RAGBRAI | | globegazette.com

“We are planning a celebration of century proportions. We understand that 100 miles is a big deal. Love it or hate it, a lot of people are going to give it a shot,” said Visit Mason City Executive Director and RAGBRAI advisory member Lindsey James.

The 2022 RAGBRAI route is more than 450 miles long, starting July 24 in Sergeant Bluff on the Missouri River and ending in Lansing on July 30 in Mississippi. According to RAGBRAI, the event is the oldest, longest running and largest recreational cycling event in the world.

The fourth day of the ride — Wednesday, July 27, Emmetsburg to Mason City — is the longest stretch at 105 miles. It’s been called the “Day of the Century”, a tradition of having a 100-mile day that returns to RAGBRAI this year.

“We’ve thrown a big party for (the riders) to help them celebrate that achievement. For those who may decide they aren’t completing the full 100 miles, that’s okay too. They’re going to have a great time celebrating,” James said.

In the spirit of the 100-mile ride, Mason City’s theme and logo is titled “Ride of the Century.” The logo also mimics Frank Lloyd Wright’s signature Prairie House style.

The last time Mason City hosted RAGBRAI was in 2014. In a January interview with the Globe Gazette, Mayor Bill Schickel said the 2014 stop was a $3 million windfall for the city. He expects that number to be higher this year.

Since the announcement that River City would be an overnight stop in January, RAGBRAI Mason City and many other local groups have been all hands on deck to ensure a safe and smooth event.

Information about RAGBRAI in Mason City can be found at ragbraimasoncity.com or the RAGBRAI Mason City Facebook page and I tweet. Information can also be found at ragbrai.com.

Riders will stay at their assigned campsites along the main bike route. There are several campgrounds throughout Mason City. RAGBRAI campsite locations include the following:

• North Iowa Events Center.
• Parker’s Woods.
• East Park.
• Mason City High School.
• Jefferson Elementary School.
• Riverfront in the area of ​​North Carolina Avenue between Northeast Fourth Street and Northeast 12th Street.

The North Iowa Events Center, which has water and electric hookups, will accommodate most RVers. A shuttle bus to downtown activities will be provided for riders.

East Park will be the main camp, with the main information center and medical tent. Des Moines Register camping and baggage trucks will also be located there.

Outstanding locations at East Park, Parker’s Woods Park and MCHS will all have buses to downtown. Quiet, family-friendly designated campsite is at MCHS.

Residents are reminded to be prepared for heavy traffic in these areas.

Residents who live near the 2008 flood buyout near the Riverside Campground may have campers on sites adjacent to their properties, according to a news release. City crews will set up police barriers to keep campers off private property.

Those with questions about the campsites can email camping co-chairman Steven Van Steenhuyse at [email protected].

With so many booths, vendors, and entertainment acts, you’ll want to plan where you’re going.

“You name it, we’ve got it,” James said.

More than 50 food vendors and booths will be scattered throughout downtown for residents and riders to check out. Vendors open at 10 a.m. and will be open until 11 p.m.

James says there will be cuisine to suit every taste, from Caribbean to vegetarian delights. Find a complete list of vendors and booths on the RAGBRAI Mason City website under the vendor preview tab. Head downtown with the family and an empty stomach and try a little bit of everything.

“We’ll be doing food and drink specials, and they’re around the perimeter of the festival,” James said. “You can go buy a drink at The Quarry and take it to the festival grounds.”

A wide selection of free entertainment will appeal to all ages. Jesse Calvert will be kicking off the live music at 2pm in the pub garden next to City Hall. Guest bartender Sloan Gasior will be serving drinks throughout the day.

On the Muse Norris side stage, 13 on Seven will play at 3pm, and Danny Grause will be in the Main Pavilion at 3pm Brad Morgan will follow Grause at 4.30pm.

Mason City will have two headliners taking the main stage, located in the North Central Park parking lot. Don Felder will start playing at 6:30 p.m., and Sugar Ray starts at 8:30 p.m

Felder, the former lead guitarist of the legendary rock band the Eagles, has been working as a solo artist since 2001. Felder is a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and a four-time Grammy winner.

Sugar Ray has been rocking for three decades, known for hits like “Fly” and “Every Morning.” The band was formed in 1988 by vocalist Mark McGrath and lead guitarist Rodney Sheppard, according to its official website.

Local comedian Day Peace will be emceeing the fun downtown from 6pm to 11pm, introducing both headliners.

Downtown car parks and street parking will be closed prior to the evening to accommodate the entertainment, drink garden and other activities.

Car park closures start at 5pm on Sunday, with most areas in the city center closed until 5pm on Tuesday. Street parking in the town center will be closed from 11pm on Tuesday. Lots and street parking lots downtown will remain closed until Wednesday and are expected to reopen Thursday.

Vehicles located in parking lots after the designated closing time will be subject to towing.

James said there will still be plenty of parking available, but you may have to walk a bit to get to the party. The main lot at Southbridge Mall and the lot directly west will be open. All parking will be first come, first served.

RAGBRAI Mason City will also have a shuttle service from the downtown Shopko parking lot.

“That shuttle will drop people off at the main transfer point downtown, which is that parking lot by Bare Sugar Spa, behind Brick Furniture,” James said.

According to an update from RAGBRAI Ride Director Matt Phippen, the route to Mason City will open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Mason City Police Chief Jeff Brinkley said he expects riders to seen arriving in the early afternoon.

The following closures will come into effect at 1:00 PM and will last until 7:00 PM:

• 19th Street Southwest – westbound traffic only from Pierce Avenue west to the city limits.
• Pierce Avenue – southbound traffic only from First Street Northwest to 19th Street Southwest.
• First Street Northwest – closed to vehicular traffic from Pierce Avenue downtown.
• East State Street – closed to vehicular traffic from downtown to Kentucky Avenue.

No parking will be allowed along Pierce Street, First Street Northwest or East State Street during this time, according to a news release. Support vehicles will be pulled into town starting in the morning and will be checked in at the North Iowa Events Center. Support vehicles will then travel along 12th Street to reach their camp or other destination.

James said RAGBRAI Mason City still needs volunteers to man the road closure barricades. All you have to do is sit back and watch the riders go by. James encourages members of the community to ride along the route – in the city and out – to become cyclists.

“I invite anyone to come out and help us and welcome them if they have free time and sit on a barricade,” James said. “Just come out and welcome them to our community.”

Riders are expected to leave Mason City as early as 5 a.m. Thursday and support vehicles around 7 a.m. Road closures on Thursday, when riders head to Charles City, will run from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Below are the roads that will be closed:

• East State Street—closed from East Park to Kentucky Avenue.
• Kentucky Avenue—closed from State Street to the southern city limits.

There will be no parking along East State Street from East Park to Kentucky Avenue or along Kentucky Avenue from State Street to the south city limits. Support vehicles will leave Mason City on 12th Street east to California Avenue on their way to Charles City.

Residents in Marble Court, Slate Court and Sandstone Court Southeast will have difficulty leaving, and it is suggested that you leave a vehicle in the church parking lot, according to the RAGBRAI Mason City website.

An interactive map is available to RAGBRAI residents, businesses and guests to help provide directions for traffic, campsite locations and road closures downtown. Residents are encouraged to click here, read the information, and then enter their address to see how RAGBRAI’s visit to Mason City might impact them:

“Enjoy the fun and be part of the fun. Volunteer with a flag. Thank you for your support,” said James.