As the July date for the new Iowa’s Ride bike ride looms ever closer, the Clarion committee to plan for the overnight stay in town is working on big picture arrangements. Organizing an event of this magnitude is by no means an easy process, but the committee is pushing through the hiccups. Recently, Clarion Chamber Director Ali Disney took up the reigns for the event when the former head decided to move on from Clarion.
Disney said the organizers are still working on making many decisions for the July 15 stop, but some things have been set in stone. For instance, the committee is actively seeking riding group hosts. This is an opportunity that would allow Clarion folks to host bike riders at their homes in some fashion. Disney explained that residents could sign up to allow a group or groups to pitch a tent in their yard, park a camper in their driveway, or even stay in their home.
While there will be a general campground available to riders near the high school, some prefer a quieter or more private setting. Disney emphasizes that this can be a great opportunity for not only the riders but also Clarion residents. “It really could be a great experience for people,” she asserts. “You could get to know some riders, learn about why they ride and share how great Clarion is. Riders also enjoy meeting people and not just riding through these towns.”
The forms to sign up to become a host are available on the Iowa’s Ride-Clarion Facebook page and the Chamber’s website. Disney said she’s also happy to print out the forms at the office if people prefer that route. She adds that the forms to host are very detailed and include things like whether or not people will allow alcohol at their homes and if riders can use laundry machines and bathrooms. The goal is to create a sizable list of potential hosts that Disney can dip into should riders and support staff start to call and ask for places to stay.
In addition to asking people to host riders, Disney says that they will soon be taking applications for food vendors. There will be a fee to be a vendor and information will soon be available on the Facebook page as well. Disney notes that the committee is looking forward to getting as many Wright County vendors as possible. They will also likely accept outside vendors as well as she hopes that they can offer a wide variety of different types of food.
Down the road, there will also be the opportunity for non-food vendors to get involved as well, Disney points out. The committee will also be seeking many volunteers the days before, during and after the ride comes through. That information will be made available closer to the ride.
In another development, the committee has elected to change the theme of the Clarion stopover to “Experience Clarion.” Disney explained that the committee felt this theme better encompasses their aim of getting riders and visitors to enjoy the whole of Clarion and what it has to offer. She stressed, “The goal is that when people leave Clarion, they have found something special about it, share that with others and bring them back.”
Five months out from the ride, there is still plenty for Clarion to coordinate, but the committee is still excited about the great opportunity that this will provide the town. Disney added that the head of the whole ride recently shared that, as of the beginning of February, they had around 1,000 people registered for the ride from 43 states and five countries. With those numbers assured to grow, Clarion will likely be welcoming a few thousand people before we know it.
