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Facility Rentals
Lodge Amenities
Banquet accommodations including tables and chairs formaximum capacity of 300
Catering Kitchen includes refrigerator, freezer and double convection oven, microwave
Patio and limited grounds surrounding Lodge (Patio furniture included)
A/V Projector, screens and Podium
Available dressing area for bridal couple
Grounds Rental
Village grounds and select village buildings open May-October to tour on your own
Benches with seating up to 150
Grounds capacity 2,000
Gazebo or Church (maximum capacity of 75) available for wedding ceremonies
Dressing areas for bridal couples if applicable
Pavilion with picnic tables to accommodate 100 under cover and additional 20 in immediate area
Modern Restrooms
Lodge/Grounds Rental Staff
Staff member for the entire rental time. (Supervision only, staff is not responsible for actual clean up or set up).
What is Ushers Ferry?
Ushers Ferry Historic Village is a facility of the Cedar Rapids Parks and Recreation Department. This beautiful 10 acre site provides a venue for fun, family friendly activities that teach, promote and build community from the historical perspective of a small Iowa town at the turn of the 20th Century. Consisting of 20 historic buildings restored to the 1890-1910 time period, the scenic village setting also features a Gazebo, pavilion, modern restrooms and parking as well as a Lodge capable of hosting receptions, meetings and parties of up to 300 people.
Ushers Ferry Lodge/Grounds Rates
PREMIUM PACKAGE
Lodge: 8:00 a.m. – Midnight + Grounds for 4 Hrs.
Check-in with staff (8:00 – 8:30 a.m.)
Includes grounds from Noon – 4:00 p.m. or 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. (for ceremony)
$2,700
STANDARD PACKAGES
Sunday – Thursday, 8:00 AM-10:00 PM ● Friday - Saturdays, 8:00 AM-12:00 AM
Lodge Rental or Grounds Rental
4 hour minimum: $650 each location
Lodge Rental or Grounds Rental
9 hours for $1,300 each location
4.5 Hours includes both Lodge and Grounds Rental
$1300
9 hours includes both Lodge and Grounds Rental
$2,600
$162.50 each additional hour, each additional site (Lodge or grounds)
$325 each additional hour for both sites (Lodge and grounds)
Additional Fees
Security Deposits
Events with alcohol being served:$500
Non-alcoholic event: $200
Police/Security Fees
If alcohol is being served, you will be required to pay for an off-duty police officer for
the final three hours of your rental/event for events lasting over four hours.
$49/hour x 3 hours$147
Firewood for Lodge Fire pit
You may only use the wood provided by Ushers Ferry Historic Village. $42
No outside firewood or foraging for wood is allowed.
Wedding Rehearsals
40 minute time period by appointment$50
Additional Buildings
A.Basic Tour Package (Weddings)
School, Usher and Snoble Houses open 1 hour for guests to tour$84
B.Saloon for Drink Service (Wedding or Grounds Rental)
Building unstaffed, drink service provided by renter – 4 hours $84
C.Saloon with Popcorn & Soda Concessions Open (Grounds Rental)
Ushers Ferry staff member included with purchase of Ushers Ferry concessions Complimentary
D.General Store Gift Shop (Grounds Rentals)
Ushers Ferry Staff member provided
2 hours$42
4 hours$84
E.Interpreter Staffed Buildings (With Grounds Rental Only – pending availability)
Select buildings open to tour May-October including Saloon, Blacksmith Shop,
General Storeand select Village homes.
4 hours / staffed building$84 / each
Payment Deadlines and Deposit Refunds
A 50% non-refundable deposit of the basic rental rate is due at the time of signing.
Only then are the grounds and/or the Lodge considered rented. The remaining balance which is
non-refundable is due 60 days after the initial deposit is received to secure the reservation.
Security deposit and any additional fees are due 30 days prior to your rental. Please be aware that Security Deposit refunds may take up to 30 days. Please see Terms and Conditions for information on possible deductions from your Security Deposit refund.
Decoration Policy
All decorations must be approved in writing and signed off by Ushers Ferry staff 30 days prior to the event.
We Allow
- Real flower petals may be tossed outside only.
- Bubbles are allowed outside only.
- Balloons, however broken fragments that are on the ground must be picked up.
- Ladders, 6 ft. or shorter, may be brought in and used on the grounds. Ladders taller than 6 ft. must be approved by Ushers Ferry staff.
- Pop-ups are allowed on the grounds, but must be weighted down properly. Any tents requiring stakes must be approved and location determined by Ushers Ferry staff prior to your event.
- Extension cords may be used with the approval of Ushers Ferry staff as long as they are not a safety tripping hazard. However, we are unable to provide extension cords.
Not Allowed
- No nails, tacks, tape (including 3M products) may be used to fix decorations to buildings, structures
or trees. - No confetti, rice, birdseed, streamers or poppers.
- No artificial flower petals are to be tossed anywhere on the grounds or in the buildings.
- Lighted candles, tiki torches, luminaries or wish lanterns are not permitted inside or out.
- No pyrotechnics (including sparklers) are allowed.
- The use of fog or smoke machines is not permitted.
Reservation Time Period Includes
Set Up
Set up is the responsibility of the renter or contracted vendor. Rental time periods include set up through clean up. For early set up of the lodge the night before an event, a minimum rental fee of $650 for 4 hrs. will apply. Early set up and delivery of equipment for grounds rentals must be approved by staff and will incur additional charges.
Clean Up
Clean up of the lodge and grounds is the responsibility of the renter and/or their contracted vendors. Staff will provide you with an instruction sheet and checklist prior to your event.
Catering and Contract Vendors
Ushers Ferry does not provide catering services. You are welcome to select the caterer of your choice. Caterers and other contract vendors will need to be listed on your event details sheet and will be required to provide proof of insurance. Music and any loud activity for outdoor events will need to conclude by no later than 9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 11:00 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
For Reservations Contact
Teresa White
319-286-5699