About

FRY fest was created in 2009 as a collaborative effort between the Iowa City/Coralville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, City of Coralville, and University of Iowa Athletics, to kick-off the football season, draw visitors’ attention to the community, and improve the quality of life for residents of the Iowa City/Coralville Area. The event is named after one of the greatest Hawkeyes of all-time and the man who is responsible for bringing the TigerHawk to the University of Iowa, Hayden Fry.

FRY fest is a one day ‘Celebration of all that is Hawkeye’ to kick-off the Hawkeye athletic seasons the Friday before the first home football game. With over 20,000 members of Hawkeye Nation in attendance, it is quickly becoming a tradition for fans to travel to Coralville, Iowa each year to take part in the festivities. The event also serves as a fundraiser for the City of Coralville with proceeds of the concert and beverage garden going towards Coralville’s Fourth of July Celebrations.

Its first three years have included the honoring of Hayden Fry, Forest Evashevski, and Dan Gable, street renaming ceremonies, “The World’s Largest Hawkeye Tradeshow,” a tailgate and show and shine car show, autograph sessions with coaches and former athletes, a Hawkeye pep rally, outdoor concerts, food vendors, a fully-staged, live production honoring Dan Gable, and the festival’s most popular accomplishment, breaking the Guinness World Record for the Largest Hokey Pokey Dance with 7,384 participants in 2010.

September 7, 2012 marks the 4th Annual FRY fest, presented by The Eastern Iowa Airport – the day before the Hawkeyes will take on their state rival, the Cyclones, in the first home game of the season.