First waive of RAGBRAI visitors expected this weekend

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BY PCC STAFF

KEOKUK – The Keokuk RAGBRAI organizing committees are ready to welcome the first wave of RAGBRAI visitors this weekend. RAGBRAI participants from all over the country will make their way to Keokuk on Friday to meet up with charter companies and fellow riders before heading to Council Bluffs Saturday, where this year’s ride is set to begin on Sunday.

Well over a thousand parking passes have been purchased by riders who will leave their cars in secured long-term parking locations, designated all over Keokuk. In addition to selling out area hotels, several hundred riders will camp near the Keokuk RAGBRAI Headquarters located near Hoerner YMCA and Keokuk High School. Residents can expect temporary road closures in that area on Saturday morning, as charter buses load, and should avoid the area if possible.

The main Keokuk RAGBRAI festivities will take place next weekend, Saturday July 27th, as the 47th annual ride ends in Keokuk with The Biggest Dam Dip on the Mississip. Cyclists will enter Keokuk from Mississippi River Road and continue onto Grand Avenue before turning south on 4th Street. They will ride to Blondeau Street where they will turn west before making a series of turns—south onto 2nd, west onto Lucas Ave, south onto 1st, and west onto Main Street (underneath the Keokuk/Hamilton bridge). Riders will enter Victory Park through a misting water feature that will mimic the Keokuk dam’s famous spillways. They will continue on to the riverfront, passed the George M. Verity Riverboat Museum where local band, Glitter Salad, will stage their upbeat performance from 10:00am-2:00pm and Radio Keokuk will conduct its live remote broadcast throughout the day. Just beyond the band, riders will find the dip site just south of Howard’s Boat Dock.

The Meierotto Shelter House will be the site of Main Street Keokuk, Inc.’s beverage garden, which is set to offer a variety of beverages including beers, seltzers, and a local craft beer option from V’s Brewpub. The garden will also feature the office RAGBRAI beer, Tailwind. Vendors will be set up in the parking lot between the shelter house and riverfront and will feature a wide variety of food options including barbecue, gyros, vegetarian dishes, and concession style favorites. 

Happening just down the road from the dip site, Southside Boat Club will host the 3rd Annual Musicians Memorial Benefit which will feature seven bands, food, auctions, games, and a whole lot more. Road closures will limit access to the Keokuk riverfront. Those interested in visiting the Southside Boat Club will be required to use Bank Street and access will be limited to passenger vehicles only. RVs, buses, and the like will not be permitted. More information on the Musicians Memorial Benefit can be found at https://www.facebook.com/events/1510808642355486/.

The Keokuk RAGBRAI organizing committees are still seeking volunteers for next Saturday the 27th. Help is needed directing foot, vehicular, and bicycle traffic throughout town, manning parking lots and information centers, taking photos at the dip site, and cheering on thousands of riders from all over the world! The three primary volunteer locations will be at Rand Park, Victory Park, and the Headquarters (located near Hoerner YMCA and Keokuk High School). Anyone interested in volunteering can fill out the online form at keokukragbrai.com/volunteer or call the Chamber of Commerce at 524-5055 or United Way at 524-4504.

bicycles, cyclists, iowa, Keokuk, Mississippi River, Pen City Current, RAGBRAI

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