Iowa City unveils RAGBRAI theme as 'Book it to Iowa City'

Source: <a id="MainContent_MainColumnContentPlaceHolder_hlSource" href="http://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/community/iowa-city-unveils-ragbrai-theme-as-book-it-to-iowa-city-20180417" target="_blank">The Gazette: Eastern Iowa Breaking News and Headlines
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Maddy Arnold
Wed April 18 2018
Posted Apr 18, 2018
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Events to be similar to Downtown Block party, concert planned for Clinton Street

Riders on the final night of this year’s cross-Iowa bicycle ride will experience a downtown party despite construction on the Pedestrian Mall.

Thousands of cyclists are expected to stay overnight July 27 in Iowa City, for the first time since 1976, during the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa. On Tuesday, local organizers unveiled the theme of the visit — “Book it to Iowa City” — and some entertainment details being planned.

The visitors can expect blocked-off streets downtown, open alcohol containers for adults and a feel similar to last year’s first-ever Downtown Block Party, which drove about 30,000 people to the Ped Mall, said Nancy Bird, executive director of the Iowa City Downtown District.

The main stage for a concert will be on Clinton Street facing south, next to the Pentacrest.

“It’ll be great for community and riders to come downtown, stroll with drinks, eat local food and enjoy the entertainment,” Bird said. “It’ll be an authentic Iowa City event that we hope encourages our visitors to come back again and again.”

Specifics like camping site locations, routes through the city and bands are yet to be announced. But the riders will come in and out of town on Sand Road, said Geoff Fruin, Iowa City manager.