RAGBRAI CYCLING COUNTRY FESTIVAL DETAILS ANNOUNCED
7/1/2008 12:00:00 AM
Festival to Benefit Embrace Iowa: 2008 Iowa Disaster Fund
(AMES, Iowa) – The CYcling Country Committee, the City of Ames, and Iowa State University are pleased to announce RAGBRAI CYcling Country Festival entertainment and details. As RAGBRAI rolls into CYcling Country, rock legends Styx will headline an evening show benefiting the Embrace Iowa: 2008 Disaster Fund.
Karin Sevde, RAGBRAI Co-Chair commented, “The decision to work with RAGBRAI to create a fundraising event was driven by the many riders from the past that have been in touch with RAGBRAI on how they love Iowa and when they heard about the flooding wanted to help. It seemed like a great opportunity to unite for all of Iowa during an event that is all about Iowa.”
City of Ames Mayor Ann Campbell is excited and grateful for the opportunity to help serve disaster relief efforts. "The memory of the floods of 1993 in Ames flashed back as water started rising in 2008,” says Campbell. “That year we saw homes and businesses destroyed and the lives of many residents disrupted. This year we dodged the bullet of major destruction while watching our Iowa neighbors suffer unprecedented damage. Now we have the tremendous opportunity to invite our RAGBRAI guests to join us in helping Iowans struggle to recover."
ISU President Gregory Geoffroy says Iowa State also is excited about hosting this important event. “The Embrace Iowa: 2008 Disaster Fund gives Iowa State University and Ames a wonderful opportunity to show support for our fellow Iowans who are suffering from the devastating floods,” says Geoffroy. “I'm encouraging everyone to join us at the CYcling Country Festival and demonstrate our commitment to help those in great need.”
WHEN & WHERE
The RAGBRAI CYcling Country Festival will be held from 5:00 p.m. to Midnight in the Iowa State Center parking lots on Tuesday, July 22.
FEATURED ENTERTAINMENT
The Festival will feature a live performance by Styx. Styx is well-known for their 1973 top hit “Lady” as well as many other songs including “Renegade” and “Come Sail Away.” Styx will be selling
T-shirts and autographs with proceeds benefiting the Embrace Iowa: 2008 Disaster Fund. Iowa’s own The Nadas, who got their start as ISU students, will also be performing at the Festival.
DONATIONS & PROCEEDS
Free-will, tax-deductible donations will be accepted all day in Ames at the RAGBRAI information centers and at the evening festival with 100% of the donations going to the relief fund.
ADMISSION
Admission to the CYcling Country Festival will be $5.00 for registered RAGBRAI participants or $10.00 for general admission. Tickets go on sale July 10th. Admission is free to those who wear their official tie-dye CYcling Country shirts, including sponsors and volunteers, as well as to individuals who wear the CYcling Country event t-shirts. CYcling Country event t-shirts are $20.00 and provide admission to the festival as well as free transportation during the RAGBRAI stop in Ames. Shirts are on sale at the University Book Store, at Dogtown University, and online at www.amesragbrai.com.
ABOUT RAGBRAI
RAGBRAI is an Iowa tradition. It celebrates the sights, the sounds, the friends, the food, and the hospitality of the warm and friendly people of Iowa. Every year participants come from all 50 states and several foreign countries.
RAGBRAI is the oldest, longest and largest recreational bicycle touring event in the world. Ames is the third night of the tour of the 471-mile route that begins in Missouri Valley and ends in Le Claire.
ABOUT EMBRACE IOWA: 2008 DISASTER FUND
Governor Chet Culver and key business leaders, along with the Des Moines Register, have established Embrace Iowa: 2008 Disaster Fund to receive contributions from individuals, businesses and organizations to benefit Iowans who have experienced significant hardships during the storms and floods of 2008. For more information about the Embrace Iowa: 2008 Disaster Fund, please vis
Download Attachment
For more information regarding RAGBRAI or to submit a news item, contact:
Allyson Walter
allysonw@amescvb.com