WEEKENDER BLOG

Downtown is the place to be on Sunday, September 8, 2024, as sculptures, paintings, jewelry, and paper art will fill the streets of the Cedar Falls Downtown District as part of ARTapalooza, a juried art show. It’s more than an art show, it’s a festival with activities for the kids, entertainment and an opportunity to shop local.

This year, approximately 50 local and regional artists will exhibit and sell their works of art on Main Street between 1st Street and 5th Streets from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm. Whether you’re looking for a unique painting, a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry or a finely-crafted sculpture, you’ll find artwork that is original, abstract, practical and whimsical! 

Again this year, The Hearst Center for the Arts will offer activities for kids which means fun for the entire family. There will be face painting, free drawing opportunities and more! 

Fun and art are rolled into one at ARTapalooza. Stroll and shop the day away and then take it all in as you dine on the patio of one of the many locally-owned restaurants. It’s a day full of activities!

For more information, please visit www.communitymainstreet.org or their Facebook event by clicking HERE. 

The Beaker Brothers performing during the 2022 Checker's Stone Soul Picnic.

And there's more to do just two block west of Main Street at Overman Park as Checker's Stone Soul Picnic is also on Sunday, September 8 from 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., with live music, food and activities for kids of all ages. Admission is free and donations are encouraged as all proceeds go to the children's programs at the Northeast Iowa Food Bank. The event is named in honor of its founder Mike "Checker" Michalicek and has raised over $200,000 for the Northeast Iowa Food Bank's children's programs. The band lineup includes:

11:00 a.m.   Sugar Daddy's Jazz Band
12:00 p.m.   Katie & the Honky Tonks
1:00 p.m.     Solid Ground
2:00 p.m.     Deja Blue
3:00 p.m.     Get Up Get Down
4:00 p.m.     The Beaker Brothers Band

For additional information, please visit Checker's Stone Soul Picnic Facebook page by clicking HERE. 

If you'd like to make ARTapalooza and Checker's Stone Soul Picnic part of a weekend getaway, we invite you to contact the Cedar Falls Visitor Center at 319-268-4266 or visit Places to Stay, Places to Eat & Drink and Things to Do for more travel ideas. 

We'd be happy to help!
 

1. art & culture
2. artapalooza
3. cedar falls downtown district
4. downtown
5. hearst center for the arts
6. live music
7. stone soul picnic
8. things to do
9. things to see