Mt. Pleasant will welcome RAGBRAI this Friday

MT. PLEASANT — After much preparation, Mt. Pleasant’s RAGBRAI Committee and community are ready to host RAGBRAI participants this Friday, July 26 with much hospitality.

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With Mt. Pleasant chosen as an overnight community for the 51st RAGBRAI on Friday, the committee opted for the theme “Make Yourself at Home in Mt. Pleasant.”

According to a press release from the Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance, this theme “is designed to showcase the charm and warmth of our small, quaint town. Mt. Pleasant is more than just a place; it's a community brimming with pride and hospitality.”

“At the heart of this event theme is the invitation for riders to experience the genuine hospitality that defines Mt. Pleasant,” it continues. “From the moment they arrive, they'll be greeted with smiles and open arms, making them feel like they've been part of the community for years.”

The RAGBRAI Committee asks residents to extend the Make Yourself at Home hospitality they know Mt. Pleasant has to offer and exercise patience with cyclists, law enforcement, support staff, and other community members as putting on an event like this “takes a village.”

Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President Rachel Lindeen told the Henry County Board of Supervisors last week that the committee is ready, and they look forward to the riders coming through Friday.

She also thanked the county department heads for their help in preparing for the event. She especially thanked those in the roads, sheriff, and emergency management departments.

For more information and last minutes changes as the event unfolds, the public is encouraged to follow the Mount Pleasant RAGBRAI Facebook page.

RAGBRAI Festival will fill Central Park

A festival with food vendors, a beverage garden, games and entertainment will fill Central Park and much of the surrounding area. The beverage garden will open at noon on Friday.

Explore the festival area for a number of photo opportunities including a newly painted mobile postcard mural.

Entertainment

From noon-6 p.m. Portable Playlist DJ will fill the area with tunes. At 6 p.m. Blake Jack & South 35 will take to the stage before the main act, SPAZMATICS, pump up the party at 8 p.m.

SPAZMATICS are known for their high-energy performances of 80s hits that usually get crowds moving.

Vendors

According to the RAGBRAI Committee, there will be 14 food and non-food vendors set up along the east side of Central Park and six vendors in the Main Campground.

Mt. Pleasant restaurants and drinkeries will also be open and ready to serve.

Unique to Mt. Pleasant, a steam engine will cook and serve sweet corn in the festival area as the town celebrates RAGBRAI.

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Riders will make themselves at home in Mt. Pleasant

The Main Campground will be located at McMillian Park and the Midwest Old Threshers grounds. Over 60 acres of camping space will be available at this location.

The Midwest Old Threshers grounds will offer free dry camping and hook-up camping for $50 per 30amp spot. Restrooms and showers will be located on site.

Large and small groups will be located throughout the community at various host homes, the former Iowa Wesleyan University campus, and Mapleleaf Athletic Complex.

Shuttles

Shuttles will run between the Midwest Old Threshers grounds, the festival area, and additional showers and bathrooms throughout the festivities. Check the maps for additional information.

Road closures and cyclists

While this RAGBRAI event will offer many fun activities and interesting vendors during the overnight stay, residents should exercise caution and watch for bicyclists and road closures.

The Mt. Pleasant RAGBRAI Committee anticipates the bulk of riders to be coming through town between noon-4 p.m.

“Chief [Lyle] Murray has some barricades and we will have some officers around to help with safety on the roads,” Lindeen said.

Residents should also look for signs posted around time directing bicycle traffic and denoting closed streets or no parking Thursday and Friday.

According to the Mt. Pleasant Police Department, White and State streets southbound, White and Courtland streets southbound, Broad and Broadway streets southbound will all be closed Friday until 6 p.m.

With most activities taking place in Central Park the following streets will also be closed Friday:

Madison and Jefferson streets southbound and westbound

Washington and Main streets northbound

Monroe Street at Jackson and Main Street

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com