Summer Solstice here we come…
The longest day of the year is quickly approaching. After Sunday, it’s all downhill from there… doesn’t it just rub you the wrong way that the longest day of the year is only in June??
Like, being outside in Iowa is just now consistently palatable on a day-to-day basis, and we still have 3 more amazing months of weather and things to do before winter comes and each day after the 21st is shorter than the last! How rude.
Let’s make the best of it. Get off your phone (ONLY AFTER YOU FINISH READING THE REST OF THE NEWSLETTER) and get moving!
Oh, and Sunday, the 21st is also Father’s Day. Don’t forget!
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Have fun this week.
Adventures Ahead📅📅
Check out some below happenings in the CR area!
Have an event suggestion? Just click here and let us know what it is.
Wednesday, 6/17
Popsicles in the Park
Turtle Creek Park, Hiawatha, 9:30 am
Come join us and meet some of our amazing moms/kiddos at the annual “Popsicles in the Park”.
Popsicles will be provided and we hope to see all you SAHM (or dads!) there!
Family Fun Nights
Bever, Cherry Hill, Jones, and Noelridge Pools, 6:30-8:30 pm
Bring a parent/guardian and enjoy family time at the pool.
$3/person admission
Thursday, 6/18
Park Playdates: Gill Park
Gill Park, Marion, 10-11 am
Join the Marion Public Library and Marion Parks & Recreation at Park Playdates this summer!
In addition to the playground equipment, extra activities such as bubbles, balls, pinwheels, sidewalk chalk, yard games, and sports equipment will be available.
The library's bookmobile will also stop by for patrons to find their next great read. This program is geared towards babies and elementary-aged children.
Marion by Moonlight: Schmidt Brothers
Marion Central Plaza, 6-9 pm
Gather your people, a cooler and some lawn chairs and kick back to enjoy live music compliments of Farmers State Bank.
Friday, 6/19
Doodlebugs: Statue of Liberty National Monument
Hiawatha Public Library, 10:30 am
America’s birthday is coming soon, so we’ll make magical fireworks to celebrate—with all the oohs and aahs, but without the fire or the noise!
Bubble Mania (All Ages)
Old MacDonald’s Farm, 10 am - 2 pm
Step into a swirl of bubbles at Old MacDonald's Farm. Pop, chase, and play as bubbles float through the farm and around the animals.
Sarsaparilla Friday
Ushers Ferry, 12-1 pm
Step into the old-time saloon at Usher's Ferry and enjoy a classic treat! Every Friday from June through August, stop by for Sarsaparilla, old-fashioned soda pop, and cold drinks, while the village is open to explore.
Juneteenth Jubilee @ The Yard
Kingston Yard, 4:30 - 8:30 pm
Please join Rahlan Kay and the Yard in the first ever Juneteenth Jubilee Celebration being held in this space! This event will look to showcase and celebrate many forms of African-American music, culture, arts and entertainment.
Saturday, 6/20
Cedar Rapids Farmers Market
Downtown Cedar Rapids, 7:30 am - 12 pm
Mix and mingle in downtown CR, check out local vendors and get some delicious food!
6th Annual Root Beer Festival
The History Center, Cedar Rapids, 10 am-4 pm
Don't miss the 6th Annual Root Beer Festival on the lawn at The History Center - an official Freedom Festival Event!
Juneteenth Festival
Cedar Rapids African American Museum, 12-6 pm
Join the AAMI as we commemorate Juneteenth with our annual festival! This highly anticipated festival will include: live music and performances, local nonprofit and business organizations, food and merchandise vendors, and family-friendly activities!
Sunday, 6/21
Hiawatha Farmers Market
Guthridge Park, 10am-1pm
Whether you’re shopping for the week or simply enjoying the atmosphere, the market is the perfect place to gather, explore, and support local.
Cedar Rapids Kernels vs. Beloit Sky Carp
Veteran’s Memorial Stadium, 1:05 pm
Kids Eat Free, presented by Great Clips, autographs, catch, and kids run bases on the field after the game, Baseball Bingo, presented by Iowa Popcorn Company
Purchase tickets here.
Make Music Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids Downtown Library, 1:30-4:30 pm
On June 21, Cedar Rapids becomes a stage. As part of the global Make Music Day celebration, live music will fill businesses, sidewalks, parks, and public spaces across the city. Anyone can perform. Everyone can attend. One day. One city. All music.
Monday, 6/22
Amber Hansen: Song for my Students
Cedar Rapids Downtown Library, 10 - 11 am, 1-2 pm
Ladd Library, 3:30 - 4:30 pm
Amber Hansen brings her unique blend of folk, pop, musical theater, and country music to the library. Performing her songs written specifically for kids, Amber will get everyone singing along.
Golf in the Square
Green Square Park, 5-7 pm
Kick off the week at Greene Square with hands-on fun for kids ages 5-12! From games and crafts to creative activities and active play, every visit brings something new to explore.
Monday Movies: The Goonies
The Yard (Kingston Yard), 6 pm
Bring your family, a blanket, and a lawn chair to the ImOn Stage and enjoy a FREE showing of The Goonies, thanks so TrueNorth Companies.
Tuesday, 6/23
Picasso in the Park
Green Square Park, 10 am - 1 pm
Paint, color, glue, and create at Picasso in the Park! Young artists can explore fun themes, make hands-on projects, and take home their own masterpiece.
Grown-Up Getaway… 99 problems and a kid ain’t one.
Café Saint Pio
99 16th Ave SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Located in historical Czech Village on the corner of 16th Ave. and C St. SW, is a quaint and superb coffee stop, Café Saint Pio, which is, quite frankly one of our favorite coffee shops in the CR metro.
We do not get there as much as we should (remember 3 kids under 5…), but when we do, it is always a treat. Good coffee and good treats. Atmosphere is cozy and friendly. Then after, walk down the street and check out some of the other local businesses!
They are open every weekday from 7 am to 4 pm and then 7 am to 2 pm on the weekends.
Hit it up for an afternoon coffee date with your significant other, or catch-up early Sunday morning with one of your longtime friends, or even just enjoy some solo time with a book.
Courtesy of TripAdvisor
Knee-Slappers😂🤣
Kid Tested & Approved
What do you call a sad strawberry? 🍓
A blue berry! 🫐
Knock knock…. who’s there?
A little old lady…. A little old lady who? 👵
I didn’t know you could yodel! A-little-ol-lady-whooo! 🤣
What do you call a smart owl? 🦉
A know-it-owl! 😆
🥁ba-dumm, tsssst…. 🥁
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A tasty meal, everyone should love.
Crouton Chicken 🐔
A simple meal that you can probably cook up without even making a run to the grocery store. This is a family recipe from the in-laws that has yet to be written down… until now.
Ingredients:
1 can cream of chicken
1 ½ cups Italian dressing
4-5 chicken breasts
Salad croutons (as many as you desire)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix cream of chicken and Italian dressing in bowl along with handful of croutons
Place chicken breasts into baking dish, and pour the bowl of mixed dressing over the top. Sprinkle additional croutons on top, then cover dish with foil.
Bake for 40 mins. Uncover, then bake additional 10 minutes or until chicken reaches internal temperature of 165 degrees
Sprinkle some fresh croutons on top and enjoy!
**It’s baked chicken, you don’t need an image**
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Need to know Nuggets
Weather Report ⛅⛈
Wednesday, 6/17 | 78℉/58℉ | ⛈ |
Thursday, 6/18 | 75℉/53℉ | ⛅ |
Friday, 6/19 | 78℉/59℉ | ⛅ |
Saturday, 6/20 | 79℉/62℉ | 🌦 |
Sunday, 6/21 | 74℉/57℉ | ⛈ |
Monday, 6/22 | 74℉/56℉ | ⛅ |
Tuesday, 6/24 | 76℉/56℉ | ⛅ |
Honestly, another great weekend of weather in Cedar Rapids, although maybe it’s a tad on the cooler side for those of you who like to sunbathe and be in a pool.
Weather courtesy of KCRG.com
News Worthy Nuggets
Some interesting local stories from the past week:
Zach Johnson wins the 2026 Principal Charity Classic at Wakonda Club - from Cedar Rapids Gazette
Cedar Rapids Flood of 2008 Anniversary - from KCRG
Local arborist gives tips on spotting dangerous tree branches, limbs - from IowaNewsNow
Don’t litter!
Pack it in, pack it out.
A city park is no different than a national park, leave only footprints, pack it in, pack it out… It is not that hard to do. Stuff a handful of plastic grocery sacks in the door or trunk of your car for any trash you guys might have. And also, just try picking up 2 pieces you see when out and about. When we all take a little bit of pride in our community, it is amazing what can be done.
If our oldest, who isn’t even in elementary school, can understand the concept then so can us parents. If you don’t, our kid will call the cops on you.
Seriously. She will call the police. For the past week, if you do anything slightly out of line, “The police are gonna come get you. I’ll call them.”
Using permanent markers? The Fuzz. Not listening? Police. Dog won’t stop barking? Dog Police. Littering? Cops. 🚓
That’s it for this week.
Happy Father’s Day to the dads out there! You guys are just as much appreciated as the moms, even if the kids tell you otherwise. They truly do love you.
We might all have a little bit more Dad Bod on us than we’d like, but hey, beer tastes good and spending time with your kids is worth the missed workout.
Now, put on your white New Balance kicks, some cargo shorts, and that one special stained cut-off t-shirt your wife hates and fire up that grill!
See you later! 👋