Club & Community Events
Steak Fry and Annual Meeting
Dinner, 2027 officer elections, and plans for next year. Everyone's welcome.
Ellis Fireworks: 50 Years | America's 250th
🚨‼️ CRITICAL FIREWORKS ANNOUNCEMENT — SHOOT SITE CHANGE FOR 2026 ‼️🚨
The fireworks are ON for America's 250th anniversary and 50 years of Cedar Boat Club fireworks. The shoot site has changed to an island a little downriver of the original site, in what we boaters call "Woodpecker Chute".
It will still be directly viewable from Ellis Harbor and along Ellis Boulevard.
Please note that we will not have food vendors this year.
Fireworks begin around sunset.
Spring Auction
Going once, going twice… SOLD!
The Cedar Boat Club Spring Auction is back — and we need your help to make it a success!
Join us on Saturday, April 11th, at The Double Z Bar & Grill at 3:30 PM for a fun afternoon supporting the 2026 Ellis July 3rd Fireworks on the Cedar River — a tradition we've been proud to keep alive for 50 years.
The auction is only as good as the items on the table, so we're actively seeking donation items, gift baskets, and boating, fishing, and outdoor gear. Not sure if your item is a good fit? Reach out — we'd love to discuss it!
To donate an item or volunteer, contact Don Steichen, Jeffrey Kaas, or any current board member. You can also DM us on Facebook or fill out our Auction Item Donation Form on this site.
Can't donate? Spread the word — maybe a friend or neighbor has something great for us!
See you there! ⚓
Want to see what’s up for auction? View the item preview gallery!
November Open Board Meeting
Monthly open board meetings are on the 3rd Thursday of the month. Agenda for these meetings: Budget review, debrief recent events, and plan for future events.
These meetings are always open to the membership!
November Soup Flights & Silent Auction
Join us at the Eagle’s Club for an evening getting into the fall spirit with assorted soups and stews, as well as bakery fresh bread and butter, and all the fixin’s! We will wrap up our Fall Silent Auction in person with your last chance to bid on some really fantastic items.
Free for Club Members, $10 entry per non-member.
October Open Board Meeting
Monthly open board meetings are on the 3rd Thursday of the month. Agenda for these meetings: Budget review, debrief recent events, and plan for future events.
These meetings are always open to the membership!
2024 Steak Fry & Annual Meeting
Join us for our Fall Steak Fry & Annual Meeting on Saturday, October 5th from 5 - 7:30 pm (Meeting 6-7:30 pm). At the Annual Meeting, we will plan for the 2025 season, including Board elections, event committee sign-ups, and preliminary setting of the 2025 event roster.
September Open Board Meeting
Monthly open board meetings are on the 3rd Thursday of the month. Agenda for these meetings: Budget review, debrief recent events, and plan for future events.
These meetings are always open to the membership!
Scavenger Hunt
Check-in at the point of the pier at 11 am. You will get your starting clue and can set off on your adventure! You will need to deboard your boat in most places to get your next clue, so we encourage you to bring a nimble adult or a child to assist. We will have snacks and games waiting at the final location! Prizes for the first 10 boats to the final rendezvous.
Free for CBC members - $20 for non-member boats.
August Open Board Meeting
Monthly open board meetings are on the 3rd Thursday of the month. Agenda for these meetings: Budget review, debrief recent events, and plan for future events.
These meetings are always open to the membership!
Canceled - Fire on the River Drag Boat Races
The races unfortunately have been canceled due to permitting and scheduling issues that we were not able to overcome.
July Open Board Meeting
Monthly open board meetings are on the 3rd Thursday of the month. Agenda for these meetings: Budget review, debrief recent events, and plan for future events.
These meetings are always open to the membership!
July 3rd Ellis Fireworks Sponsored by Cassill Motors
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.
June Open Board Meeting
Monthly open board meetings are on the 3rd Thursday of the month. Agenda for these meetings: Budget review, debrief recent events, and plan for future events.
These meetings are always open to the membership!
Ellis Family Fun Fest
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!
CANCELED… Vessel Safety Checks
Canceled due to high water levels closing river access.
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!
May Open Board Meeting
Monthly open board meetings are on the 3rd Thursday of the month. Agenda for these meetings: Budget review, debrief recent events, and plan for future events.
These meetings are always open to the membership!
Spring Breakfast
Join us for a wonderful breakfast cooked by your 2024 CBC Board Members. Menu includes: eggs, sausage, bacon, pancakes, potatoes o’brien, toast, OJ and coffee.
Free for Club Members, $10 per plate for non-members.
April Open Board Meeting
Monthly open board meetings are on the 3rd Thursday of the month. Agenda for these meetings: Budget review, debrief recent events, and plan for future events.
These meetings are always open to the membership!
Spring Auction
The Spring Auction is the Cedar Boat Club’s premiere fundraiser each year to support the expenses of the Ellis Fireworks. Join us for the opportunity to bid on all sorts of decor, outdoor, and entertainment auction items. We also ask members and supporters to donate items for the event.
All proceeds go towards the 2024 Ellis Fireworks!
Please invite your family and friends.
March Membership Meeting
Calling all Auction Items!!! April 6th is our Spring Auction, the CBC's primary fundraiser each spring. This one event makes or breaks the fireworks. If you have any auction donations that you feel would raise some proverbial paddles, we'd love to put them to good use.
February Membership Meeting
February brings with it our Spring Membership Drive. Free CBC prize packs for new members and referring members get a gift card for each member recruited! 2024 event calendars available. Invite your friends and family!
January Membership Meeting
2024 is here and it's time to get planning for the CBC event season. We're trying hard to get the club back to the good ol' days of highly-active members pulling off lots of family-friendly events throughout the year! Please join us for this first membership meeting of the year. We'd like to present our plan for the year and hopefully generate some excitement.
Open to all members and prospective members!