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Loessfest


Loessfest is an annual celebration of the all of the great things happening in Council Bluffs, as well as our unique landscape.

Established in 2013, Loessfest kicks off the summer season beginning Memorial Day weekend and offers a wide array of free events with something for everyone to enjoy. In our first two years, Loessfest has drawn more than 66,000 people from all over the region to our riverfront.

The grand opening concert performance for Loessfest, as well as the newly completed and dedicated Tom Hanafan River's Edge Park, was The Beach Boys. The park's Great Lawn was filled front to back with an estimated 17,000 people of all ages listening, dancing, singing along and cheering while "America's band" worked through their playlist of countless hits. The heartland's own Mulberry Lane opened the show.

In addition, the 2013 event line-up included: the Omaha Symphony and Fireworks, Playing with Fire concert, Food Truck Festival, several Movies in the Park nights, Rumble on the River youth soccer tournament, Bluffs Bash family festival, a performance by the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and the launch of the permanent exhibit Rays, an interactive light environment by artist Dan Corson that is part of the Iowa West Public Art collection.

Loessfest 2014 came back strong with our Three Times the Fun Concert featuring Three Dog Night, The Guess Who and Loverboy; as well as Fireworks for Freedom and the Omaha Symphony, Movies in the Park, Xtreme Obstacle Challenge, Bike the Bluffs, GolfFest, Semi-Pro Football Kicks It at the River, and Disney Day featuring The Official Stand Up Tour.