A few of the companies we’ve worked with
Live Music at the Klopfenstein Amphitheater
One of the crown jewels of the Marion parks system is the Klopfenstein Amphitheater for the Performing Arts, located within the expansive Lowe Park (4500 N 10th St, Marion, IA 52302). This beautiful open-air venue is the heartbeat of the community during the warmer months, hosting the beloved "Music Under the Moon" concert series and various community festivals. The venue features a stunning sculpted metal canopy and offers a relaxed, lawn-seating environment perfect for families and large groups. However, during popular acts or the annual Swamp Fox Festival, parking at Lowe Park can become a significant challenge, with lots filling up rapidly and attendees forced to walk long distances from overflow areas.
When you book a charter bus rental with Charter Bus Rental Company Marion, you bypass the parking headache entirely. We can drop your group off right at the entrance near the Arts & Environment Center, allowing you to stake out the perfect spot on the lawn immediately. Our buses offer plenty of undercarriage storage for your lawn chairs, blankets, and picnic coolers, so you don’t have to lug heavy gear across the park. After the encore, simply walk back to the designated loading zone where your climate-controlled bus will be waiting to whisk you away, avoiding the post-concert traffic jam on North 10th Street.
The Marion Arts Festival: A Cultural Staple
Consistently ranked as one of the top art festivals in the nation, the Marion Arts Festival takes over City Square Park (7th Ave & 10th St, Marion, IA 52302) every May. This event transforms Uptown Marion into a bustling hub of creativity, featuring 50 selected artists from across the country, live music, and empty-bowl fundraisers. With thousands of attendees flooding the downtown area, street parking becomes virtually nonexistent, and road closures around 7th Avenue can make navigation difficult for those unfamiliar with the area. It is the perfect occasion to organize a group shuttle for art appreciation societies, senior living communities, or school art clubs.
By renting a minibus or charter bus, your group can enjoy door-to-door service to the festival gates. We can arrange a drop-off point that avoids the road closures, perhaps near the Marion Public Library, ensuring safe and easy access for passengers of all mobility levels. Plus, if your group members decide to purchase large pieces of art, pottery, or sculptures, our buses offer ample storage space to transport these treasures home safely. Instead of worrying about meters or walking blocks in the heat, your group can focus on the art, the food vendors, and the community atmosphere, knowing their ride home is secured.
Rock Out at the McGrath Amphitheatre
While located just across the border in downtown Cedar Rapids, the McGrath Amphitheatre (475 1st St SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404) is a primary destination for Marion residents seeking major touring acts. Set against the backdrop of the Cedar River, this venue hosts everything from classic rock legends and country stars to blues festivals. The open-air setting is fantastic, but the downtown location means navigating one-way streets and finding parking in nearby ramps can be stressful, especially when traveling with a large convoy of friends or a corporate team.
Charter Bus Rental Company Marion frequently runs shuttles and party buses from Marion to the McGrath Amphitheatre. A private bus rental turns the short commute into a pre-concert party. With amenities like Bluetooth sound systems and onboard lighting (available on select party buses), you can get in the mood for the show before you even arrive. Your driver will handle the downtown traffic and drop you off curbside. This is an excellent option for corporate outings or bachelor/bachelorette parties where you want to ensure everyone stays together and gets home safely after enjoying adult beverages at the venue.
Experience the Paramount Theatre
For a more formal evening of entertainment, many Marion groups head to the historic Paramount Theatre (123 3rd Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401). Just a 15-minute drive from Uptown Marion, this beautifully restored venue is home to Orchestra Iowa and hosts Broadway touring productions, comedy specials, and holiday concerts. The grandeur of the Hall of Mirrors and the theater itself calls for transportation that is equally elegant. Whether you are organizing a trip for a theater appreciation group, a school music department, or a company holiday party, a charter bus adds a touch of class and convenience to the evening.
Navigating winter roads in Iowa to get to a holiday show can be daunting, but the drivers can handle all weather conditions comfortably. A warm, heated charter bus is the perfect respite from the cold Iowa winter. We can coordinate a pickup from a dinner location in Marion—perhaps at a local favorite like Goldfinch Tap + Eatery—and transport your group directly to the front doors of the Paramount. After the curtain call, there is no shivering on the sidewalk waiting for rideshares; your bus will be ready and waiting to return you to Marion comfortably.
Swamp Fox Festival & Fall Celebrations
Celebrating Marion's heritage and namesake, Francis Marion (the "Swamp Fox"), this annual fall festival is a city-wide celebration involving parades, golf tournaments, and live music at various locations, including Lowe Park and City Square Park. Coordinating transportation for a large family reunion or a marching band participating in the parade requires logistical precision. The Swamp Fox Festival draws residents from all over Linn County, making the streets of Marion particularly busy.
Charter Bus Rental Company Marion is the ideal partner for navigating these city-wide festivities. If you are managing a float or a performing group for the parade, our buses can serve as a mobile base of operations, providing a place to change, cool off, and store instruments or costumes. For spectators, a private shuttle can move your group between the different event locations—from the parade route in the morning to the fireworks and live music at Lowe Park in the evening. We allow you to create a custom schedule that maximizes your time enjoying the festivities rather than searching for parking spots at multiple venues throughout the day.
Indoor Entertainment at the Alliant Energy PowerHouse
When the biggest names in music, monster trucks, or rodeo come to the Corridor, they play at the Alliant Energy PowerHouse (370 1st Ave NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401). Located connected to the DoubleTree by Hilton, this massive arena draws crowds of thousands. For groups coming from Marion, the logistics of meeting up at the venue can be a nightmare due to the sheer volume of people and the complexity of the downtown parking ramps. Whether you are taking a youth group to a Disney on Ice show or a group of coworkers to a basketball tournament, a charter bus streamlines the entire process.
Our 56-passenger motorcoaches are perfect for these large-scale events. We can load your entire group at a central location in Marion—such as a school or church parking lot—and drive everyone directly to the arena entrance. This ensures that no one is late because they got stuck in the parking ramp queue. Inside the bus, amenities like onboard restrooms and reclining seats make the trip comfortable for passengers of all ages. After the event, your driver will be waiting at a pre-arranged location, allowing for a quick and organized exit from the busy downtown area.
Uptown Marion Market and Moonlit Movies
During the summer months, City Square Park in Uptown Marion becomes the center of community life with the Uptown Marion Market and the Moonlit Movies series. These events offer a fantastic, low-key way for community groups, senior centers, or summer camps to enjoy local culture. The market features fresh produce, baked goods, and artisan crafts, while the movie series offers family-friendly entertainment under the stars. However, accessibility can be a concern for senior groups or those with mobility issues given the popularity of these events.
Charter Bus Rental Company Marion provides accessible transportation solutions that ensure everyone can enjoy Uptown Marion. Our fleet includes ADA-compliant buses with wheelchair lifts and ample handrails, making boarding and disembarking safe and easy. We can drop your group off right at the corner of 7th Avenue, minimizing the walking distance to the park. Your driver can stay nearby, ready to pick up the group if the weather turns or if some members wish to leave early. It is the ultimate way to support local vendors and enjoy community events without the stress of logistics.
Book Your Marion Event Transportation Today
Charter Bus Rental Company Marion has representatives available 24/7/365 to assist you with finding the best charter bus to meet your needs for any concert, festival, or event in the Marion area. If you’d like a free personalized quote for your next group trip to Lowe Park, the Paramount, or anywhere in the Corridor, we’re ready to help and we’d love to earn your business! You can contact us by calling 319-304-4690. You can also use our online quote tool for instant online charter bus pricing under 30 seconds. With just a few pieces of information, you can see images and prices of available vehicles in your area.
Our warm and welcoming reservation agents are here to answer your request, help you with any questions, offer you the best available deals/pricing and help you get exactly what you need. There’s no pressure to book at the time of your call; our job is to guide you throughout the process so you find what you need at a price that fits your budget. Whether you need a sprinter van for a VIP night out or a fleet of coaches for a festival, we are Marion's trusted transportation partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Marion Concert Transportation
How far in advance should I book a bus for the Marion Arts Festival?
Because the Marion Arts Festival is one of the busiest weekends of the year in the area, we highly recommend booking your charter bus rental at least 3 to 6 months in advance. May is a peak season for graduation parties and weddings in addition to the festival, so availability can become limited quickly. Booking early ensures you get the exact vehicle size you need and locks in the best possible rate for your group.
Do you service venues outside of Marion, like in Cedar Rapids or Iowa City?
Absolutely! Charter Bus Rental Company Marion serves the entire region. We regularly transport groups from Marion to venues in Cedar Rapids (like the Alliant Energy PowerHouse), Iowa City (like Hancher Auditorium or Kinnick Stadium), and even further afield to Des Moines or the Quad Cities. Whether your trip starts or ends in Marion, we can handle the logistics for any destination in the Midwest.
What amenities are best for a concert trip?
For a concert trip, we recommend booking a bus with a high-quality sound system and AUX/Bluetooth capabilities so you can play music by the artist you are going to see! LED lighting (available in party buses) helps set the mood. For longer trips or all-day festivals, amenities like onboard restrooms, reclining seats, and WiFi are essential for keeping everyone comfortable and connected. When you book, just tell us what vibe you are going for, and we will match you with the perfect vehicle.
How does parking work at venues like Lowe Park with a charter bus?
One of the biggest benefits of renting a charter bus is that you don't have to worry about parking! Your driver will drop your group off at a designated loading zone near the Klopfenstein Amphitheater entrance. Once everyone is off, the driver will take the bus to a designated oversized vehicle parking area or return to our facility if the event is long, returning to pick you up right at the entrance when the concert is over. You never have to walk from the back of the lot!
Bus types Available in Marion
More About Group Travel in Marion
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