Head Downtown for Uptown Friday Nights

Wicked Liz and the Belly Swirls perform in Greene Square Park as part of the 2008 Uptown Friday Night Concert series in Cedar Rapids. The 10-week concert series begins in May/Photo by Stephen Schmidt, The Gazette

Friday’s in Cedar Rapids are extra special thanks to Uptown Friday Nights sponsored by the Cedar Rapids JayCees. It’s safe to say some of the most memorable times I’ve had in Cedar Rapids happened at Uptown Friday Night… but that’s a story for another day and another blog post.

Uptown Friday Night is an ideal way to usher in the weekend. Every Friday from Memorial Day weekend through July, you can find a party happening at Green Square Park located on the corner of 3^rd Avenue and 5^th Street SE in Cedar Rapids. The fun gets rolling promptly at 5 until 8 p.m. Parents, find your babysitter now because the kids are staying home. Alcohol is served and you must be 21 to enter and plan to pay a cover charge. By the way, don’t forget your ID, because you’ll be carded at the gate regardless of your wrinkles. (Thank you, Jaycees, for preserving my fragile ego.)

Green Square Park is a perfect party place to meet up with good friends. There are lots of shady trees to relax by and even more hard working Jaycee volunteers operating the event. Ample parking is available in the downtown area. One thing can make it better and that’s the rock’n area bands who take the stage each week. This year the crowd-pleasing The Swing Crew kicks off the summer season and they’ll be back for a second performance July 10. Take a look at this year’s outstanding schedule.

The Jaycees aim to throw a fantastic party, but they’re also raising funds for important local causes. They’ve donated nearly $300,000 Uptown profits to area charities.

If the weather looks questionable, tune into Mix 96.5 FM for updates.

I always make a point to make it to more than a few Uptown’s each summer. My pals and I will see you there!

For more event information visit www.uptownfirdaynights.com.