Davenport is getting ready for a lot of visitors; perhaps 50,000 visitors on bicycles and running a foot race. Perhaps a lot more.
Leaders from the City of Davenport gathered with business and economic development officials Monday morning, July 10, to provide an update and rally the community for one big date – Saturday, July 29. That’s the day thousands of people will arrive in Davenport for the 50th anniversary of RAGBRAI (Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa) and the 49th annual running of the Quad-City Times Bix 7 race.
“The downtown will be activated. … This will be the center of the universe at the end of July,” Davenport Mayor Mike Matson told a crowd of about 50 people on Monday.
Mr. Matson and other officials gathered at the Union Station Destination Center, 102 S. Harrison St., Davenport, to update the community on events centered around the last weekend in July – which is being called the BixBRAI weekend.
The group also urged the community to get involved by being welcoming to the thousands of expected visitors as well as joining the fun and becoming a volunteer for the big weekend.
Dave Herrell, president and CEO of Visit Quad Cities, said hundreds of volunteers still are needed to help out with a variety of events. (Details on volunteering can be found here.)
“This is going to be one of the biggest Julys in Quad Cities history. … This is a fantastic opportunity for our community to welcome people from all over the world,” he added.
Volunteer training sessions will help educate Quad Citizens about volunteering. These sessions will be at the Union Station, one of Visit QC’s information centers, at these times: 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 18; 8:30 a.m. Thursday, July 20; as well as 1:30 p.m., and 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 26.
“We have many shifts available. We are looking for a lot more people who want to be involved,” Mr. Herrell added.
Even if area residents don’t have time to volunteer, officials on Monday asked area residents to be friendly, patient and helpful to the many visitors who might be in the Quad Cities for the first time. They also asked residents to get involved by attending the events on July 29.
“If running and walking aren’t your thing, come on out and cheer,” said Michelle Juehring, race director of the Quad-City Times Bix 7.
But before the cheering begins, a lot of work will need to be done. And that work starts before the big weekend. In fact, RAGBRAI events will start the week before July 29 as bikers and their families come to Davenport and the Quad Cities to park their vehicles before the start of the bicycle ride.
Thousands of those RAGBRAI participants will park at St. Ambrose University and the Isle Casino Hotel in Bettendorf on Friday and Saturday, July 21 and 22, before they get on motorcoach buses and head to Sioux City, Iowa, for the start of the bike ride.
Planning for the July 29 events have been in the works for months.
At the news conference Monday, city and business officials also thanked the many people and groups who are giving their time and talents to organize that big weekend.
“We are so thankful for all the people who do the work,” Mr. Matson added.
In addition, officials announced some of the entertainment events scheduled for the BixBRAI weekend events in Davenport. Some of those events include:
- Friday, July 28: Running Wild Sports and Fitness Expo, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., RiverCenter South; The Heights of the Era music event at Lindsey Park, Village of East Davenport, 1:30-11 p.m.; Stardust, 218 Iowa St., live music from 5:30-11 p.m.; Arconic Junior Bix race at 6 p.m.; live music at Bootleg Hill Honey Meadery, 321 E. Second St., at 7 p.m.; Bix Mix 2023 music will be from 7:30-10:30 p.m. outdoors on Third Street in downtown Davenport.
- Saturday, July 29: Quad-City Times Bix 7 race starts at 8 a.m.; Freight House Farmers Market, 421 W. River Drive, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.; vendors open at RAGBRAI dip site, 315 S. Marquette St. at 8 a.m.; RAGBRAI family friendly area events at LeClaire Park, Davenport, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; music and entertainment at the RAGBRAI dip site from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. music starts at the Bix Mix 2023 event at 11 a.m. outside on Third Street; Best Dam Bix Party, 410 E. Second St., all day; live music at Bootleg Hill Honey Meadery, 321 E. Second St., 1-11 p.m.; Finish Line Fest at the Stardust, 5:30-11 p.m.
“We are in the home stretch over the next few weeks and are thrilled to host the 50th anniversary of RAGBRAI and welcome thousands to downtown Davenport and the Quad Cities regional destination,” Mr. Herrell added. “This continues to be an incredible team effort with the City of Davenport professional staff, along with numerous partners and stakeholders to ensure we provide an incredible rider experience. … This is a special opportunity to showcase our community and demonstrate that midwestern spirit that the Quad Cities is known for delivering.”
For more information on the events, visit the Davenport RAGBRAI site and the Quad-City Times Bix 7 site.
