Top 3 Things You Need to Know NOW About RAGBRAI’s Trip Through Vinton July 26

 

1.     On Thursday, July 26th,  TEN THOUSAND (+)  bicyclists will be arriving in Vinton to rest and rejuvenate before continuing on to their overnight stay in Cedar Rapids. 

2.     The route for our guests will have them coming into Vinton from the north on 218.  They will be directed all the way down 4th Street to the Courthouse and downtown areas.  After they’ve rested and are ready to ride back out of town, they will continue east on 4th Street to 8th Avenue, and then east on 13th Street to County Home Road & on to Shellsburg.  Many of Vinton’s downtown streets and avenues will be closed to motorized traffic, PLEASE plan your day accordingly.

3.     We will be holding an informational community meeting for EVERYONE on April 29th @ 1:00 PM in the Palace Theater.  There will be a very brief video provided by the RAGBRAI organization, which gives an excellent view of what we need to expect and prepare for.  After the presentation, there will be an open forum question/answer session with the local committee.  If you and your organization or family is AT ALL interested in helping with this event or capitalizing during this event, you NEED to be at this meeting.  If you are considering vending of any sort, YOU NEED TO BE AT THIS MEETING.  If you live along or are close to the route, you should be at this meeting.  If you have any questions or concerns, YOU NEED TO BE AT THIS MEETING.  We want to make sure that everyone is as prepared as they can be, and that they have the information they need. 

Your local RAGBRAI committee is working very hard to plan for and organize a memorable trip through Vinton for the RAGBRAI riders; however it is truly going to require an entire community effort.  Each of us should consider ourselves as hosts for this event, and with that role comes hospitality and patience.  Our visitors will only be here for one afternoon, and every effort is being made to ensure that one afternoon will go as smoothly as possible. 

Your local RAGBRAI committee members are:  Nathan Hesson, (RAGBRAI liaison & vending) Andy Lent, (RAGBRAI liaison & sanitation) Jeff Peterson, (Hospitality) Dave Redlinger (Security/merchant communication), Matt Salger(Vending), Tami Stark (communications), and Duane Randall (entertainment & set up).  These committees are growing rapidly, so if you see an area that you can help with, give that person a call!  Many hands are needed!