Much of Iowa City’s downtown district will transform into a massive celebration Saturday, featuring several stages of live music, a giant sandbox, and games.
Iowa City’s sixth annual Block Party sponsored by the Iowa City Downtown District is poised to draw large crowds into the closed-down city streets from 4-11 pm June 24. The city will prohibit vehicle traffic across 14 blocks, offering a safe and festive environment .
Saturday’s various performances and activities are free, although a select few require pre-registration. Local businesses will also sell food throughout the event.
A unique aspect of The Block Party is the special $10 pre-sale cups which allow patrons to purchase beer or wine inside an Iowa City establishment and take it into the city streets. Cups can be picked up or purchased at one of five downtown Iowa City locations near the block party entrances.
Cups can be purchased the day of for $15.
All parking ramps in the downtown area are free on Saturday until 10 am on Sunday.
Performances range from wrestling to live music
Saturday’s annual event will feature performances on three main stages − the Englert Theater Stage at the Weatherdance Stage on the Pedestrian Mall, the Iowa Avenue Side Stage and the SCW Pro Wrestling Stage.
The Englert’s stage will feature The Blake Shaw Big(ish) Band beginning at 5 pm, followed by Jim Swim & Friends and Katy Guillen & The Drive. The performances will conclude with a 75-minute set from Mucca Pizza starting at 8:45 pm
The Iowa Avenue Side Stage will feature a wide range of events, beginning with a Drag Storytime at 4 pm followed by a children’s talent show, and juggler Luther Bangert. The drag performers will return for a fashion show beginning at 7 pm before the Wright House of Fashion headlines the stage with its “Baddest in the City” Fashion Show.
Pro wrestling returns to the block party for a second year, with extended programming on the SCW Pro Wrestling Stage. Two-and-a-half hours of wrestling will be split up with selfies of the wrestlers. The throwdown begins at 6 pm
Gabe’s will also feature DJs on its side stage from 5 pm to 2 am Hard Luck & The Troubles will hit Washington Street for a two-hour performance from 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Downtown fun and games for all ages
The Iowa City Public Library will have free-to-play Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros available for all ages from 5 to 8 pm A sandy beach area will be designated for local children to enjoy at the corner of Clinton Street and Washington Street.
Chess, bingo, and puzzles will be available throughout the evening around downtown alongside sand volleyball, 3-on-3 basketball, bocce ball, tug-of-war, as well as yard games such as cornhole, Jenga, and ping-pong.
FilmScene is hosting an outdoor film presentation of Romeo and Juliet in Chauncey Swan Park. The movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes begins at sunset, around 8:45 pm
Iowa City businesses will also hit the streets on Saturday, providing several food options including hot dogs, hamburgers, pulled pork, mac and cheese, and even chicken tikka masala.
Many downtown businesses will provide vendor stations outside of their establishments as well. The list of available food and drink specials is on the block party web page.
The block party will close down the same roads as the last two years. These include:
- Iowa Avenue from Clinton Street to Linn Street.
- Dubuque Street from Iowa Avenue to Washington Street.
- Washington Street from Clinton Street to Gilbert Street.
- Clinton Street from College Street to Iowa Avenue.
- Linn Street from the alley north of Iowa City Public Library to Iowa Avenue
Saturday’s forecast calls for highs in the mid-90s before potential evening rain, but the National Weather Service projects the main vein of thunderstorms will hold off until about 1 am
Here’s the full schedule for Saturday’s Block Party
- Iowa City Letters — College and Clinton — All Day
- Sand Volleyball — On Clinton Street, near The Summit — 4-11 p.m
- Bocce Ball Courts — 4-11 p.m
- Ping pong, cornhole, Jenga, and yard games — On Iowa Avenue, in front of Joe’s Place — 4-11 p.m.
- Drag Storytime — Iowa Avenue Side Stage — 4-5 p.m
- Rollerskating — Clinton & College, near Yotopia — 4-8 p.m
- Beach Area — On Clinton Street, near Pancheros — 4-8 p.m
- Tennis and Pickleball Courts — On Linn Street, near Joystick — 4-9 p.m
- 3-on-3 basketball — On Iowa Avenue, in front of Joe’s Place — Free play from 4-5 pm and 9-11 pm, with pre-registered games taking place from 5-9 pm
- Electronic Fencing Target — Washington St. near Iowa Artisans Gallery — 4-6 p.m
- Bingo — Linn Street near White Rabbit — 4-6 pm and 8:30-10 pm
- ICOR Boxing Booth — Washington Street near Discerning Eye Optical — 4-7 p.m
- FitMeReach Booth — Washington Street near US Bank — 4-9:30 p.m
- Childserve Talent Show — Iowa Avenue Side Stage — 5-6 p.m
- The Blake Shaw Big(ish) Band — Englert Theater Stage on the Ped Mall — 5-5:45 p.m.
- Blitz & Bullet Chess Tournament — Black Hawk Mini Park on the Ped Mall — 5-8:30 p.m
- Dueling Pianos — Washington Street in front of Target — 5-10 p.m
- Silent Disco — Dubuque Street near Pullman Bar & Grill — 5-11 p.m
- Mario Kart & Smash Bros — Iowa City Public Library — 5-8 p.m
- SCW Pro Wrestling — SCW Pro Wrestling Stage — Wrestling 6-7 pm and 8-9:30 pm, with a wrestler photo booth in between
- Jim Swim & Friends — Englert Theater Stage on the Ped Mall — 6-6:45 p.m
- Pomtasticks from the Iowa City Senior Center — Iowa Avenue Side Stage — 6-6:30 p.m
- Juggler Luther Bangert — Iowa Avenue Side Stage — 6:45-7 p.m
- Puzzle Competition — Linn Street near White Rabbit — 7-8:30 p.m
- Studio 13 Drag Show — Iowa Avenue Side Stage — 7-8 p.m
- Katy Guillen & The Drive — Englert Theater Stage on the Ped Mall — 7:15-8:15 p.m.
- Tug-of-War Games — Clinton Street near Pancheros — 8-11 p.m
- The Wright House of Fashion’s Baddest in the City Fashion Show — Iowa Avenue Side Stage — 8-9 p.m
- Mucca Pazza — Englert Theater Stage on the Ped Mall — 8:45-10 p.m
- FilmScene’s Outdoor presentation of Romeo & Juliet — Chauncey Swan Park — Begins at sunset, around 8:45 pm