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By KARI H. BERG
Times-Republican
On July 28 more than 8,500 bicycle riders will appear in Marshalltown for an overnight RAGBRAI stop.
To accommodate the influx of visitors, the RAGBRAI Advisory Committee has been working for months to arrange accommodations for the riders.
According to committee officials, sleeping arrangements for the riders is one of the biggest tasks.
"Many people in Marshalltown have offered housing for our RAGBRAI riders, but we still need more," said Sarah Hesmer, housing committee co-chair. "As a reminder to those thinking of having guests in their home or camping in their yards, RAGBRAI riders want a place to sleep, bathroom and shower facilities- that is all. You do not need to feed them, our vendors will take care of that."
Hesmer also said registered RAGBRAI riders have signed a waiver and release of liability. Community members that host unregistered riders can be held liable for accidents that occur while a rider is in their home.
Area residents wishing to host registered riders during their stay in Marshalltown should visit www.marshalltown.org/RAGBRAI and complete a housing registration form.
"Please consider having guests in your home," Hesmer said. "It is great way to show Marshalltown has it 'ALL'".
RAGBRAI committee members are also seeking volunteers for July 28.
"Spots are available for over 800 volunteers in the RAGBRAI effort," said Kim Schryver, volunteer recruitment co-chair. "Many workers are needed for many different kinds of duties on the day riders and their crews come through Marshalltown on July 28. There are also several jobs volunteers can do in advance of RAGBRAI and a few jobs for the day after. Workers can sign up for a single 2-hour shift or a combinations of shifts. Volunteer sign up forms are available in the newspaper."
Schryver said volunteering for the event will be a lot of fun and very rewarding.
"This is a volunteer opportunity you don't want to miss," she said. "Be a part of a grand celebration of Marshalltown's strengths and enjoy the rewards of contributing your time to a worthy civic enterprise."
Food vendors are also needed to feed the hungry riders. The cost for a 25-foot by 25-foot space is $200 for vendors in Marshall County and immediate areas and $300 for non-local vendors.
"We are in need of unique food products," said Kevin Hitchins, food vendor co-chair. "We have lots of brats and grilled sandwiches and we also need local organizations to get applications in. Local organizations will be given priority in determining who gets in and where they are located. If we do not have enough local organizations, we will allow outside companies to come in."
Hitchins said he also encourages churches and other downtown organizations to provide products on their property. To be included in advertising and bus stops, organizations will be charged $300.
All vendors are expected to operate from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. and must submit an application by May 15. Applications and an electrical requirement form can be found on www.marshalltown.org/RAGBRAI
T-shirts are also in the works for the Marshalltown community. The Marshalltown Community School District, GMG, East Marshall Schools and West Marshall Schools will be selling the T-shirts.
"The schools will earn $1 for every T-shirt that they sell," said Pat Beurskens, temporary hospitality co-chair. "The flyers and posters will be delivered to the schools sometime this week and we will be able to get the orders filled and back to the schools before the end of the year."
Beurskens said after the school sales drive is completed the shirts will be available in stores around Marshalltown and the surrounding area.
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