Dunlap ready to welcome thousands for RAGBRAI
By Jill Schaben
For the Harrison County Times Reporter
Ready or Not, RAGBRAI is here
After months of planning, countless volunteer hours, and community-wide collaboration, Dunlap is ready to welcome thousands of bicyclists and visitors as the first official meeting town on Day 1 of RAGBRAI on Sunday, July 19.
As a meeting town (first time since July, 1983), Dunlap will serve as the designated location where support vehicles traveling a separate route can reconnect with their riders. Support vehicle parking will be located at the 4=County Fairgrounds, while the heart of the festivities will take place in the festival district centered around the intersection of Iowa Avenue and 7th Street, extending one block in each direction.
This year’s theme, “We Put the AG in RAGBRAI!”, celebrates the community’s agricultural roots. One of the event’s signature attractions is a custom-built “Bale-Cycle”,
being handcrafted by local welder Nick Braun. The bicycle-shaped metal sculpture will be mounted atop two large round hay bales, creating a unique photo opportunity that captures Dunlap’s rural spirit.
Continuing the agricultural theme, visitors can also stroll through an Avenue of Tractors near Boyer Valley Middle/High School, where a collection of tractors—from antique classics to today’s modern machines, and from compact models to impressive large-scale equipment—will be on display.
Hungry riders won’t leave disappointed. The festival will feature 22 food vendors, offering an impressive variety of menu options. Visitors can enjoy everything from meatball sandwiches, homemade pie, barbecue, and Thai cuisine to fruit smoothies, specialty coffee, roasted sweet corn, and plenty of sweet treats.
Entertainment will be provided throughout the day by DJ Dave, a longtime RAGBRAI favorite sponsored by Team Checker, keeping the energy high as riders and visitors make their way through town.
Those looking to recharge can also take advantage of wellness services offered by Lambert Family Chiropractic and Massage by Ella. For refreshments, The Dog House Bar & Grill will serve as the community's primary beer garden. In addition to the festival activities, Dunlap will also host a special stop by the Veteran Flagpole Initiative, affectionately known during RAGBRAI as “FLAG-BRAI.”
Sometime during the mid-morning hours, volunteers will install a complimentary flagpole at People’s Park, located at the corner of 8th Street and Iowa Avenue. Veterans and community members are invited to attend this patriotic ceremony as the organization continues its mission of honoring those who have served our country.
With thousands of riders, support crews, and visitors expected, residents should anticipate heavy traffic and significant congestion throughout the community. The Dunlap RAGBRAI Committee expects the busiest period to occur between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Residents are encouraged to plan errands, appointments, and travel accordingly.
The Dunlap RAGBRAI Committee has spent months working to create a welcoming, memorable experience for both visitors and the community. From coordinating vendors and entertainment to organizing volunteers, logistics, and safety planning, the effort has
truly been a town-wide undertaking.
On July 19, Dunlap will have the opportunity to showcase its hospitality, small-town charm, and agricultural heritage to thousands of people from across Iowa and around the world.
The committee looks forward to welcoming everyone to experience why Dunlap proudly says, “We Put the AG in RAGBRAI!”
