Marengo, Amana move forward with RAGBRAI plans

RAGBRAI will wheel through Benton and Iowa counties Friday, July 28, and organizers in pass-through towns are forming up plans for their part of the 50th anniversary of the ride.

Marengo

As a meeting town on the bicyclists’ trek from Tama to Coralville, Marengo expects to welcome approximately 25,000 riders, says MarenGo Executive Director Corriene Daly.

The route has been firmed up, with riders coming into town from the west on Highway 212. They will proceed east on South Street, north on Court Avenue to North Street, then east to Eastern Avenue/M Avenue, where they will turn north and continue to Amana.

Bus and support vehicle parking will be at the Iowa County Fairgrounds and Lions Park. Drivers of those vehicles will enter Marengo from the west on Highway 6. When leaving town, they will go south on M Avenue to reach the overnight stop in Coralville.

In Marengo, vendors will set up on the street on Court Avenue between Hilton Street and Main Street. This will allow businesses owners in the area to use the sidewalks in front of their shops as they wish.

Marengo and Iowa County vendors are the target as planning moves forward to provide riders with food and drink.

“Our focus is on having local, in-county vendors,” says Daly. “We want to support the local businesses.”

Vendor applications (Iowa County groups only) will be sent soon to those who have already contacted MarenGo and expressed an interest in participating. Local businesses and organizations who have not already done so may contact Daly at info@Go-Marengo.com to get vendor information. Daly adds potential vendors should be prepared to serve between 600 and 800 people.

Currently, outside vendors have been capped at nine, with no further applications being taken. Daly notes this may change as the event draws nearer, if organizers feel there are not enough local food vendors to handle the expected number of riders.

A Facebook page is expected to launch in the next few weeks. Search for MarengoRAGBRAI2023 on Facebook. The site will include basic info about the route, a list of vendors and include an interactive Google map showing water filling stations, toilets, storm shelters and sag wagon sites.

Volunteers are always needed, Daly says, although much of the volunteer effort will be focused on cleanup after riders have moved through. Look for a volunteer link on the Marengo Community Development site, Go-Marengo.com, in coming weeks.

The town has also developed a RAGBRAI logo and theme: “Together we can MarenGo further on two wheels.” This reflects MarenGo Community Development’s support of its businesses and the planning strategy aimed at providing business owners a financially positive experience with this year’s ride.

Amana

Following an initial community meeting earlier this month, Amana Colonies Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Stacey Colledge notes plans are just starting to take shape.

“We will be hosting a beer garden at the Festhalle with performances by Barefoot Becky and serving the Official Beer of RAGBRAI by Big Grove,” College said. “We are still looking for volunteers to help with set up and tear down as the community hosts on July 28. If anyone is interested in helping out, they can call the Amana Colonies Visitors Center at (319) 622-7622.”

Potential volunteers can also check out the ACCVB’s page on Signupgenius.com (search for Amana Colonies CVB RAGBRAI Volunteer Sign Up). Opportunities remain for the setup and teardown committee, signage committee, community hosts, general volunteers and trash bin donation.

Belle Plaine

The Belle Plaine Community Development Corporation is spearheading planning for the day’s activities, along with a yet unnamed community organization. More information will be included in future issues.