(Essex) -- Like other communities along the RAGBRAI 44 route, Essex is gearing up for the onslaught of bicyclists.

Thousands of cyclists will pour out of Shenandoah along Highway 48 to Essex on their way to the next overnight stop in Creston Monday. Melissa Chambers is co-chair of Essex's RAGBRAI Committee. Chambers tells KMA News volunteers are needed to set up items along Iowa Avenue--the city's Main Street--Sunday evening at 6:30.

"We will be setting up our signs, decorations and things like that at time," said Chambers. "So, lots of flags will be going up that evening. We welcome volunteers to help with that. Bring a mallet if you have one. We're going to get Essex decked out for all the riders to come through on Monday."

Chambers says baked goods, fruit and other items for the community food booth will also be accepted at that time.

"We are doing a community food stand for area nonprofits to work at in order to raise funds," she said. "So, that's been kind of the biggest thing to get nailed down, without really knowing what number to plan on."

While the street closures in Essex won't be as extensive as those in Shenandoah, at least one major artery in the community will be impacted. Chambers says Iowa Avenue will be closed from Highway 48 to Central Street, then Central Street north to Highway 48, Monday from 5-to-11 a.m.

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