Cedar Boat Club

Registered 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to making the Cedar River and Ellis Harbor area a better place.
Established 1948

Drone Video Footage: Jacob Huber Photo
Donate Online

Supporting the local boating & Ellis Harbor community since 1948.

The Cedar Boat Club has been providing community events and service for decades toward the betterment of the Cedar River, boating community, and the neighborhoods surrounding the Ellis Harbor area. The Club has provided a free-to-the-public July 3rd Fireworks show for 40+ years, as well as other family-friendly events like the Fire on the River Drag Boat Races. New this year we’re launching a brand-new event in June called the Family Fun Fest!

Our membership base, though small and exclusive, does big things! There are open membership spots available… Check out the benefits of membership in 2024.

We also accept donations online as well as at any of our events. 90% of our annual budget comes from sponsorships and personal donations. Please consider donating!

2024 Board of Directors

  • Brent Fountain, Commodore

  • Chad Hutchcroft, 1st Vice

  • Adam Osten, 2nd Vice

  • Andrew Balsanek, Treasurer

  • Jody Bowers, PR/Secretary

  • Don Steichen, Cruise Captain

  • Jeffrey Kaas (educational leave)

Community Events

The Cedar Boat Club puts on several large-scale events each year for the benefit of the surrounding communities. We hope to see you at one this year!

Featured
Vessel Safety Checks
May 25
Ellis Harbor Boat Ramp
Vessel Safety Checks
Ellis Harbor Boat Ramp

This is a boater safety check happening at the Ellis Harbor boat ramp, in coordination with the Sheriff and DNR. Get your boat checked while launching to ensure you have all the necessary safety equipment for a fun summer out on the water!

Ellis Harbor Boat Ramp
Ellis Family Fun Fest
Jun 8
Ellis park
Ellis Family Fun Fest
Ellis park

This is a new family-friendly event for 2024, featuring the long-awaited return of the Freedom Festival Cardboard Boat Races! The day starts with a Pancake Fundraiser Breakfast, a Carnival Fun Zone with games and inflatables, a Car & Watercraft Show in Ellis Park, plus food & craft vendors and music in the park to end the day. So many attractions for families to enjoy all in one place!

Ellis park
July 3rd Ellis Fireworks Sponsored by Cassill Motors
Jul 3
Ellis Park & Harbor area
July 3rd Ellis Fireworks Sponsored by Cassill Motors
Ellis Park & Harbor area

The Cedar Boat Club is excited to announce the return of the Ellis Fireworks back to it’s historic date on Wednesday, July 3rd after dark. The Club has provided a free July 3rd fireworks display at Ellis Park & Harbor for more than 40 years, returning in 2023 after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic. The Ellis Fireworks have been an annual tradition for generations of Cedar Rapids families, with an estimated attendance of 40,000 residents and visitors.

Ellis Park & Harbor area
Fire on the River Drag Boat Races
Aug 3
Five Seasons Ski Show, Ellis Park & Harbor
Fire on the River Drag Boat Races
Five Seasons Ski Show, Ellis Park & Harbor

The races begin at 1 pm. The 2024 Drag Boat Races will take place on the Cedar River, with the finish line near the Five Seasons Ski Team ski bleachers. The course will be 800 ft. Racers must register online and pay non-refundable $20 deposit.

Five Seasons Ski Show, Ellis Park & Harbor

Corporate Sponsors

  • Cassill Motors

    Presenting Sponsor

  • Ellis Harbor Neighborhood Assn

    Admiral Sponsor

  • IFP Motion Solutions

    Admiral Sponsor

  • NW Neighbors Neighborhood Assn

    Admiral Sponor

  • Mike Wolfe Painting

    Captain Sponsor

  • All Seasons Construction

    Captain Sponsor

Recent Water Levels

River level

River Level at Palo (Blairs Ferry Rd)

Historic Crests
(1) 31.12 ft on 06/13/2008
(2) 21.97 ft on 09/27/2016
(3) 20.00 ft on 03/18/1929
(4) 20.00 ft on 06/01/1851
(5) 19.66 ft on 03/31/1961
(6) 19.27 ft on 04/04/1993
(7) 18.60 ft on 04/04/1933
(8) 18.51 ft on 04/10/1965
(9) 18.32 ft on 03/19/2019
(10) 18.31 ft on 07/25/1999

Water Temperature