Join us for the annual Midsummer Garden Arts Fair in the Shakespeare Garden at Ellis Park!

Stroll in the garden with refreshments starting at 6:30pm.
Settle in your lawn chir at 7:00pm for music, dancing, and poetry!

Scenes from Shakespeare, music, and dance provided by: Five Seasons Chamber Music Festival, Kat Hahn from Northern Iowa Shakespeare Festival, Dennis Barnett, and Carol Maxwell Rezabek.

This event wouldn't be possible without assistance and support from the Northwest Neighbors Neighborhood Association, the Grandon Foundation, City of Cedar Rapids, Cedar Rapids Garden Club, Linn County Master Gardeners, Wednesday Shakespeare Club, Beethoven Club, Transamerica, and the Giacoletto Foundation.

(In case of rain, the event will be moved to the Overlook pavillion in the park.)

Enjoy Father's Day at the Shakespeare Garden in Ellis Park!

2:00PM - 3:00PM (CT)

An hour of madrigals from the time of Shakespeare and polkas (part of Cedar Rapids' Czech heritage) performed by the East Side Brass Quartet.

Sponsored by Five Seasons Chamber Music. With members of the Wednesday Shakespeare Club who will be available to answer questions.

Landscape designer Natalie Ross will share insight regarding her designs for the revitalization of our nearly 100-year-old garden. Wednesday Shakespeare Club members will describe plants from Shakespeare's play "Midsummer Night's Dream." And, enjoy a plant market from a variety of gardeners while contributing to the enrichment of our nonprofit partners and be ready for some surprising, limited offerings from our community. Don't miss this opportunity for learning and sharing in the beautiful and tranquil Ellis Park Shakespeare Garden.

2:00PM - 4:00PM (CT)

Thanks to our partners with Linn County Master Gardeners, GROW, Cedar Rapids Garden Club, Northwest Neighbors Neighborhood Association, and Wednesday Shakespeare Club for co-hosting and/or supporting this event.

Join us for a beautiful autumn evening in the garden as we celebrate our incredible volunteers, Northwest neighbors, and Friends of Shakespeare Garden. Enjoy apple cider, small bites, and the sounds of live jazz—sponsored by Five Seasons Chamber Music—along with a touch of Shakespeare performed by Dennis Barnett.

Bring a lawn chair, relax under the fall colors, and share in the warmth of community, creativity, and nature. 🍂🎶

In partnership with the Eastern Iowa Arts Academy, join the Friends of Shakespeare Garden for some family fun!

Free activities for the kids (must be accompanied by a parent or guardian) in the garden include:

-crafts
-face painting
-decorate a mini clay pot and plant seeds in your pot
-acoustic music to enjoy throughout the afternoon

Volunteer opportunity! Join us on Wednesday, October 23 to help clean up the garden. In the event of rain, we’ll meeting on Friday, October 25th.

Group gardening takes place every Wednesday, June through September. Adopt a garden bed and take care of the 4X8 ft. space.

Dedicate the bed to a loved one or share your favorite quote with garden visitors on the Garden bed dedication plaque.

Time subject to change based on weather.

Group gardening takes place every Wednesday, June through September. Adopt a garden bed and take care of the 4X8 ft. space.

Dedicate the bed to a loved one or share your favorite quote with garden visitors on the Garden bed dedication plaque.

Time subject to change based on weather.

Group gardening takes place every Wednesday, June through September. Adopt a garden bed and take care of the 4X8 ft. space.

Dedicate the bed to a loved one or share your favorite quote with garden visitors on the Garden bed dedication plaque.

Time subject to change based on weather.

Group gardening takes place every Wednesday, June through September. Adopt a garden bed and take care of the 4X8 ft. space.

Dedicate the bed to a loved one or share your favorite quote with garden visitors on the Garden bed dedication plaque.

Time subject to change based on weather.

Group gardening takes place every Wednesday, June through September. Adopt a garden bed and take care of the 4X8 ft. space.

Dedicate the bed to a loved one or share your favorite quote with garden visitors on the Garden bed dedication plaque.

Time subject to change based on weather.

Group gardening takes place every Wednesday, June through September. Adopt a garden bed and take care of the 4X8 ft. space.

Dedicate the bed to a loved one or share your favorite quote with garden visitors on the Garden bed dedication plaque.

Time subject to change based on weather.

Group gardening takes place every Wednesday, June through September. Adopt a garden bed and take care of the 4X8 ft. space.

Dedicate the bed to a loved one or share your favorite quote with garden visitors on the Garden bed dedication plaque.

Time subject to change based on weather.

Group gardening takes place every Wednesday, June through September. Adopt a garden bed and take care of the 4X8 ft. space.

Dedicate the bed to a loved one or share your favorite quote with garden visitors on the Garden bed dedication plaque.

Time subject to change based on weather.

Group gardening takes place every Wednesday, June through September. Adopt a garden bed and take care of the 4X8 ft. space.

Dedicate the bed to a loved one or share your favorite quote with garden visitors on the Garden bed dedication plaque.

Time subject to change based on weather.

Group gardening takes place every Wednesday, June through September. Adopt a garden bed and take care of the 4X8 ft. space.

Dedicate the bed to a loved one or share your favorite quote with garden visitors on the Garden bed dedication plaque.

Time subject to change based on weather.

Group gardening takes place every Wednesday, June through September. Adopt a garden bed and take care of the 4X8 ft. space.

Dedicate the bed to a loved one or share your favorite quote with garden visitors on the Garden bed dedication plaque.

Time subject to change based on weather.

Group gardening takes place every Wednesday, June through September. Adopt a garden bed and take care of the 4X8 ft. space.

Dedicate the bed to a loved one or share your favorite quote with garden visitors on the Garden bed dedication plaque.

Time subject to change based on weather.

Group gardening takes place every Wednesday, June through September. Adopt a garden bed and take care of the 4X8 ft. space.

Dedicate the bed to a loved one or share your favorite quote with garden visitors on the Garden bed dedication plaque.

Time subject to change based on weather.

The third annual Midsummer Garden Arts Fair is scheduled for June 29, 2024 in the Shakespeare Garden at Ellis Park.

The festivities will officially begin at 7:00pm, but everyone is welcome to arrive a little early to set up their lawn chairs, blankets, and picnic paraphernalia. In the unwelcome chance of rain, the event will be moved to Overlook Pavilion in Ellis Park.

Representing the Northwest Neighbors Neighborhood Association, Al Pierson will introduce the festivities for the evening. The event includes many renowned musicians who are part of the Five Seasons Chamber Music Festival. Music will be a mix of medieval, folk music from Shakespeare’s time, and other classical selections. Darren and Robyn Crow will read a scene as Benedick and Beatrice from Much Ado About Nothing. Dancing and music, “Sweet Kate (English Country Dance)” by John Young will be performed. The dancers will be staged by Carol Maxwell Rezabek. As part of the audience, you will have the opportunity to join in and learn the dance. Selections from Shakespeare will be read by Stephanie Wagor, President of the Wednesday Shakespeare Club. Madrigal singing will be directed by Fred Kiser.

An update on the progress of the renovation of the garden will be shared by Lisa Ramlo of Friends of Shakespeare Garden.

This event is a family event, sponsored by: The Northwest Neighbors Neighborhood Association, Five Seasons Chamber Music Festival, Cedar Rapids Garden Club, The City of Cedar Rapids, The Wednesday Shakespeare Club, and Friends of Shakespeare Garden.

Photo opportunities with the Bard himself will be available.

View photos from last year’s fair here.

Group gardening takes place every Wednesday, June through September. Adopt a garden bed and take care of the 4X8 ft. space.

Dedicate the bed to a loved one or share your favorite quote with garden visitors on the Garden bed dedication plaque.

Time subject to change based on weather.

Group gardening takes place every Wednesday, June through September. Adopt a garden bed and take care of the 4X8 ft. space.

Dedicate the bed to a loved one or share your favorite quote with garden visitors on the Garden bed dedication plaque.

Time subject to change based on weather.

Group gardening takes place every Wednesday, June through September. Adopt a garden bed and take care of the 4X8 ft. space.

Dedicate the bed to a loved one or share your favorite quote with garden visitors on the Garden bed dedication plaque.

Time subject to change based on weather.