This August, the Newbo district will host a new festival called Newbo Evolve. The festival will start on Friday, August 3 and go until Sunday, August 5. The festival will include several sessions on varying subjects. These sessions will include dance, gardening, cooking, technology, and more. The festival will also showcase performances by well-known musicians, such as Maroon 5 and Kelly Clarkson, and aslo special art exhibits, a Newbo Design Garden, and an outdoor lounge for pass holders. There will also be a zip line built over the Cedar River that will be open to the public May through August.

“Newbo Evolve is music, art, and inspiration,” the Newbo Evolve Committee said. “This multi-faceted three-day festival celebrates the creative Bohemian spirit through music, fashion, dance, food, art and technology.”

The sessions will include speeches by celebrated keynote speakers and interactive sessions. They will be spread out over the three day period. Kelly Clarkson will perform on Friday night, and Maroon 5 will perform on Saturday night. They will perform at a new, but temporary, outdoor stage. While some speakers and musicians have already been announced, an official itinerary has yet to be released.

“I think Newbo Evolve sounds like it will be a lot of fun, and it’s something different for Cedar Rapids,” senior Ellen Welch said. “I think it will bring a lot of publicity to our town. There are some big name musicians coming, so people will really enjoy getting to go to those concerts.”

There are passes currently available that allow participants to go to all three days of the festival. Newbo Evolve plans on selling 4,000 three-day passes. The passes cost $375 plus fees and taxes. If one does not want to buy a pass to all three days, they can buy tickets to just the Maroon 5 or Kelly Clarkson concerts. Tickets for Maroon 5 start at $70, and tickets for Kelly Clarkson start at $54.50. All tickets are currently available for purchase.

Kathleen Kenney

A&E Writer