Blocktober Fest 2025 took place in down town Cedar Rapids on Saturday September 6th from 5:00PM-11:00PM. Blocktober Fest is an annual event presented by the Fun not Fancy Restaurant group and Down Town Cedar Rapids. It has been held in down town Cedar Rapids since 2021. The concert featured the Schmidt Brothers Band, and the Large Midgets as the openers with the Pork Tornadoes as the headliner. The event is sponsored by Mango Mustache Media, Cedar Ridge Distillery, I’m On Communications, US. Foods, E&J Electric INC Geothermal INC, Collins Community Credit Union, and Van Meter INC.
Cliffs Dive Bar Employee Ryan Young makes hamburgers and hotdogs for customers during the Blocktoberfest concert on Saturday evening. Cliffs opened in 2021, and is part of the Fun not Fancy Restaurant Group.
Gabe Schmidt of the Schmidt Brothers band performs during the fourth annual Blocktoberfest celebration on Saturday September 6th. The Schmidt Brothers were the first of three musical acts to perform during the evening.
Megan Meese dances to the music of the Schmidt Brothers Band while enjoying the annual Blocktoberfest celebration with friends. The Schmidt Brothers will also be performing at Q Casino + Resort in Dubuque tomorrow.
Fun not Fancy Restaurant Group volunteer Mercedes Moore pours a drink for a customer on Saturday evening. Moore has volunteered at all four Blocktober Fest concerts.
Bricks Bar and Grille General Manager Elaine Brandt sells some drinks to a customer while working at the Blocktober Fest Celebration on Saturday. Brandt has worked at every Blocktober Fest celebration.
The Original Tankarita owner Kevin “Tank” Koeneke (center) introduces the The Large Midgets Band. The Large Midgets are based in Cedar Rapids and have been performing since the year 2000.
Large Midgets lead singer Steve Kappler performs with the rest of the band during Saturday nights concert. The Large Midgets performed a mix of Pop and Rock music for the crowd in down town Cedar Rapids.
Pork Tornadoes lead singer Mason Greve performs for the crowd during the Blocktober Fest celebration on Saturday September 6th. The Pork Tornadoes also headlined last years Blocktober Fest.
Keyboard player Jerry Lorenson performs for the crowd with the rest of the Pork Tornadoes during Saturday evenings Blocktober Fest Celebration. The Pork Tornadoes have played over 600 shows over the last 13 years.