Bike Van Buren celebrating 25th anniversary

Bike Van Buren will be celebrating its 25th anniversary Aug. 20-21 with pedaling through 11 historical villages in southeast Iowa.

The ride will begin and end at Keosauqua City Park each day. Registration will be from 7-8:30 a.m. Saturday and 7-8 a.m. Sunday in the park. Cost is $30 per rider, which includes a map and T-shirt. Preregistration is not required.

The route, covering approximately 115 miles, will have several shortcuts. Complimentary food and drink will be available throughout the ride, and designated lunch stops are planned both days. Sag wagons and a technical support vehicle provided by Bickels Cycling and Fitness of Burlington will be out in full force.

The Keosauqua Lions Club will be serving a pancake and sausage breakfast with scrambled eggs and fresh fruit to get the riders started at 7 a.m. both mornings.

Several new activities are planned for the ride?s 25th year, including a raffle sponsored by the Keosauqua Lions Club to win a new 1.2 Trek bicycle. Tickets for $5 are available at Community First Bank in Keosauqua as well as during registration Aug. 20. The drawing will be held during the Keosauqua Fire Department?s annual hog roast dinner, which will begin at 4 p.m. Aug. 20. Freewill donations will be accepted at the dinner.

Also new this year is the limited edition bicycling jersey commemorating the 25th anniversary. Jerseys can be ordered online or during registration. Special commemorative buttons have been designed and are being sold at all Van Buren County banks as well as during the event. Riders wearing a button will be eligible to win prizes throughout the weekend.

The Poker Run returns with participants drawing playing cards at designated villages in an attempt to build the best ?poker hand.? The best hand on both days will win $100. Gift certificates and prizes from Bickels Cycling and Fitness will be awarded, as well.

Whispering Pines Winery will offer wine tasting and sales. The Kids-at-Play committee will hold an ?Ice Cream Crank Off? in Keosauqua City Park. Beginning at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 20, samples of homemade ice creams will be served for freewill donations. Additionally, the white schoolhouse on Highway 16 will be open from noon to 3 p.m. Aug. 20 with snacks and drinks.

Evening entertainment Aug. 20 will include a free country music jam from 6-8 p.m. at the riverside gazebo in Bentonsport. Addie May Fudge Factory in Bonaparte will host an audience-participation dinner theater called ?Mystery at the Ol? Mill? at 6:30 p.m. Reservations are required by calling (319) 592-3139.

The Aug. 20 route will be approximately 73 miles, and the second day?s route will be 42 miles.

For information, call Villages of Van Buren Inc. at (800) 868-7822 or (319) 293-7111, or visit www.villagesofvanburen.com.