RAGBRAI image

For the first time in its history, Kalona will be a stop on the RAGBRAI route.

It will be on the leg from Sigourney to Iowa City July 27. Kalona will be the meeting town, for which the support vehicles for bicyclists will be stationed from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. City Administrator Ryan Schlabaugh says this will be an opportunity for businesses and organizations to showcase Kalona to the thousands of anticipated visitors, “Not every entity is going to benefit the same that day, but we as a community can put our best foot forward and ideally use it as an opportunity to let people know what Kalona has so then when they’re in the Iowa City, Cedar Rapids area that they choose to spend half a day or a day in Kalona to visit our shops, restaurants, brewery, historical sites such as the village, and so forth.”

Schlabaugh says the city is working with Wellman and Riverside to create a website to inform visitors of what the three cities have to offer. Kalona is holding a public meeting for businesses and community members to learn more about the RAGBRAI stop and give input at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Kalona Public Library.