FRY Fest Info
This page is presented in an effort to answer all of your FRY Fest questions. If you don’t find the answer to your question here, feel free to contact us through the email link or phone number listed at the very top navigation bar.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Will Hayden Fry be there?
- I know somebody named after Hayden. Can they meet Hayden?
- Where can I purchase concert tickets?
- Where can I purchase tickets to the football game?
- Where can I sign up to be an exhibitor at FRY Fest?
- Will this be an annual event?
- Are dogs welcome at the concert?
- What is the Gold Bowl?
- Will I be able to purchase a High Porch Picnic Basket at the tradeshow?
- Are children welcome at the tradeshow?
- Where is the Beverage Garden?
- Are all the activities free?
- If I leave the concert area, can I get back in?
- Can I bring my own food and beverages into the Concert area?
- Will there be Hawkeye merchandise available to buy at the tradeshow?
- Will there be more activities added to this website?
- Where can I go for information on the day of the event?
- Are concert tickets more expensive the day of the event?
- Will there be a cab service available?
- Will the football team be there?
- Will there be space to park bicycles?
- Where can I volunteer?
- When do I have to book a hotel package by?
- Is there a concert refund policy?
- What safety measures are in place for this event?
- Will Ed Podolak be one of the announcers on hand?
- Is the tradeshow air conditioned?
- Where can I park?
Will Hayden Fry be there?
Yes! Hayden and Shirley Fry will be in town that weekend. Hayden will take part in the Hayden Fry Way Ceremony, some of the Tradeshow activities, and attend the Pep Rally.
I know somebody named after Hayden. Can they meet Hayden?
Quite possibly. If you are named Hayden or know somebody or some pet that was named after Hayden, we want to hear from you! We want to know your story. Click here to submit your Hayden photo and story for possible inclusion in two FRY Fest exhibits at the University of Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame and the Johnson County Historical Society! All photos and stories must be submitted by August 1st.
Where can I purchase concert tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in-person at several locations in the Iowa City/Coralville Area. Click here for more info.
Where can I purchase tickets to the football game?
Tickets for the University of Iowa vs University of Northern Iowa football game, or any other Hawkeye game, can be purchased by visiting www.hawkeyesports.com.
Where can I sign up to be an exhibitor at FRY Fest?
Officially licensed University of Iowa vendors and/or retailers can sign up here on this website. Click here for more info.
Will this be an annual event?
That is certainly our intent!
Are dogs welcome at the concert?
Yes! Dogs are welcome at the concert, but must be on leash at all times. You are also responsible for cleaning up after your dog. If either of these rules are violated, you may be asked to leave the concert area. This is a family-friendly event and we want everyone to be able to enjoy it, including Fido!
What is the Gold Bowl?
All Hawkeye fans are encouraged to BE BOLD and WEAR GOLD for the first home game. For the past 3 years, the University of Iowa Sports Marketing division has created a Gold Bowl game and a Blackout Game. Official GOLD BOWL shirts will soon be available at retailers throughout Iowa. Learn more by visiting the merchandise section of our website.
Will I be able to purchase a High Porch Picnic Basket at the tradeshow?
No. The Limited Edition High Porch Picnic Basket Gift Sets are only available though one of the area hotels. Learn more about these various packages by visiting the Hotel Package section of our website.
Are children welcome at the tradeshow?
Not only are they welcomed, they are encouraged to attend. The Iowa Children’s Museum will have a special exhibit, and there will be plenty of activities and fun for people of all ages!!
Where is the Beverage Garden?
The Beverage Garden will be located within the concert grounds of the Iowa River Landing.
Are all the activities free?
All activities are free and open to the public with the exception of the concert. Admission to the concert will be $10, children 5 and under are FREE!
If I leave the concert area, can I get back in?
Yes. Upon admission, you will receive a wristband.
Can I bring my own food and beverages into the Concert area?
No. Food vendors and a Beverage Garden will be on-site with all proceeds to benefit the Coralville 4th Fest Committee.
Will there be Hawkeye merchandise available to buy at the tradeshow?
Yes. Just about everything you have seen or heard about in the world of Hawkeye merchandise will be on display and, in most cases, available for purchase that day!
Will there be more activities added to this website?
Yes. As the event date nears, more and more of information and details will be added to the site. You can also keep tabs on us by following us on Facebook and Twitter. See the top navigation bar of this website for more info.
Where can I go for information on the day of the event?
The tradeshow will include an Iowa City/Coralville Area CVB booth who will be able to answer all of your FRY Fest and community questions.
Are concert tickets more expensive the day of the event?
Unfortunately, yes. Be sure to get them early though! Three great bands, one VERY low price!
Will there be a cab service available?
Yes. Cab service will be available starting at 9:00PM in the roundabout at 9th Street and Quarry Rd.
Will the football team be there?
No, but the UI Marching Band will be…along with student athletes and coaches from just about every other UI sports team.
Will there be space to park bicycles?
Yes! And we strongly encourage traveling this way!
Where can I volunteer?
First off, THANK YOU for your interest in volunteering. There are several areas of FRY Fest where we need your help. Click here to register as a FRY Fest volunteer.
When do I have to book a hotel package by?
Hotel packages will be available until sold out. Keep in mind that only 750 are available and there are just over 2400 rooms available in the Iowa City/Coralville Area so book early!
Is there a concert refund policy?
No. All concert tickets sales are final.
What safety measures are in place for this event?
The FRY Fest Committee takes safety very seriously and is working alongside the Coralville Police Department and other public officials in coordinating all activities.
Will Ed Podolak be one of the announcers on hand?
Yes… and so will the Voice of the Hawkeyes, Gary Dolphin.
Is the tradeshow air conditioned?
Sure is. It’s always sunny and 72 inside the Exhibition Hall of the Marriott Hotel & Conference Center.
Where can I park?
Free Shuttle ServicePark, hop on the bus, sit back and enjoy the ride! The free shuttle services are open to the general public. Coolers will not be permitted on the shuttles.
Coralville Transit will provide a continuous loop of free direct shuttle service between the Hawkeye Commuter and Storage Parking Lot on Hawkeye Park Road and FRY Fest at the Iowa River Landing.
- 4:00 – 5:30 PM: Buses run approximately every 15 minutes
- 5:30 – 9:30 PM Buses run approximately every 10 minutes
- 9:30 PM – one hour after concert ends: Buses run approximately every 5 minutes
Cambus will provide a continuous loop of free direct shuttle service between the Pentacrest in downtown Iowa City and FRY Fest at the Iowa River Landing.
- 4:30 PM – one hour after concert ends: Buses run approximately every 30 minutes
Bike Parking
FRY Fest organizers STRONGLY encourage all bicyclists going to FryFest to carefully use First Avenue to 7th Street to Quarry. There is also a gravel path off the Iowa River Power parking lot that leads to the venue. As cyclists well know, First Ave/Hayden Fry Way is a very heavily traveled section of road and does not include bike lanes.
On-site bike parking near the Johnson County Historical Society will be available at no charge.
Paid Event Parking at the Coralville Marriott Hotel & Conference Center
Limited paid event parking will be available at the Iowa River Landing parking ramp and south parking lot. Patrons will pre-pay upon ramp/lot entry. Coralville Marriott Hotel & Conference Center overnight guests will have ramp parking access as usual with a designated pass.
Event parking: $5.00

