Busy Times in Cedar Rapids
There has been a lot going on in Cedar Rapids this summer besides hosting the VenuWorks VenuConnection!
Indoor Soccer League Kicking-Off in Cedar Rapids This Fall!
The U.S. Cellular Center is proud to welcome a new sports tenant for the 2015/2016 season- Indoor Soccer! The Cedar Rapids Rampage, the newest addition of the Major Arena Soccer League, will kick off their season this fall at the U.S. Cellular Center. The Rampage will be managed by the same ownership group as the Cedar Rapids Titans who are currently in their fourth season with the Indoor Football league.
According to Sharon Cummins, Executive Director, the franchise is estimated to bring $1 million into the area during their first year. Cummins said she expects the team to attract soccer fans from across the state as the announcement has already created buzz around Cedar Rapids, especially with soccer’s popularity among Iowa’s youth.
McGrath Amphitheatre Rocks the Riverbank
The McGrath Amphitheatre rocked its 2nd year of operation under VenuWorks management with a season of concerts that kept downtown Cedar Rapids rollin’ on the river throughout the summer.
The Amphitheatre’s season kicked-off with a crowd of 2,200+ for Grammy Award winning band Chicago. Other memorable concerts that rocked the riverfront in 2015 included Barenaked Ladies, Ben Folds, Eric Pasley, George Thorogood, Brian Setzer, radio legend Garrison Keillor and The World’s Greatest Pink Floyd Show courtesy of Brit Floyd.
In addition to a packed season of concerts, McGrath hosted frequent community events. The Amphitheatre was home to the Cedar Rapid’s Jaycees Uptown Friday Nights, Asian Fest, Blues Fest, and VenuWorks’ BBQ Roundup.
Hot Summer for Cedar Rapids Ice Arena
The USA Curling Arena National Championships were held at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena in July. The event was a result of excellent collaboration between The Cedar Rapids Ice Arena staff and the Convention and Visitors Bureau. Blending elements of bowling, baseball and shuffleboard, curling is a popular Winter Olympics event. The event featured 32 teams from across the United States. San Francisco Bay and Dallas/Fort Worth Curling Clubs took home the gold.
In addition to the nation’s curlers, the Ice Arena welcomed over 1,700 visitors and 630 children throughout the summer months. Tonya Frost, the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena’s Program Manager, is continuing to grow attendance by partnering with local day-cares and youth organizations, creating events and group packages such as Lunch on Ice, Cheap Skate Fridays, and Skate out Summer.
