MASON CITY – In the Southbridge Mall food court, officials presented the Mason City RAGBRAI route, logo and the headlining entertainment for the event as it passes through town on July 23.
A few dozen folks were on hand for the announcement; some enjoyed free cookies from Hy-Vee.
Riders will be coming in to town on 12th Street, turning south on Pierce Avenue, then East on 1st Street NW to Washington, south to State Street then east to East Park where the majority will be camping for the evening.
The logo for the Mason City stop was revealed; it was designed by artist Jim Zach of Mason City. “Best hump day ever” is the slogan.
The headlining entertainment will be former Poison front man Bret Michaels along with 80s hair band Warrant.
Mason City was chosen as one of the eight Iowa communities to serve as a “host” community for the Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) 2014.
This will the the 42nd year for the annual seven-day bicylce ride across the state. It is the oldest, largest and longest bicycle touring event of it’s kind and draws around 10,000 cyclists from all 50 states and around the world to participate.
The last time Mason City served as an overnight host for RAGBRAI was July 1985.
Riders will roll into town on July 23rd, just 36 miles from their previous night’s stay in neighboring Forest City. According to Visit Mason City, riders will be welcomed by a big party in the heart of Downtown Mason City, as well as many unique sightseeing opportunities and attractions throughout the community.
Ragbrai has grown to the point that they need to do as large concerts in the past have done. Rent farm fields, mow, spray for mosquitoes, have adequate vendors on the grounds, provide all the facilities for hygiene and have entertainment that travels with them. Nearby bars and restaurants can become vendors on their grounds. That would help reduce the congestion on these smaller towns. Those that over imbibe can pass out in a cow pie, not hurt anyone but themselves and not end up in jail.
There are 13 new people in jail this morning for public intoxication. What does that tell you about their goals. Now that being said, I did enjoy watching them ride through town, but it sure cost a lot of money to watch it.
13 out of 20,000 out of towners. Percentage wise crime went DOWN on when we had them come through.
Dan, what else do our city employees & law enforcement do?? As far as the cops, its a BIG pay day for them, and for what, there must have been 50 of them, and none of them were doing anything. People dont need that many cops to protect us from ourselves. They could be home in bed and not sucking the taxpayer dollar everytime there is a event
The media likes to tout how much money Ragbrai brings to towns. It only benefits those selling refreshments, food, lodging and fuel. It is a disaster to all other goods and services. They grid locked much Clear Lake for a day and shut down many businesses or reduced their sales to nothing. Ragbrai is a great bunch of people. There are just too many of them in one place at one time. Using taxpayer money for cleanup, additional law enforcement and traffic control is also controversial.
Good points. How feasible is it that people who are riding bicycles in an ergonomic, streamlined fashion are going to stop at a boutique shop in Clear Lake and purchase some dresses or antiques? They pitch their tent, check into a motel, eat at a restaurant, drink in bars, or buy food or bicycle parts from vendors. I was amazed at how serene and sedate the whole affair was. I expected some tailgating or Grateful Dead Carnival like atmosphere and it was really sleepy and low keyed.
Dear Mason City:
Don’t worry, RAGBRAI will be great For everyone. The logo’s cool looking but if you don’t like it will start to disappear shortly after the last bike leaves town. I’ve ridden in multiple RAGBRAIs and it’s always fun because of the great Iowa hospitality (not to mention the pork and pie). Don’t worry about the run down buildings and park that may flood, we’ll all get through it and have fun doing it. Get in the spirit of RAGBRAI and just have fun!
Thanks.
I like the T-shirt. Where can I get one and how much? It would have been nice to use our “River City” theme somehow. It looks to me like some people are putting forth a great effort and doing a good job on planning. Good Luck and Thanks!
Yes I’m sure Eric and Robin and the other gold diggers are working overtime to place the beer tents in the perfect spots.
I appreciate everyone’s opinion but I don’t think we need to be negative about everything, especially this event and the efforts being put forth.
Exactly, it’s too bad MC has so many people that just want to sit around and complain. If you aren’t willing to help with all the work it takes to get things done then you don’t get a say.
I agree that this site is where people can vent and say what is on their minds and that is a good thing.
But, it also tends to slam anyone who is trying to provide Mason City with events or ideas — anything that just might be fun..
RAGBRAI will be good for the economy. And as far as the talent or lack there of — what do you expect for a free concert?? IT is one night and it’s over and done. If you don’t like the music, then just come out and visit with people, welcome the visitors…
@Blisterpak-I agree with you on this. At least they are trying to do something and it will certainly bring in some revenue. I hope it all works out. If they can keep the imports and town drunks under control perhaps people can have some fun and make some money at the same time. It will not please everyone and most people will see something they would like to have done different.
Have you seen the new store downtown, Weasels Den Too? Right next to the tatoo parlor, right across from the Quarry. You have to be 18 to enter!! That’s all the RAGBRAI riders are going to remember about Mason City.
I am excited for RAGBRAI to come to Mason City. But, I think Mason City is not set up properly to accommodate the volume of people, buses, trailers, campers, vendors and bikes. The town will almost be split in 1/2 and East Park seems always one big rain fall away from evacuation and is not that big to be turned into a campground and downtown is not that big for thousands of people at one time.
Ok so it’s a little catchie from the commercial but Matt is right…SOMETHING representing Mason City NEEDED to be incorporated to the poster, shirts whatever this is going on.
Leads me to say ya’ll better make the rest good and memorable. Like clean up and trim the streets of MC. Plenty of food. Open late open early.
Brett is fine enough to older people. What about the young group? Like who’s Brett Michaels?
Z Garden WILL BE the most unique and interesting place to see in town…
I’m happy ragbriai is coming through mason city. It’s good for our local economy. With that said, I’m pretty okay with not being there this year. Who was in charge of the entertainment? These bands are nice and bland. It accommodates to a very small percentage of people. Might as well stuck with boogie, because this isn’t going to be much better. Typical move. I’m glad I left. Good luck everyone. Enjoy a couple washed up 80s hairbands while your bike is getting stolen. Props
Elizabeth, thanks for your truthful comments. I’m not too far behind you. Just getting things tidied up for my move out of here. It’s too depressing and 30 years behind everything to stay here and live, especially when the local yokels do nothing but badger and harass progressive people with good ideas. They fight for their right to be stupid, and uninformed. Any region that would SUPPORT some loud jerk’s obnoxious exhaust system breaching into your living room is beyond redemption.
We’ve heard this before dummy! Although last time you planned to move apparently your silly little Geo Metro broke down on the Interstate. Or have you forgotten that lie?
I have told you before big brother, you are not a progressive person and you do not have good ideas. As far as moving, we all know that is a big fat lie.
Progressive?????????? How about delusional?
We can call this: Philosophus Exit Plan 21.0
It won’t happen, it never does and it never will. Just more sad-sack talk from Headuphisassophus.
I think RAGBRAI is a neat thing. I’ve seen lots of communities benefit from the riders. This will be like anything else, you get out of it what you put into it. Keep blowing negative thoughts about this and you will get your wish.
I hope there are loud mufflers on those 10 speed bikes.
@Buzz-He can’t leave. His junk car is broken and his momma won’t buy him another one. He can’t even get to his mud hut which is a good thing because it is under water now.
@ everyone: I challenge you all to have a better attitude! There doesn’t need to be so much negativity around. Maybe if you were on the committee you could have made a suggestion, and if not, then you don’t put down the ideas they have formed. This should all be a good thing for MC and if you don’t care for something, then you should just stay home! This will be a fun time and hopefully everyone extends a Welcome Hand to our visitors. We all need to improve and move forward in MC.
You are on the wrong website if you want to hear anything positive.
Perhaps that is because NIT allows people freedom of speech, and does not delete any negative comments that are truthful like other local news websites do (they even shut off comments altogether). NIT deals with the reality of the situation and does not try to hide from the facts of life here in North Iowa. You are in the RIGHT PLACE if you want a dose of what North Iowa is really like.
You know that’s not true Matt and you know it. I know plenty of people whose IP you’ve banned.
Don’t get so emotional when you comment; then you might make more sense. Anyway, IP addresses get banned automatically by software. The commenters you describe are always free to plead their case for re-instatement here in our community. For a small fee, I might just let them back in.
“For a small fee, I might just let them back in.”-MM
So, let me get this straight, are you saying that you can be bought?
I challenge and reject this imagery showing corn as the quintessential representation of Iowa landscape. Corn and soybeans are blights on our environment. Large corporate farmers have held the land hostage for far too long. I reject this stupid camel logo which resembles a pack of cigs. It’s a blatant ripoff of Joe Camel, and seeks to trigger social cursors based on the nefarious but successful Camel Cigarette advertising campaign. Cheap.
WE challenge and reject YOUR opinions. Please feel free to stay home during RAGBRAI as if you are that bent out of shape about the logo, you will certainly have no fun. We would also like to ask you not to use ANY products with corn or soybeans in them as they are such a blight to your existence.
I don’t like the logo at all. If you remove the words “Mason City” from the bottom of the logo, what is left signifies nothing about Mason City. It could apply to Rudd or Fort Dodge or Council Bluffs or any generic Iowa town. No creativity in this logo. I know the guy who designed the logo is a talented individual, however, so my guess is he was hand-cuffed by the people arraigning this event. Too bad, another dropped ball.
This region is known for being bland. Spicy or entertaining doesn’t fly in North Iowa. Viva La Boring!
@Matt_-I agree the logo leaves a lot to be desired. But knowing who had a hand in how it was designed I guess it is not to bad. At least they are trying to do something for a change. With any luck the mayor will stay home and not be a embarrassment to the city by getting falling down drunk in front of the visitors.
Oh shoot, back to the drawing board, Peter doesn’t approve.
Oh, brother! What next? Don’t bite the hand that feeds you, Phil.
Most of the time the people who are riding are law abiding people who cause no problems. It is the local thugs and imports that come out of the wordwork to try to get something for nothing just like Philosopus does that cause all of the issues.
I am glad they are coming here and hope the entertainment lives up to it’s billing. Hopefully the riders will all get there safely as they are traveling through a bad section of town to get there. If the police can keep control of the riff raff and let the people have a good time they will be doing a good job. As to the comments about the police allowing people to break the law that is BULL. They can have a good time and still obey the laws.
What allegedly bad part of town are they traveling through, pray tell?
Going up first street to Washington. What do you think of that pray tell?
There’s no block where structures on both sides of the street are in bad condition. Between Monroe and Adams, it’s a bit rough but the transition center property is in good shape as is the north side of the street from Brian Randall’s building to the east. Seriously, that 2 block stretch is the only rough looking area and I’d never classify it as dangerous. What route would you have brought them in on?
@Anonymous-You seem to need your eyes checked as well as your attitude. Try going down there after dark and see how you like it. A good share of the drug trade and police calls are from this area. Driving through during daylight shows you nothing. The criminals and druggers come out at night.
I do go through there at night, frequently. Like I said, 1 1/2 blocks of marginal properties. Saying a good share of the drug sales and police calls come from this little stretch of Mason City is probably inaccurate, but since “a good share” is about as vague as you can be, who knows. As for my attitude, I checked it and it’s positive for both Mason City and the event. Just because someone disagrees with you or challenges what you say doesn’t mean they have a bad attitude.
I’m pretty sure that is Joe camel smoke em if ya got em mason city.
Brett Michaels is the best North Iowa can get!
Okay people quit your bitching and lets wait and see what happens. Free entertainment is great. Even if you don’t ride I bet you go uptown or even walk through east park you will be surprised by how nice these bikers are. Have fun and enjoy the sights
The Mason City po Po will decide if there will be fun. All other hosting towns understand that people need and deserve to have some fun.
If you arrest people for drinking in public, riding their bikes the wrong way, noise, etc, than this will and should be the last time Mason City will see Ragbrai. Way too many Barny Fifes on our PD, thinking they are saving the world everytime they write a ticket.
We will see!
well for for what it’s worth I think this looks like a great lineup and the logo is cool. What a great fun day this should be for the region!!
I think the use of a camel in advertising has more than ran it’s course. And how does a camel in anyway fit in with anything in Iowa.
Wednesday = Hump Day… Hence the “Camel”.
Sorry but the logo doesn’t work for me. Not the designer’s fault. I’m sure he was given some of the dumbest ideas and restrictions he’s ever been saddled with.
Soooo Im lookin at this logo…… and it doesn’t say or show anything about mason’s heritage or what its known for. Music man? Cement plants? 457 engine? Something…anything? They say this group’s not up to the ragbrai challenge, and i think they are right.
Actually I’m a bit impressed with the bill. Can’t imagine anyone like the Stones playing, I mean what are you guys thinking? I’m surprised anyone famous would play this event. Would you like Billy Ray Cyrus instead? I could talk to him but no chance of Miley, she’s on tour.
Not the entertainment I was hoping for. jean Marinos must be avid fan of brett michaels, she was informing people at the event the ticket prices for a michaels concert and that we get it for free. Can anybody name more than 2 warrant songs.
That’s good because Bret Michaels was in the band Poison not Warrant
Sorry, my bad, I did not see that Warrant is on the bill also and your right, can’t name more that two of their songs!
Oh my God! That’s the best they could do?
Terrible decisions all around.
Worst ragbrai stop of all time.
^why?
I am a regular ragbrai rider and I can tell you that entertainment like this is way over and above anything that most ragbrai overnight towns do. It will be a huge success.
So, next year, other towns will have to match or exceed this? I think it’s going to eliminate smaller towns from EVER hosting over night locations.
You’re the only one with bad enough logic to ask a dumb question like that.
actually it is generally expected to be this way. the smaller towns do smaller shows and the one or two big towns per year do something bigger. The riders know and expect that. there is a lot of excitement from my group of riders about the party in mason city.
Since when it is expected that other towns MUST match other towns? That’s your perception.