September 17 is Crunch Berry Day, to be proclaimed by Cedar Rapids Mayor
Cedar Rapids, Iowa—Murals & More, a local Cedar Rapids nonprofit, is excited to announce the 3rd year of The Crunch Berry Run, a color run/walk fundraiser, taking place the morning of September 17, 2022, in partnership with the Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers’ Market and title sponsorship by The Quaker Oats Company. All proceeds from this event support Murals & More’s mission to cultivate public art in Cedar Rapids.
Inspired by the colors of Cedar Rapids’ world-famous Crunch Berries, this family-friendly fun run and walk starts and ends on the 2nd Ave Bridge in downtown Cedar Rapids. This non-competitive event is not timed and is appropriate for people of all ages and athletic abilities.
Clare Duffy and Eric Hanson, hosts of Z102.9’s The Morning Scramble, will join the fun as emcees of the opening program. Other features include live music by Miss Christine and an official proclamation of Crunch Berry Day by Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell.
Participants can expect to be covered in environmentally-friendly colored powder as they make their way through the route, up to approximately 5k (just over three miles). The out-and-back route allows participants to turn around at any point. Participants will experience fun surprises all along the way, including multiple music acts, art displays, and other interactive experiences like an illusionist and an up-close llama-petting area.
Nick Ludwig is chair of the group Murals & More organizing the event.
“The Crunch Berry Run is not your typical charity 5K, but rather a spectacle designed to bring out the creative side of everyone who participates,” Ludwig said. “It is definitely less about the run and more about the fun,” he added.
There were more than 800 registrants in 2021. Event organizers hope to continue to grow the event with a goal of more than 1,000 participants this year.
“This event is a really fun way to support our mission to add incredible public art in our community and build upon what makes Cedar Rapids an interesting place to live and visit,” Ludwig said.
Early pricing is available through August 26 at $18 per person. Young children age four and under can attend for free. Registration packets include sunglasses to wear during the event. T-shirts and fanny packs are available at an extra cost.
The event begins on September 17 with a short program at 9:00 AM, with participants starting the route around 9:20 AM. After crossing the finish line, the party continues on the 2nd Ave Bridge until 11:00 AM with music, family-friendly activities, and of course, Crunch Berries!
To learn more information and register, visit crunchberryrun.com.
In addition to The Quaker Oats Company, a full list of sponsors and event partners is available at the event website.
About Murals & More
Murals & More, The Cedar Rapids Mural Trail, is a nonprofit organization of volunteers dedicated to utilizing local architecture as the backdrop for public art in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. We connect artists with space for them to create and inspire. Learn more at www.crmurals.org.
Recent art installations organized by Murals & More include Fragments, by Nevercrew, on the 2nd Ave SE parking ramp, Seed to Sky, by Ruben Aguirre, on the Rowell Hardware Building (Dash Coffee Roasters) in Kingston Village, and Mucha Meets Iowa, by Ali Hval, on the Novak Building as the gateway to Czech Village facing the Cedar River.
About The Quaker Oats Company
The Quaker Oats Company, headquartered in Chicago, is a unit of PepsiCo, Inc., one of the world’s largest consumer packaged goods companies. For more than 140 years, Quaker’s brands have served as symbols of quality, great taste and nutrition. Quaker® Oats, Quaker® Rice Cakes and Quaker Chewy® Granola Bars are consumer favorites. For more information, please visit www.QuakerOats.com, www.Facebook.com/Quaker or follow us on Twitter and Instagram @Quaker.