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Six months and many, many meetings after the RAGBRAI overnight towns were announced in January, we find ourselves only 14 days away from welcoming 20,000+ guests into our community. This is an amazing opportunity to showcase this place we call home! Whether you are volunteering, offering your home or yard to riders, or just enjoying the festivities, everyone has the opportunity to be involved on July 26th. As we look forward to the big day, this month's newsletter aims to provide residents with important RAGBRAI-related information. If you'd like to learn more about what's planned for RAGBRAI's overnight stop in Emmetsburg on Tuesday, July 26 please visit www.emmetsburgragbrai.com.
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RAGBRAI: Severe Weather Shelters
Light up the town with green lights for safety!
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The Emmetsburg RAGBRAI Public Safety Committee is requesting assistance from the community as volunteers for Project Green Light. Citizens of Emmetsburg are lighting up the town with green lights for safety. Homes and businesses, especially those in proximity to the main campgrounds, are being asked to display green lights all day to identify their home or business as a safe shelter. In the event of a severe weather emergency, such as a thunderstorm or tornado warning, riders will head for the green light.
If you're willing to offer your home or business as a safe weather shelter, please pick up a green light bulb at the Emmetsburg Chamber of Commerce Office - 1121 Broadway St.
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RAGBRAI: Housing Deadline
Housing Assistance Available Until July 15
Many RAGBRAI riders and support persons are looking for housing in Emmetsburg on July 26th. Our local RAGBRAI Housing Committee Chair has been working hard to assist riders/teams with their housing placements. July 15th will be the last day for groups or local hosts to request assistance with housing placements. After July 15th, riders and local hosts will need to use the Emmetsburg RAGBRAI Housing Facebook group to connect with each other. To learn more about offering housing to riders, please click here.
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RAGBRAI: Road Closures, Parking & Safety
TUESDAY NIGHT PARKING
If you are hosting riders or plan to have family/friends in town, the Emmetsburg Police Department has designated the North and West sides of the roads as the "parking areas" for overflow vehicles, buses, campers, etc. (unless already marked with NO PARKING signs). Many of our residential roads do not have enough room to park vehicles on both sides, so please try to keep everyone to one side. Remember, you may be able to fit a car through some spots, but fire trucks and ambulances need more room. Also, do not allow power cords or water lines to lay across the roadways and sidewalks.
BACK INTO DRIVEWAYS
If and when possible, back your vehicle into driveways. It is always safer to drive onto the roadways with a better line-of-sight than to back out. Bikes can be hard to see, so it's time to go back to the basics. Look, look again, and look one more time before pulling into traffic.
EXTENDED ON-STREET PARKING
Starting July 23rd to July 27th, the Emmetsburg Police Department will NOT be issuing overnight parking tickets. If you plan to park on the street, please notify the Emmetsburg Police Department at 712-852-2424. This will provide assistance to Officers in locating owners should there be a problem.
ROAD CLOSURES
If you have any questions, please feel free to call the Emmetsburg Police Department at 712-852-2424.
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RAGBRAI: Maps & Key Locations
MAIN CAMPGROUNDS
The main RAGBRAI campground will be located at the Palo Alto County Fairground. Additional campgrounds reserved for charter groups and teams include the little league fields and soccer fields, Emmetsburg Police Department (FKA Joyce Funeral Home) lawn, Catholic school/church lot, Brown Robins Park, Harrison Park, Harlan Park, and Middle School gym. RV/bus parking will be located at the Wild Rose Casino RV Park, High School parking lot, and Iowa Lakes Community College (for overflow parking).
ENTERTAINMENT & VENDOR AREA
The main entertainment and vendor area will be in and around Soper Park. 7th Street directly south of Soper Park will be closed. Broadway will be closed north of Highway 18 until 5th Street where food, bike, and other vendors will line the road. The beer garden and concert stage will be located at the south end of Soper Park. The beer garden entrance will be at southeast corner of Soper Park. EVERYONE must have a valid ID to enter the beer garden.
SHUTTLE ROUTES
Six different shuttle routes will be operating on July 26th. The shuttle maps are available on the RAGBRAI website.
- Blue Route: Iowa Lakes Community College < > Soper Park
- Gold Route: High School < > Soper Park
- Pink Route: Brown Robins Park < > 8th/Union
- Green Route: Fairgrounds < > Hwy 4/18
- Orange Route: Casino < > VFW (with stop at Hwy 4/18)
- Red Route: VFW < > Hwy 4/18
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RAGBRAI: Volunteers Needed
Several RAGBRAI committees are still in need of volunteers. Can you help out with any of the following? Please contact the Chamber at 712-852-2283 to sign up.
- Monday Sign Crew: Help put up no parking signs, shuttle signs, directional signs, and more. Meet at the Chamber office at 8:00am on Monday 7/25 to help.
- Welcome Crew: Welcome, wave, and give out freebies on 25th Street as riders enter the community (2 hour shifts).
- Bus Guides: Ride a shuttle route, announce shuttle stops, and answer questions riders may have.
- Beer Garden: Help take tickets and grab beverages in the beer tent
- Farewell Crew: Help say "bye bye to the 'Burg" as riders leave the community on Wednesday morning at 6:00am. We'll be passing out a limited number of donuts to riders.
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RAGBRAI: Beautify the 'Burg
Help Paint the Town with Irish Proverbs
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Signs placed around the town will welcome RAGBRAI riders on July 26. A total of 50 signs are being made to decorate the town, and there are still a few board left! Those wanting to help can pick from Irish sayings or pieces of wisdom (provided) and paint them on a board along with any desired decorative touches. Sayings, boards, and paint supplies are available. Please call Diane Weiland at 641-7454-7322 to make arrangements. All signs need to be completed and returned to the Chamber by July 20.
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RAGBRAI: Entertainment Lineup
Boogie in the 'Burg
Don't miss the lineup of live entertainment at Soper Park!
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One Layne Band
2:45 PM - 4:45 PM
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Birdchild
5:15 PM - 8:15 PM
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Brian Boru Irish Pipe Band
8:30 PM - 8:45 PM
+ throughout the community during the day
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The Pork Tornadoes
8:45 PM - 11:00 PM (playing straight through)
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What's happening before/after RAGBRAI? |
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Don't Miss Out!
Message from the Emmetsburg Chamber of Commerce |
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Your Emmetsburg Chamber is very busy with plans for the next month. Here’s what is in store for you.
- Ridiculous Days - Thursday and Friday, July 14 & 15. Register at these participating businesses to possibly win $100 in Chamber Bucks while shopping both inside and out: The Clover Cottage, A Heavenly Celebration, Blossoming Creations, St. Pat’s Irish Gift Shop, Willow Tree Garden Center, Archery Shop & Range, Hughes HealthMart Pharmacy and The Shores at Five Island.
- Live After Six - Thursday, July 21 @ 6:30. Enjoy the music of Kris Karr on the Veranda at The Shores sponsored by Standard Nutrition and The Shores.
- Chamber Coffee - July 21 honoring Smith Wellness Center 25th Anniversary & July 22 at PAC Fair.
- RAGBRAI July 26 - Emmetsburg welcomes 20,000+ bicycle riders to relax and enjoy Five Island Lake, great food, great music, and great Irish hospitality.
- 6th Keep “EM Brewing Homebrewfest - August 13 at Soper Park featuring craft beer & wine tasting, Ribfest & Homebrew competitions, ribeye sandwiches & burgers and the Jeremy DeWall Band.
- Business Appreciation Day Golf on August 18 followed by Live After Six with the music of Midland Vibe.
We appreciate your support and mark your calendars so you don’t miss a thing!
Deb Hite
Director, Emmetsburg Chamber of Commerce
712.852.2283
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6th Annual BBQ Contest & Summer Bash
Don't miss the 6th Annual Summer Bash sponsored by the St. Patrick’s Association & Emmetsburg Fire Department at the Palo Alto County Fairgrounds on Friday, July 29 and Saturday, July 30th.
Come on down Friday, July 29th and see all the amazing setups that the many different BBQ teams have to compete with. This year is the First Turkey Smoke Contest after being chosen to be one of 24 contests to be held in the United States! Turn-in for the Smoked Turkey Contest will be at 7:30 PM with awards to follow.
At 5:30 PM the Annual Bean Bags Tournament Warm Ups will begin, and the tournament starts at 6:30 PM. The entry fee after July 1 is $25 per team (non-refundable) until the tournament is full. There will be 16 all-male teams and 16 co-ed teams. Must be 18+ years of age to participate.
One Layne Band will be taking the stage as the main act at 8:00 PM to entertain everyone for the rest of the night!
Join St. Pat's on Saturday, July 30th from 9:00 AM to noon for our their Vendor Show with many local Direct Sales Tables set up.
Grab the kids and head down to the Palo Alto County Fairgrounds as there will be many kids' games and activities taking place starting at 10:00 AM.
While you're enjoying the day be sure to check out the Cruise-In Car & Tractor Show beginning at 1:00 PM with cars coming from all over.
Turn-in for KCBS BBQ will be between 12:00-1:30 PM for various meats, and winners/prizes will be announced at 4:00 PM.
There will be food trucks available throughout the weekend as well!
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City Announcements
Reminder: Use of Fireworks Prohibited
As a reminder, the City of Emmetsburg DOES NOT allow the use of Fireworks within the City Limits. This can be confusing to some since there are Fireworks for sale within the city limits, but you can't use them within the City limits of Emmetsburg.
The sale and use of fireworks are two separate topics.
The sale of Fireworks in Emmetsburg is allowed as long as the vendor meets the State and City requirements, and are properly registered, insured and permitted with City Hall (A full list of requirements can be found in the Emmetsburg City Code).
The use of Fireworks are prohibited within the city limits under Emmetsburg City Code. In 2017 The State of Iowa allowed municipalities to decide if they would allow the use of Fireworks. In 2018 The Emmetsburg City Council voted on the topic which resulted in a split vote of 3 to 3. The Mayor at the time, voted against the use of fireworks which broke the tie, thus resulting the prohibited use of Fireworks within the City limits of Emmetsburg. A violation of the Emmetsburg Code for using fireworks may result in criminal charges.
- Police Chief Ryan Veldboom
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VFW Bingo
Mondays - Light meal at 5:30 PM and regular BINGO from 6:45-9:00 PM @ Emmetsburg VFW |
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Food Pantry
1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month from 5:00-6:30 PM @ Grace Baptist Church |
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TOPS® Meeting
Wednesdays at 4:15 PM @ Iowa Welcome Center |
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Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
Thursdays at 7:30 PM @ Family Life Center |
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Tea Time Cinema
Thursdays at 2:00 PM @ Emmetsburg Public Library
Classic movie is shown + tea is served. Free and open to all.
Call library for titles showing and more info: 712-852-4009.
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Farmer's Market
Thursdays from 12:00-5:00 PM & Saturdays from 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Located on 10th Street along Courthouse Square
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Kindergarten-4th Grade Storytime
July 13 from 10:30-11:30 AM @ Emmetsburg Public Library |
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Emmetsburg Ridiculous Days
July 14-15
Register at participating businesses while you shop for your chance to win $100 Chamber Bucks! |
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Summer Food Box Da Pickup
July 14 from 8:30AM-3:00PM |
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Mobile Food Pantry
July 14 from 5:00-7:00 PM @ Grace Baptist Church |
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Adult CAASA Program
July 14 from 6:30-7:30 PM @ Emmetsburg Public Library |
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Preschool-4th Movie Day
July 15 from 1:00-2:30 PM @ Emmetsburg Public Library |
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Grace Baptist Church VBS
July 17-21 |
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Preschool Storytime
July 18 from 10:30-11:00 AM @ Emmetsburg Public Library |
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Retro Video Game Day
July 19 from 2:00-4:00 PM @ Emmetsburg Public Library |
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Kindergarten-4th Grade Storytime
July 20 from 10:30-11:30 AM @ Emmetsburg Public Library |
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Kindergarten-4th Grade Storytime
July 20 from 10:30-11:30 AM @ Emmetsburg Public Library |
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25th Anniversary Open House at the Art & Audrey Smith Wellness Center
July 21 from 9:30-10:30 AM @ Smith Wellness Center |
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Tween Movie Day
July 21 from 2:00-4:00 PM @ Emmetsburg Public Library
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Merchant-Sponsored Summer Movie Matinee
July 21 at 2:00 PM
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Live After Six ft. Kris Karr
June 16 from 6:30-9:30 PM @ The Shores at Five Island
Live After Six on the Veranda is coordinated by the Emmetsburg Chamber of Commerce. This performance is sponsored by Standard Nutrition. |
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Palo Alto County Fair
July 21-24 |
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Chamber Coffee @ Palo Alto County Fair
July 22 from 9:30-10:30 AM @ Exhibits Bu8ilding |
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Absolute Science Visits with Bubble Station
July 22 at 10:30 AM @ Emmetsburg Public Library |
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Summer Reading Closeout Party
July 22 from 2:00-3:30 PM @ Emmetsburg Public Library |
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Men's Open Golf Tournament
July 23 @ Five Island Golf - 712-852-3422 |
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Gaming After Hours
July 23 from 2:30-5:00 PM @ Emmetsburg Public Library |
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Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast
July 24 from 8:00AM-12:00PM @ Palo Alto County Fair |
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BIG BOOK SALE
July 25-29 @ Emmetsburg Public Library |
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Emmetsburg RAGBRAI XLIV
July 26 - emmetsburgragbrai.com |
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Merchant-Sponsored Summer Movie Matinee
July 28 at 2:00 PM
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St. Pat's 6th Annual Summer Bash & BBQ Contest
July 29-30 - details above
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The Emmetsburg newsletter is produced by the City of Emmetsburg Marketing & Retail Coordinator. |
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