Among items or opportunities that will be offered at the event, which is being held at the Lake Panorama National Resort and Conference Center:

–A British-made Brompton bicycle, one of those that rides comfortably on any trail or roadway, and can be folded-up for easy transport in your auto or on an airplane. The very popular Brompton is being donated by the All Ability Cycles shop in Jefferson and the Home State Bank, also in Jefferson.

–Dallas Center artist & plumber Brian Myers and his wife Linda, who are avid users of the RRVT, have donated another of the very popular copper weather vanes that Brian makes — using some plumbing parts, actually. These original artworks have been hot bidding items at past auctions.

Oh, and there is much, much more:

–KCCI-TV news anchors Kevin & Mollie Cooney are again offering a package deal for two people — lunch on the Cooneys are a Des Moines restaurant and then a guided tour by them of the KCCI studios.

–Want to get an inside analysis of this year’s RAGBRAI route? Two of you can get it straight from the boss, as RAGBRAI director T.J. Juskiewicz is donating lunch for two and a tour of the RAGBRAI HQ in the Des Moines Register offices.

–There are several travel or event “packages,” including a special “West Des Moines get-away” that includes a room at the Marriott Hotel there, dinner at the Bonefish Grill, a spa visit, a Kindle reader, an eye-popping “bicyclist’s duffle bag” and more.

–There is a Schwinn children’s tricycle, built almost like a Big Wheels, that you’ll first wish you could buy in an adult size, but then you’ll decide that one of your grandchildren just has to have it! Wait ’til you see its chrome fenders!

–Nearly all the trail communities have a special basket, filled with gift cards from local shops, restaurants and attractions.

–Jefferson stained glass artist Tammie Sobkowiak has done an original 12-inch-square piece that is based on a photo taken of a scene on the Raccoon River Valley Trail.

–Another Jefferson artist, painter Karen Cooper, has done a special bicycle-theemed painting.

–There is a “wine package” featuring a number of California varieties.

–And, of course, there will be all kinds of bicycle gear.

Guest speaker at the banquet is Van Harden, the popular morning show co-host on WHO radio in Des Moines. Harden grew up and still lives in Adel on the RRVT, and frequently walks on the trail. He began his radio career at KDLS in Perry, and at one point owned the FM station that has become KGRA in Jefferson, two other of our trail towns.

The banquet tickets are still being sold online (you can get them HERE) of by calling RRVT HQ at (515) 386-5488. The silent auction begins with the social hour at 6 p.m., the banquet meal is at 6:45 p.m., the program and live auction begin at 7:30 p.m., and the silent auction closes at 8:15 p.m.