Derecho Anniversary Festival Scheduled in August

When you hear the word "festival" it sounds like a party, which is certainly something that doesn't really apply to the anniversary of the devastating derecho that ripped through Cedar Rapids and Eastern Iowa almost one year ago. But ahead of that one-year anniversary comes to the "Derecho Anniversary Festival" on August 7.

Get our free mobile app

Remembering the devastation

Week-long or more power outages and devastating depletion of the city's tree canopy in the thick of summer, during a pandemic no less, are what we remember most. But also the hard work of so many to get us back up and running. Work was just recently completed by the City of Cedar Rapids in cleaning up debris from a storm that took place eleven months ago, although some areas still report that their recovery continues. To celebrate that hard work and to remember the events that brought us together as a community, the "Derecho Anniversary Festival" is taking place ahead of the one-year mark from the devastating derecho.

Celebrating the community spirit of resilience and recovery

The celebration is in light of our resilience and recovery from the event, and how the aftermath brought us together. In any case, Together We Achieve and the Iowa Derecho Storm Resource Center, two nonprofits that played major roles in community recovery after the storm will host it. It will be held at Greene Square at 4 p.m. on Saturday, August 7 and the Facebook event page notes that the community is invited for a FREE event featuring "live music, yard games, inflatables, face painting, balloon art, food, drinks, and more!" Iowa's News Now also has more details.

For many, this may also be the first chance to "get out", socialize and relax between both the derecho and pandemic. It sounds like a great event.