The 5th Annual Downtown Block Party held June 25 in Iowa City drew an estimated 30,000 attendees. The event heavily promoted the local economy of downtown businesses as there were no outside vendors allowed to be a part of the event.
 In addition to the economic impact for the downtown businesses, the event was fueled by community volunteers from various service organizations, charities, and non-profits with over $20,000 donated to the participating partners and groups.
Attendees of all ages enjoyed various programming elements throughout 14 blocks of the downtown area. From live music, Silent Disco, Blitz Chess Tournament, to Studio 13’s Drag Show, the event welcomed new entertainment, like SCWPro Wrestling, and a variety of annual favorites.Â
The downtown will welcome visitors again this weekend with Summer of the Art’s Iowa City Jazz Festival planned July 1-3. Free music from two stages of free music will showcase a variety of well-known jazz musicians and up-and-coming talent alongside national and international artists to encourage and educate a jazz audience of all ages. Friday night performances will take place on the Ped Mall Stage outside of the Graduate Hotel with Saturday taking over Clinton Street and Iowa Avenue for two days filled with jazz, food and beverages, vendors and more. Fireworks will be held July 2 at around 9:30pm on the Pentacrest after the last performance of Jazz Fest.
