Lansing RAGBRAI Committee looking for volunteers and vendors to welcome those who “Pedal to Paradise” in July
Vendor applications due June 8; Volunteer public forum June 15
RAGBRAI is coming to northeast Iowa in late July this year, and as the final tire-dip destination for the annual bike ride, Lansing will be needing a large number of volunteers for a variety of services. The volunteer experience offers the opportunity to meet people from all over the world who have traveled 453 miles across Iowa on their “Pedal to Paradise”.
Volunteers can choose to help for a morning, an afternoon or any allotted time that works for them from July 22-30. It’s ultimately up to the volunteer and their schedule.
Volunteers are needed in the following areas: communications, greeters, entertainment, beautification, set-up and/or clean-up, food and vending, hospitality, housing, information centers, law enforcement, medical, public safety, publicity, Ride Right, showers/sanitation/recycling, transportation, parking supervision, beverage garden, budget and campgrounds. Taking pictures of riders posing for their final dip, helping manage traffic on Main Street, or directing riders where to go at the information center are just some of the many possibilities to provide volunteer help during RAGBRAI’s visit.
The money raised through the RAGBRAI efforts in Lansing goes right back into its local non-profits, youth groups and community programs. Volunteers will all receive a t-shirt and are invited to Volunteer Appreciation Night scheduled for September 1.
Volunteers can sign up in person at a public forum scheduled for June 15 at Kee High School in Lansing, beginning at 6 p.m. Volunteers can also contact Volunteer Coordinator Stephanie Runkle at 563-568-8227 or by email at lansingragbraivolunteers@gmail.com. Volunteer sign-up can also be accomplished online at https://www.lansingragbrai.com.
APPLICATIONS FOR VENDORS DUE JUNE 8
Lansing RAGBRAI is also looking for local restaurants, nonprofits and businesses to help serve the 15,000 people coming through Lansing the final day of this year’s annual bike ride, Saturday, July 30. This includes non-profit groups looking to raise funds.
The vendor fee for non-profit entities will be $50, and the vendor fee for for-profit entities will be $150. Those interested in serving as a vendor in Lansing during RAGBRAI may apply online at www.lansingragbrai.com under the Vendor tab on the home page.
Applications for vendors are due by June 8. For more information, contact Vendor Coordinator Julie Papp at julspapp@gmail.com.
