Ross Steinbron, owner of Country Roots Farm, celebrated his birthday with his family while working at the Cedar Falls Farmers Market on Saturday, July 4, 2026. (Anelia K. Dimitrova photo)
Kassidy Krapfl, and her boyfriend, Chayton Bridgeman, posed by her hand-crafted candles at the Cedar Falls Farmers Market on Saturday. She launched Kiki's Kandles in 2024 while a student at UNI. (Anelia K. Dimitrova photo)
Lowell Brown, of Browns Gardens, was busy pairing up bunches of red beats at the Cedar Falls Farmers Market on Saturday, July 4. (Anelia K. Dimitrova photo)
Downtown Cedar Falls features a lot of sculptures, which add to the character of the community. (Anelia K. Dimitrova photo)
Some stores were open in downtown on July 4. (Anelia K. Dimitrova photo)
The owner of Vintage Iron, Julie Shimek, decorated the storefront with a July 4th theme. (Anelia K. Dimitrova photo)
This mural was created last year in anticipation of RAGBRAI, which overnighted in Cedar Falls. (Anelia K. Dimitrova photo)
Darron Olson was working on July 4 in his new business, Frankie's Ice Cream Parlor, to get it ready as soon as possible. The building was once a train depot. (Anelia K. Dimitrova photo)
Lawn City is an event venue, recently added to downtown. (Anelia K. Dimitrova photo)
Cleanup from recent storms continued for some people on the July 4. (Anelia K. Dimitrova photo)
Dawn Wilson, owner of Cup of Joe, took a short break for a portrait at the cafe on Saturday, July 4, 2026. The coffee shop has been instrumental in reinvigorating the culture of downtown. (Anelia K. Dimitrova photo)
Tim and Symantha Aydt enjoy the Cedar River at Gateway Park with their two Great Pyrenees, Beauregard and Lily on Saturday, July 4, 2026. (Anelia K. Dimitrova photo)
Gateway Park connects to the trails that Cedar Falls is known for. (Anelia K. Dimitrova photo)
Lt. Robert Hibbs, depicted on the left face of the Freedom Rock, graduated from UNI in 1964 with a bachelor's degree in history and social science. He served in Vietnam and made the ultimate sacrifice, for which he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor by President Lyndon Johnson. He was 23 years old. (Anelia K. Dimitrova photo)
Depicted on this side of the Freedom Rock are the five Sullivan brothers, from Waterloo, who served together on the USS Juneau and were killed in action in 1942. (Anelia K. Dimitrova photo)
One of the four scenes painted on the Freedom Rock shows Cedar Falls veteran Taylor Morris. A Navy Explosive Ordinance Disposal officer, Morris was injured in Afghanistan. A Gold Star mother is pictured in the background. (Anelia K. Dimitrova photo)
Intergenerational connections and respect for the flag is also displayed on the Freedom Rock. (Anelia K. Dimitrova photo)
Friends enjoy drinks at Moo's Bakery, after taking a class at Align Studio just down the street on College Hill. (Anelia K. Dimitrova photo)
Big Woods Lake is one of the big draws for the community in the summer. (Anelia K. Dimitrova photo)
Kevin Rose, right, and his son, Blake, left, pose with Blake's children at Big Woods Lake on Saturday, July 4, 2026. (Anelia K. Dimitrova photo)
Kevin Rose, right, shares a moment with his son, Blake, and pup, Miley, at Big Woods Lake on Saturday, July 4, 2026. (Rick Truax photo)
Boaters setting out and coming in congregate on the north side of Big Woods lake on July 4. (Rick Truax photo)
Boaters head to shore at Big Woods Lake on Saturday. A break in high temperatures and humidity seen in the last week provided a respite for outdoor activities. (Rick Truax photo)
A kayaker at Big Woods Lake leaves a long wake as he puts ashore on Saturday, July 4, 2026. (Rick Truax photo)
A boater enjoys a tranquil moment while fishing on Big Woods Lake on Saturday, July 4, 2026. (Rick Truax photo)
Kevin Rose, with his pup, Miley, stroll along the north path at Big Woods Lake on Saturday, July 4, 2026. (Rick Truax photo)
Farm and recreation equipment stand at the ready along Cottage Row Road on Saturday, July 4, 2026. (Rick Truax photo)
Andy Shimek sets up an air-filled, Fourth-of-July-themed eagle on his property along the Cedar River on Saturday, July 4, 2026. Shimek was preparing to have guests over for a holiday celebration. (Rick Truax photo)
A boater heads northwest on the Cedar River on Saturday, July 4, 2026. (Rick Truax photo)
Boaters are seen from Cottage Row Road in Cedar Falls heading northwest on the Cedar River on Saturday, July 4, 2026. Enjoying the river is a traditional way to celebrate Independence Day in Cedar Falls. (Rick Truax photo)
Ross Steinbron, owner of Country Roots Farm, celebrated his birthday with his family while working at the Cedar Falls Farmers Market on Saturday, July 4, 2026. (Anelia K. Dimitrova photo)
