The Ride Through Shenandoah

Shenandoah, the 'City with Energy', is showing off its heritage as the Garden City with the 2016 RAGBRAI theme, "Flower Power". Shenandoah was a seed & nursery town and is now the home of ethanol production. Flower Power not only reflects Shenandoah's industry, but also harkens back to the year RAGBRAI began in 1973. Peace, Love, Ride - Shenandoah!

Our route into town and to the main campgrounds can be viewed by air on our website. We filmed notorious RAGBRAI veteran Terry Castle riding the route with KMA Radio's drone and set it to the music of local singer George McGargill's original song "The One-Armed Man From RAGBRAI".

As riders enter Shenandoah on Sheridan Avenue from the west they will see our gateway arch covered with bicycle parts and flowers. Greeters will be there to welcome them and pass out Flower Power packets of Zinnia seeds, a souvenir from Earl May Seed & Nursery which was founded and still headquartered in Shenandoah. We will be playing tunes popular from 1968-1974 and broadcasting them on a temporary FM station throughout the city. The station will also be used to make announcements pertaining to riders and Shenandoah RAGBRAI volunteers.

Continuing east on Sheridan Avenue the first information center will be located in the parking lot of Iowa Western Community College Page/Fremont County Center. The information center will have details about activities and entertainment, where to eat, camping locations and directions to other housing. Also there will be some Flower Power photo opportunities with a hippie flare nearby thanks to the creative Shenandoah RAGBRAI Hospitality Committee and Pella Corporation. Shenandoah is home to the custom window division of Pella Corporation.

Emergency medical services will be provided next to the information center at IWCC and at Shenandoah Medical Center, near the main campgrounds at the south edge of town.

Straight ahead is our beautiful downtown streetscape adorned with bright colored Zinnias, flower decorated bikes, hanging baskets and bicycle wheel flower power decorations on the light poles. Store windows will display elementary students' art work created for the art contest, as well as additional large flower posters. At the entryway to downtown lies the Everly Brothers' Childhood Home and neighboring Shenandoah Historical Museum, both open to riders and visitors. Riders won't have to look far for a refreshment, with the historic Depot Restaurant and Microbrewery, the main stage for entertainment, and the main beverage garden all in close proximity. There will be plenty more photo opps, including a Volkswagen Bug with flowers spilling out of the trunk or cutouts of the Everly Brothers or the Beatles. AA meetings will be held in the Shenandoah Historical Museum building.

The entertainment lineup will include music reminiscent of our theme, with something for everyone. Acoustic guitar and original songs will be played by Eric Nelson beginning at 3 p.m., followed by The Smoking Brodies, Chad Elliott, and the Matt Cox Band. Hamilton Loomis will feature high-powered blues from 7 PM to 8:30, Secret Weapon will rock out with 80's hits from 8:45 – 10 PM, and the final headliner will be "Peace, Love, Etc." with all our favorite 60's and 70's music and more from 10:30 PM until Midnight. There will also be an open microphone format available for acoustic music at the Gazebo stage next to City Hall. The stage will be free to local singers and musicians all day and into the evening. The area surrounding City Hall will feature the bike shops and T-Shirt Vendors.

The Food & Vendor area will be located on Sheridan Avenue in the heart of downtown. Several churches, the schools, restaurants and bars will be catering to riders with meals downtown and throughout the city. Vendors should be ready to serve riders by 11 AM throughout the evening. Free water bottle fill up will be provided at the National Guard Armory on Ferguson Rd. next to Sportsman's Park, downtown next the Everly Brother's House, at the school campgrounds, and in other various City Parks. McComb Park will be home to our main information center, luggage trucks, bike repairs, and lost & found.

Beverages will be served in the beverage garden area near the main stage just northeast of the Depot on Railroad Avenue. To allow freedom to explore our beautiful downtown, the entire vendor area will be an open container area adjacent to food vendors, downtown stores and portable restrooms. Beverages will be served from Noon until Midnight and cost is $5 for 16 oz. aluminum bottles and cans. Water and Gatorade will be 2 for $5. Available beer choices will be: Michelob Ultra, Budweiser, Bud Light, Busch Light, Stella Artois, Goose Island IPA, Goose Island 312, Bud Light Lime, and multiple flavors of the BL 'Ritas.

After lunch make your way to one of the 10 parks, two school grounds or individual houses hosting riders. You will find beautiful areas to camp and multiple recreational opportunities. Besides the parks, Shenandoah has many other recreation opportunities including the 18-hole American Legion Country Club, Wilson Aquatic Center, Sportsplex (with miniature golf, go carts, batting cages and more), Skateland skating rink, Little Waite Lanes 8-lane bowling alley, and Legacy 3 triple-screen movie theater. Compliments of the Iowa Army National Guard, there will be a rock climbing wall and inflatable obstacle course downtown for kids and adults alike. Downtown businesses also have much to offer, such as Serenity Studio & Spa's yoga, massage, sauna, steam shower, soaking tubs, and gift shop.

The Shuttle will transport people to and from downtown, with stops located near each of the main campgrounds, the school, and both ends of downtown. Shuttle rides will be free thanks to our school and Southwest Iowa Transit Authority.

After a night of Peace and Love, cyclists will be ready to Ride in the morning. They can grab some breakfast from a vendor or restaurant and head out Center Street towards Essex and pass under our Flower Power arch with the banner sending them on their way..."Peace out, Ride on!"