Madi Rink
Period 1
3/6/2017
They Say I Say- Response One Pager
It’s a saturday night, and no plans have been made yet. The question on everyone’s mind is what is their to do around Cedar Rapids that isn’t completely boring? The majority of teenagers who live in Cedar Rapids would answer that with a blunt “nothing.” Typically they feel that Cedar Rapids is a town with nothing to offer besides the ever obvious smells and local Pancheros. However, there are at least a few Cedar Rapids’ residents who would disagree with these teenager’s close-minded thinking. These people would say that their are plenty of activities offered by the City of Five Smells.
Not only is there just a few things to do around Cedar Rapids, there is over 50! According to the ‘GO Cedar Rapids’ organization, Cedar Rapids holds a plethora of activities and experiences throughout the year. Their list includes anything from buying delectable food at Newbo City Market, to “[walking] through the grounds and gardens at Brucemore. Not only does it provide different seasonal events, like watching one of our many local sports teams play, but it gives a list of varying restaurants that are worth trying out! Along with that, ‘Go Cedar Rapids’ lists year-round activities, such as ice skating at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena, or “[touring] the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library’s Faces of Freedom exhibit.” There are plenty of things to do in Cedar Rapids, and this list is just a start.
As a teenager who lives in Cedar Rapids myself, I can verify that some of those listed items are indeed fun. However, there are some that really aren’t, especially for someone my age. Yes, watching “fireworks at Freedom Festival on 4th of July” is fun, or going to a Cedar Rapids Kernels baseball game is a good time, but “[enjoying] a Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre performance” or “[learning] about maple syruping at Indian Creek Nature Center” isn’t exactly my cup of tea. I suppose that is the beauty of this list; it is tailored to everyone. Though you may not enjoy some of it activities it suggests, there are plenty of other items listed to choose from!
‘GO Cedar Rapids’ are not the only individuals who feel that Cedar Rapids has plenty to offer! Only occasionally do I find myself bored out of my mind, and when I do it doesn’t take me very long to come up with some impromptu plans that are actually loads of fun. Now don’t get me wrong, there were a few items on their ‘50 things to do in Cedar Rapids’ list that I didn’t particularly feel are that fun, especially to a 17-year old yearning for adventure. On the other side of things, the list offers some new ideas I hadn’t thought of before, which is exactly what I was looking for. From star-gazing at an observatory to eating at one of the oldest restaurants in Iowa, these 50 activities are some I’ve never thought about, and would consider trying.
This list is perfect for conjuring up plans around Cedar Rapids, for an assortment of all ages. It caters to everyone’s taste. Whether you’re a sports fan or have a love for arts, there is an array of experiences for all Cedar Rapids residents. As ‘GO Cedar Rapids’ has demonstrated, Cedar Rapids is not the boring city some believe it to be. It provides various amenities for everyone to enjoy. So, to the bored teenager sitting at home on a Saturday night, complaining about the lack of fun in Cedar Rapids, there is so much it offers, just go out and search!
Works Cited
“50 Things to Do: Take the GO Cedar Rapids Challenge!” GO Cedar Rapids. Web. 6 March 2017.
