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Come on down to Block Party on Saturday, June 28th

Come on down to Block Party on Saturday, June 28th and bring out your inner child with these extra large tricycles. We promise you’ll be laughing out loud and reliving your childhood summer days.

@briar_ridge_bikes will be organizing the races and cheering on the chaos. Thank you, @briar_ridge_bikes , for participating your first-ever Block Party!

See you on the streets on June 28th!

Take a memento home with you as a reminder of the

Take a memento home with you as a reminder of the fun you had at the 2025 Downtown Block Party! Screen print your own t-shirt with Wright House of Fashion, a local non-profit that finds meaning in creating opportunities for youth to build their skills in leadership, teamwork, and sustainable design principles. @wrightfashionhouse artists will help you press the ink directly onto the t-shirt and heat-cure it on the spot so you can wear it right away. This activity was a major draw last year - so much so that we’re bringing in THREE more screens to help speed up the lines. More t-shirts for everyone!

T-Shirt Screen Printing Sponsored by @chase. Thank you for joining us again!

See you on the streets on June 28th!

Father’s Day is this Sunday, June 15 — and if

Father’s Day is this Sunday, June 15 — and if you’re still looking for the perfect way to celebrate the dads, stepdads, and father figures in your life, Downtown Iowa City’s shops have you covered. 🎁

Whether he’s into music, food, fashion, or the great outdoors, there’s something special waiting in our local shops. For the dad who likes to keep it stylish, check out clothing, watches, and accessories at places like Ewers Men’s Store, @revivaliowacity, @handsjewelers, @glassandojewelry, @raygunshirts, @advancedeyecareic, and @herteens.

If he’s more of an adventurer, he’ll love the vintage bikes and canoes at @artifactsiowacity, a fresh stack of travel guides from @prairielightsbooks, or Hawkeye golf gear from @iowabook_ic.

For foodie dads and grillmasters, you can’t go wrong with high-quality kitchen knives, hot sauces, and specialty gifts from @prairiekitchenstore or @akardesignstore.

And if he’s into vinyl, guitars, comics, or collectibles, explore @rec_collect, @bartertowntoysandcollectibles, and @daydreamscomics — and maybe even surprise him with tickets to a live show at @iowacitygabes or @englerttheatre.

Don’t forget! If you received a Legacy Busi

📣 Don’t forget! If you received a Legacy Business Retail Bounce-back Voucher, this is your week to redeem it!

🛍️ Bring your voucher and your qualifying receipts (showing you spent $200 or more between May 19–28) into any participating retail Legacy Business in Downtown Iowa City and enjoy $40 off your purchase—our way of saying thank you for supporting the shops that have helped shape our community for 20+ years.

🗓️ Vouchers are valid now through June 14th, so don’t miss your chance to celebrate and support these long-standing, locally owned businesses!

Drumroll please!

Now introducing the

Drumroll please! 🥁🥁🥁

Now introducing the 2025 Downtown Block Party cup! We are so excited about this years' cup and are manifesting skies as blue as this for Saturday, June 28th!

We'd like to give a big thank you to @rdgusa for being our official 2025 Cup Sponsor. We couldn't do this event without their amazing team. And remember, if you are a 2025 Block Party Sponsor, you'll also have access to the @rdgusa VIP Sponsor Room.

Pre-sale cups are available now for $10 at downtowniowacity.com. Click the link in our bio to snag yours today.🩵🔆 Otherwise, $15 Day-of cups can be purchased at the event. These cups will allow you to enjoy an ice-cold beverage in the streets during the Downtown Block Party. But remember, if you're not looking to drink, no need to purchase a thing! Simply head on in to the event to enjoy all-day free entertainment, games, art, and more. See you on the streets on June 28th!

This Friday, June 6th from 5–8 p.m., Downtown Io

This Friday, June 6th from 5–8 p.m., Downtown Iowa City invites you to explore the Summer Gallery Walk, a self-guided evening of local art and community.

More than a dozen businesses will transform into mini galleries, each showcasing a different artist or collection. From watercolor paintings and metal sculptures to comic-style storytelling and whimsical alien ceramics, you’ll find creative surprises and inspiring work around every corner.

Grab a Gallery Walk postcard map at any participating location to guide your evening. Visit at least seven stops, collect a stamp at each one, and you’ll be entered to win a $50 gift card to @iowaartisansgallery! Completed cards can be turned in at any participating venue by the end of the night.

Make a night of it—shop your favorite stores, enjoy dinner downtown, and take in all the art along the way. With the Iowa Arts Festival happening the same weekend, it’s the perfect time to celebrate creativity in Downtown Iowa City.

@akardesignstore @arts_ic_artifactory @blick_iowacity @glassandojewelry @heimiowacity @iowaartisansgallery @prairielightsbooks @p_s_won @villages_iowacity @pentacrest.museums @uistanleymuseum

@shumpeiyamaki @andypblack @studioflameart @justin.scroggins @nancyromalov @allisonfretheimceramics @banannakain @loganfnaylor @davidlucksculpture @jacobsen1881 @goupell @craig.johnson.39982 @tlknox2019

Planning an event is made easy when we work with a

Planning an event is made easy when we work with amazing community partners. @englerttheatre has once again curated this year’s Block Party Main Stage entertainment lineup and we couldn’t be more jazzed. With a high-energy group kicking off the evening and an amazing alternative rock band closing out the night, the Ped Mall is going to be filled with talent, creative flair, and most likely a lot of dancing.

Thank you to our longtime sponsor, iBev, who supports our live stage entertainment. Their help in supporting this event allows us to bring in local and national talent. Read below for the 2025 MAIN STAGE LINEUP!

4:00 - 5:00 PM BYOBrass
6:00 - 7:00 PM La Rosa Noir
8:00 - 9:30 PM HOUNDS

@hounds are an alternative rock band based in Nashville, TN. Utilizing melodies that bury themselves deep in your mind, rich and intricate vocal harmony and a deep love for synth and catchy rhythms. HOUNDS create music that simultaneously acknowledges the past and celebrates the future.

Born & Raised in Chicago, IL. @larosanoir_ is known for their unique blend of surf, post punk, and Latin rhythms, tying them to their cultural heritage. Their debut album, “Arellano,” named after frontwoman Yeshi Regalado’s grandmother’s maiden name, pays tribute to her significant musical influence. With storytelling lyrics inspired by personal experiences, the album explores themes of relationships, loss, and self-discovery, set against a backdrop of dreamy dissonance and fiery punk energy.

@byobrass is a collective of musicians and educators from throughout the state of Iowa. Founded in 2017 by a group of friends and students at the University of Northern Iowa, the band quickly gained a following in the Cedar Falls area. Since relocating to the Des Moines metro in 2021, BYOBrass has taken their show and expanded their audience to the entire state of Iowa and the Midwest. BYOBrass draws inspiration from all across the musical spectrum and uses their influence to create high-energy original music as well as give their take on popular classics. Their live shows and eclectic mix of influences and styles are sure to please audiences of all ages!

See you on the street on June 28th!

What a difference a year makes! Today, we’re cel

What a difference a year makes! Today, we’re celebrating the one-year anniversary of the Downtown Ambassador Program and the incredible impact this team has had on our community and central business district.

Thanks to their hard work, dedication, and presence, Downtown has never looked better. Just take a look at the numbers from year one. From early mornings to late nights, rain or shine, this team shows up to make Downtown a more welcoming, safe, and clean place for everyone.

A special shoutout to Elsadig Ali, who was named our very first Ambassador of the Year! Elsadig’s positive spirit, reliability, and unwavering commitment to the job have made him a standout teammate. Always arriving on time, always willing to help, and always leading with a smile, he embodies everything the Ambassador Program stands for. Thank you, Elsadig!

👏 Thank you to all of our Downtown Ambassadors and our partners at the @cityofiowacity and @blockbyblock. We’ve made a remarkable difference in just one year, and we can’t wait to see what year two brings!

If you need help downtown, reach the Ambassador team directly by calling or texting 319-318-1041.

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