RAGBRAI - Iowa's Mardi Gras

Posted Jun 27, 2004
2,755

Onawa and Iowa Falls go Bourbon Street to welcome RAGBRAI

By JORDAN SCHRADER REGISTER STAFF WRITER June 27, 2004 On this year's RAGBRAI, don't forget your helmet, your bike shorts - or your beads. Two of the overnight towns on the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa have made Mardi Gras their theme, turning main street into Bourbon Street for a day. On the evening before Onawa sees its riders off, the "MardiBrai March" will head from the city's fairgrounds to the beverage garden. The city will pass out thousands of beads to highlight the theme. Three days later, bicyclists give way to unicyclists in downtown Iowa Falls, where the one-wheeled performers will juggle fire and knives as they ride. They will be joined by mimes, a tarot-card reader, belly dancers and other Fat Tuesday revelers. The Mardi Gras king and queen will ride the "party-mobile" as it sends jazz music ringing through the streets. Iowa Falls is going wild with its theme. "Even the churches that are serving meals, a lot of them are getting beads to give to riders," RAGBRAI co-chairwoman Marianne Jones said. "They're just really excited about it."

Onawa, July 24

There's more than Mardi Gras to celebrate in Onawa. The city has filled its summer with events in celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Lewis and Clark expedition. A shuttle is available in the afternoon to Lewis and Clark State Park for a historical presentation. The park is home to historical re-enactors, the Friends of Discovery and a replica of the keelboat Meriwether Lewis and William Clark used to navigate the Missouri River. "We will try to get RAGBRAI people out on the lake in the keelboat," if weather permits, Park Manager Russell Field said. Children can play games at Gaukel Park in the afternoon. At night, the band Monkey's Uncle will hit the stage.

Lake View, July 25

Main street events will be in full swing before riders arrive. For animal lovers, there's a petting zoo. If you prefer your creatures simulated, the city challenges you to stay upright on its mechanical bull. A rock-climbing wall, bicycle give-away and "Fear Factor"-style games round out the daytime events. The music of Salamugundi and other bands add to performances by such hometown talent as the members of Lynn's Dance Studio. A laser show will light up main street after sunset.

Fort Dodge, July 26

RAGBRAI descends on Fort Dodge at a busy time for the city. The week before, the U.S. National Dragon Boat Championships will be held at Badger Lake. A week after the ride, the city will host the state high school softball championships. Visitors in town for RAGBRAI can catch a Class 2-A high school girls softball regional final at Harlan Rogers Park, as teams vie to play in the state championship. They may even catch a few dragon boat racers still in town. The main events are on Central Avenue, where the city is sponsoring a giant Twister game and an Ironman competition among other games. All kinds of inflatable play areas highlight the festivities, too. True to the automobile theme it chose for RAGBRAI, Fort Dodge is also putting together a classic car show. Going along with the car motif, bands will perform on three stages: the '57 Chevy Stage, the T-Bird Stage and the Plymouth Fury Stage.

Iowa Falls, July 27

Though it's "Fat Tuesday in Iowa Falls," the city will spice up its New Orleans style with hometown flavor. In addition to the Mardi Gras festivities, the Iowa Falls Community Theater will perform a skit on the history of Iowa Falls. The percussion of Sheltered Reality, a group of young Christian drummers, will set a spiritual beat. Fireworks cap off the evening's entertainment.

Marshalltown, July 28

The Kentucky Headhunters, with their trademark blend of bluegrass, country, blues and rock, will take the stage at the Marshall County Courthouse. They will be joined by an assortment of other musical acts. Marshalltown hopes to depart from tradition for RAGBRAI entertainment with a performance of "Jesus Christ Superstar." The Marshalltown Community Theatre added an extra performance of the musical to attract cyclists and their entourage, RAGBRAI organizer John Cahill said. "It just gives us something different that nobody else has," said Cahill, who has three sons performing in the musical as Pontius Pilate, Herod and an apostle. "Every place you go, you're going to hear a rock band, a beer garden," he said. "We've got a little classical theater."

Hiawatha, July 29

How many pineapples can one person eat? Those who can down the most will win prizes as a taste of Hawaii comes to Hiawatha. The pineapple-eating contest is in keeping with the community's theme, "Hiawatha Says Aloha to RAGBRAI." Cyclists and visitors also will say aloha to a hypnotist, gymnasts, dancers and musicians like cover band Party Mix Specialists. They'll do the limbo, play tug of war, ride around Guthridge Park on a train and watch a hot-air balloon launch. And they can enjoy most of the entertainment, as well as sample the food selection, without leaving the park. "We have pretty much everything contained to one area where they can walk around," said Janet Hayes, entertainment chairwoman.

Maquoketa, July 30

It will be a different experience in this overnight community, where organizers hope to give visitors a sweeping view of their town. Shuttles will run from Maquoketa's "party central" to other attractions. "We're really trying to keep them out and about and kind of seeing Maquoketa as a whole," entertainment chairman Don Schwenker said. One shuttle takes visitors into the state park to check out the area's caves. Another runs to the county fairgrounds, where the 150th edition of the Jackson County Fair is in its third day. After getting their fill of games and rides, fairgoers can spend their evening watching a truck and tractor pull. Those who want to stay in the main camping and entertainment area still can find plenty to do. Maquoketa's featured musical group is the Dr. Feelgood Band of Des Moines. A DJ and a local band will join them.

Clinton, July 31

As riders come down the final stretch toward Clinton, cyclists will hear the sound of victory. Actually, it's the sound of a town full of kazoos. Clinton's RAGBRAI volunteers will hand out the instruments and encourage people to "blow your kazoo to our river view." For a more mellow kind of music, a DJ will be spinning tunes all afternoon. Riders and other visitors may want to roll the dice at the Mississippi Belle II Riverboat Casino once their trip is finished. After all, they'll be feeling lucky after surviving the 490-mile-long road from Onawa to Clinton. Source: http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040627/LIFE04/406270303/-1/THEMES