The City of Council Bluffs, Iowa West Foundation and American National Bank have announced the full lineup of events for Loessfest 2016 (pronounced “Luss-fest”). Beginning Memorial Day weekend, Loessfest showcases Tom Hanafan River’s Edge Park, located at the foot of the Iowa side of the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge. The park is a regional amenity and Loessfest was created to celebrate all that it has to offer. Loessfest has drawn more than 100,000 people to the park in its first three years.

This year, American National Bank joins the City of Council Bluffs and the Iowa West Foundation as a presenting sponsor of Loessfest. In addition to the support of the three presenting sponsors and 36 additional generous sponsors, Loessfest will host a full lineup of free events beginning May 28:

• Saturday, May 28: Run Loess Half Marathon and 5K – The Run Loess Half Marathon and 5K, organized by the Council Bluffs YMCA, will kick off Loessfest at 8 a.m. The route starts and ends at the park, explores the trails, and ends with a celebration at the park complete with food and bounce houses. Registration is required for the race, but there is no cost for spectators. Thanks to presenting sponsor Warren Distribution, supporting partners Triple Crown Sports and Olsson Associates, supporter Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital and media partner the Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil.
• Saturday, May 28: Riverfront Block Party – This is not your average block party – it’s a family block party on the river! Bring the family to the park at 5 p.m. for food and entertainment, bounce houses, train rides, face painting, and other fun activities, and at 7 p.m., Disney Junior’s Imagination Movers takes the stage for a free concert! At dusk, it’s time for the first movie in the park of the year: Disney Pixar’s Inside Out. Thanks to presenting sponsor Red River Service Corp, supporting partners Mulhalls, Carley Construction and
• Sunday, May 29: Kool and the Gang with special guest Atlanta Rhythm Section – It’s the night we wait for all year to kick off summer: it’s a celebration with Kool and the Gang! Thanks to songs like Celebration, Cherish and Jungle Boogie, they’ve earned two Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, 25 Top Ten R&B hits, nine Top Ten Pop hits and 31 gold and platinum albums. Opening for Kool and the Gang is country rock band Atlanta Rhythm Section whose top 10 hits include So Into You and Imaginary Lover. The free concert begins at 7 p.m. Thank you to presenting sponsor American National Bank.
• Monday, May 30: Fireworks for Freedom Omaha Symphony Concert – Back for the fourth year by popular demand, the Omaha Symphony with Ernest Richardson, principal pops conductor, will present a free patriotic concert, Fireworks for Freedom, at 8 p.m. A fireworks show set to music will follow the performance. Thanks to presenting sponsors of the Omaha Symphony concert: HGM Associates Inc., Noddle Development and supporting partners Roloff Construction and Heartland Properties. Thanks to presenting sponsors of the Fireworks display: Doll Distributing, HDR, supporting partners J & M Displays, D & D Construction and media partner Omaha World-Herald.
• Tuesday, May 31: Bike the Bluffs – Loessfest is hosting a 22-mile bicycle ride beginning at the river at Tom Hanafan River’s Edge Park. The ride starts at 6 p.m., and will venture through the trails and through downtown Council Bluffs and back, with several optional stops along the way. Thank you to presenting sponsors Council Bluffs Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and Pottawattamie County Tourism and supporting partners Arby’s Panda Inc., Hamilton Associates, Eriksen Construction and supporter Alley Poyner Macchietto.
• Wednesday, June 1: Movie in the Park: Raiders of the Lost Ark – It’s been 35 years since our hero, archaeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones first hit the big screen to find the Ark of the Covenant. Ranked 36th among the top rated movies of all time by IMDb, this four-time Ocsar Winning film will hit the big, big screen at Tom Hanafan River’s Edge Park at 9 p.m. Thanks to supporting partners Kiewit Building Group, Snyder & Associates, Inc. Sherbondy’s, Sapp Brothers and Mid-America Center.
• Thursday, June 2: #ThrowbackThursday featuring The Return of Sprite Night – This year we have TWO throwbacks for twice the fun in TWO decades: First, Sweet 98 DJs Hot Scott and Rockett will take us back to the 90s, then we’ll hop back two decades to the 70s with a free concert by The 70’s Show featuring all your favorite 70s music. The show begins at 7 p.m. Thanks to presenting sponsor Broadmoor and 5 and supporting partners Coca-Cola and Judds Brothers.
• Friday, June 3 through Sunday, June 5: Taste of Omaha on the Riverfront – Taste of Omaha has established itself as the annual event bringing together a dazzling selection of great foods and culinary delights for people from throughout the region to taste, relax and enjoy as a family activity on the Riverfront.
• Sunday, June 5: GOLFFEST – This unique event will offer prizes galore as golfers will play 27 holes on both Dodge Riverside Golf Course and Westwood Golf Course — registration fee required, call 712-328-4660 — includes lunch and dinner. Spectators are welcome to watch the fun. Thank you to presenting sponsor Harrah’s and supporting partner Leach Camper Sales.
• Every Night: Rays Interactive Light Environment – Tom Hanafan River’s Edge Park features a “one-of-a-kind” interactive light display – Rays by artist Dan Corson – part of the Iowa West Public Art collection. Rays is a permanent exhibit at the Park with nightly displays – thanks to the Iowa West Foundation. Thanks supporting partner ABC Electric for their support of Rays during Loessfest.

Parking is available on both sides of the river for all Loessfest events, including the parking lot just north of Harrah’s Casino and in Harrah’s parking garage. Please note, due to construction, there is no longer parking available or access to the park from the old Playland Park area off Avenue B, just east of the Great Lawn. To avoid traffic delays and to reserve your spot on the Great Lawn in the park, please consider carpooling and arrive early for Loessfest events.

For more information, please visit Loessfest.com.