edgewood Road NW, and the area of 20th Street NW from Zika Avenue to Hidden Hollow Lane NW, will be closed at a time to be determined by the Police Department.

Downtown Cedar Rapids features a variety of events on the 4th of July, including the downtown Farmer's Market (7:30-noon), pancake breakfast at the Veteran's Memorial Building (8-11 am), Fifth Season Race (8 am), Car and Bike Show on the 3rd Avenue bridge (8 am-noon), the KHAK-Thomas Dostal Developers Freedom Festival Concert at the McGrath Amphitheatre (3:30-9:30 pm), and of course the Celebration of Freedom Fireworks (shortly after 9:30 pm). By the way, 98.1 KHAK and 104.5 KDAT will again be playing the music the fireworks are synchronized to, so make sure you have your radio(s) on for the display. A number of downtown streets will be closed for all of the activities, beginning at 6 pm tonight (Friday) thru 2 am Sunday. Here's the list:

  • 1st Avenue between 1st Street SW and 1st Street SE
  • 1st Avenue between 1st Street SW and 2nd Street SW
  • 1st Street between A Avenue NW and 2nd Avenue SW
  • 2nd and 3rd Avenues between 1st Street SE and 1st Street SW
  • 8th Avenue between 1st Street SW and 2nd Street SE from before the fireworks display (time of closure depends on crowd present) at the Police Department or Sheriff's Department discretion, on Saturday, July 4, 2015 until approximately 30 minutes after the fireworks display.

Keep your eyes open for pedestrians, there will be plenty of them and please practice these 4th of July safety tips to keep you and your family safe. Have a wonderful 4th of July!

 

More From 104-5 KDAT