Downtown Block Party Celebrates 6th Year This June
Iowa City Downtown District Brings Back Fan Favorites for the Event of the Summer
The Iowa City Downtown District’s annual evening event, the Downtown Block Party, returns this summer for its 6th year on Saturday, June 24, 2023. As one of the area’s largest festivals, the Downtown Block Party will continue with its tradition of celebrating Downtown Iowa City and the existing nighttime economy with a full lineup of free programming and unique activities for the community to enjoy. Programming for the event will begin at 4:00 p.m. with cup sales beginning at 5:00 p.m.
“We are excited to bring the community together again this summer for another fun Downtown Block Party. While we always make sure to bring back the crowd’s favorite activities, we also look to showcase new and unique programming to surprise attendees around each corner. It’s always a delight to see so many attendees engage with our free programming in the unique setting of the streets of downtown. That is what makes this event so special,” said Christopher Hunter, Events Director for the ICDD.
The 2023 Downtown Block Party program will bring back fan favorites including the popular Studio 13 Drag Show, Dueling Pianos sponsored by Hills Bank, Silent Disco sponsored by GreenState Credit Union, the Sand Volleyball Court, and the SCWPro Wrestling matches introduced last year.
Many community partners like the Iowa Children’s Museum, Iowa City Public Library, FilmScene, Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department, Wright House of Fashion, Gabe’s, Iowa City Senior Center, Dream City, and the University of Iowa are partners at the event. These entities will facilitate community activities like tennis and pickleball, a kid’s beach area, basketball games, a fashion show, a video game tournament, and more.
New program features for 2023 that can be released now include a one-of-a-kind talent show featuring various acts from children in the ChildServe program, sure to entertain attendees. In addition, new bocce ball courts will be highlighted at the request of a growing base of enthusiasts. Luther Bangert, the world-renowned juggler, will perform his mesmerizing act. All of this is happening alongside a variety of dynamic, upbeat musical guests that are sure to get the crowd moving.
The Englert Theatre’s Main Stage, sponsored by iBev, will feature headliner Mucca Pazza, whose sound is influenced by marching band traditions and street theater spectacle with rock and roll sensibilities. Indie roots rock band Katy Guillen & The Drive from Kansas City, Missouri will be performing alongside local artists Jim Swim & Friends, and The Blake Shaw Big(ish) Band.
As in previous years, the event offers programming that is free and open to anyone. The only paid feature is for those wishing to partake in the unique opportunity to take alcoholic beverages from downtown restaurants, bars, and businesses to the streets to enjoy in tandem with the programming elements. The official 2023 Block Party cup, sponsored by Collins Community Credit Union, and event wristband, sponsored by Thompson and Co., is required to partake in the open container option of the event and are now available for pre-sale online for only $10. Cups will increase to $15 on the day of the event and can be purchased at multiple cup stations in the event footprint starting at 5:00 p.m that evening.
All of the event’s details and ticket links can be found at https://downtowniowacity.com/events/downtown-block-party/. The final schedule of events and programming will be added throughout the next few months.