Raldo Schneider - Founding Organizer

The Cedar River Festival is a regional community event in the Cedar Valley that began in 1987. It was inspired by musician Larry Long’s Mississippi River Revival, an initiative where canoeists traveled down the river to raise awareness about environmental cleanup. Local folk musician and organizer Raldo Schneider helped adapt this concept to the Cedar River, combining outdoor activities with a folk music and arts festival.

The festival's history is deeply rooted in bringing together community leaders, artists, and environmental advocates from the Waterloo and Cedar Falls areas. Its core mission has always been to promote the health of the Cedar River watershed while celebrating local culture through art and live performances.