Already tired of the snow and cold? Think Summer!

We have our first taste of snow and cold and crazy winter drivers, soooo...LET'S TALK SUMMERTIME! The Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival recently announced how they're celebrating their 40th Anniversary celebration, with the return of the popular Military Tribute Banner Program and a new, "Name A Firework" donation campaign!

We owe so much of our freedom to our military veterans, and what better way to celebrate them than by recognizing them over our city streets for everyone to see! In a news release, Freedom Festival said, "The Military Tribute Banner Program honors both active-duty members and those who are retired from, or honorably discharged from, the United States Armed Forces."

The banners will be placed for all to see on Downtown Cedar Rapids light poles from June to August of next year, and a map will be available to locate the location of each banner. If you want to memorialize your veteran, freedom Festival says, "the cost to honor someone...is $250 and recipients will receive the banner at the end of the display period." But you'd better hurry because the deadline to apply at the Freedom Festival website is December 31, 2022. Orders will be accepted through the Freedom Festival’s website until the deadline of December 31st, 2022.

Meanwhile, Freedom Festival says, "the 'Name a Firework' donation campaign is replacing the annual Day of Giving Campaign for the organization." For a $40 donation, you can name a specific firework for someone and Freedom Festival will provide the exact time the firework will explode overhead! "Ways to order and donate are available on The Freedom Festival’s website."

Karol Shepherd, Executive Director of the Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival says, “As gift giving is front of mind now that the holidays are here, these are two great options for the community to honor loved ones!” So, let's celebrate veterans and our friends and family and look forward to Summer 2023 and the 40th Anniversary of Freedom Festival!