The City has learned that Cherokee will be on the 2020 RAGBRAI route Sunday, July 19.

Also, the City has announced that applications are available for grants supporting tourism related events and projects in Cherokee, such as RAGBRAI. Riders originating in Le Mars (starting City) will be passing through Cherokee probably on Main Street off C-38 on July 19, also the last day of the Cherokee County Fair.

Inexplicably, RAGBRAI officials have yet to notify Cherokee exactly what route riders will be using through town so definite plans remain up in the air, although Cherokee Chamber of Commerce and others are desperately trying to discern the route. Normally, for traffic count and safety reasons, RAGBRAI avoids gravel roads and major highways such as U.S. 59 and Iowa Highway 3 that pass through Cherokee. Unless rules have changed, that leaves C-38 from the west as the lone hard-surfaced access to the town from Le Mars.

Area organizations are encouraged to apply for local Tourism Grants in conjunction with RAGBRAI. It is also a great way to supplement marketing dollars for summer events and applicants will know the extent to which their project has been funded in plenty of time to utilize the funding.