Cedar Rapids, IA – The Cedar Rapids RAGBRAI® Advisory and Executive Committees would like to thank the citizens of Cedar Rapids for welcoming the RAGBRAI participants to our community on July 26 and 27. Together our community hosted 20,000 riders and guests at three campgrounds and in homes throughout the area, shuttled them downtown to RAGBRAI’s 40^th Celebration, hosted a free kids zone and bike safety event, and followed it up with Breakfast on the Bridge in New Bohemia/Czech Village the next morning. Riders safely navigated the events and nine mile route through Cedar Rapids.

Thousands attended the Party on the Island in Cedar Rapids to celebrate RAGBRAI’s 40th Ride! Courtesy of STEVE POPE PHOTOGRAPHY/RAGBRAI

Nearly 20 planning committees spent seven months and thousands of hours planning and preparing for the cyclists. In all, 700 community members filled 900 shifts and volunteered 2,000 hours, which can be valued at $43,580 in labor costs.

The overall budget to hold Cedar Rapids RAGBRAI was approximately $400,000.  Expenses included $195,000 for main stage and local entertainment at the campgrounds; $100,000 for staging, seating, video screens and insurance; $40,000 for law enforcement and shuttles; and $50,000 for signage, fundraising, printing, portable toilets and campground amenities.

Revenue included a total of $210,000 in cash donations and sponsorships, a net $50,000 in beverage sales, $75,000 in concert ticket and merchandise sales and $25,000 in vendor fees. In addition, Cedar Rapids RAGBRAI received thousands of dollars worth of in-kind services from local businesses, media partners, nonprofit agencies and local government.

Expenses exceeded revenue by $25,000. The committees will ask the Cedar Rapids City Council to donate money from the hotel-motel tax fund to cover the outstanding balance. This request will not impact local property taxes.

“I am proud of our city. RAGBRAI was a great way to show off Cedar Rapids to thousands of people across the country and around the world,” said Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett. “Our community profited in a variety of ways. From the server at a local restaurant that made $185 in an hour and a half in tips, to filling rooms at our local hotels, to riders visiting our local attractions, businesses and nonprofit vendor booths, there are endless examples. I believe our investment in the RAGBRAI events was worth every penny.”

According to RAGBRAI®, the total direct, indirect and induced spending related to RAGBRAI events in an overnight stop can be equated to a $3 million investment in a community.

Cedar Rapids RAGBRAI®

The Cedar Rapids RAGBRAI Advisory and Executive Committees included representatives from the Cedar Rapids Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, Cedar Rapids Community School District, Linn County Trails Association, Cedar Rapids Main Street: Czech Village/New Bohemia District, City of Cedar Rapids, Linn County and Source Media Group.

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Sales closed as of Aug 7 at 5 p.m.

Due to popular demand, the Survivin’ the Ride t-shirts will be available for purchase for a limited time!  S-XL cost $15 and 2XL costs $16.  These shirts are a great way to commemorate the Cedar Rapids RAGBRAI Survivin’ the Ride experience!

Commemorative Survivin’ the Ride bandanas are also available.

Click here to buy your Survivin’ the Ride merchandise.

Thank you to the community for coming out in force to help with RAGBRAI in Cedar Rapids on July 26 and 27, 2012!

In all, 700 community members filled 900 shifts and volunteered 2,000 hours! The independent sector values those hours at $43,580!

Wow. Thank you!

Volunteers helped with everything from sign removal, staffing information booths to giving riders direction.

“This event was another indicator of how great this community is,” said Sue Driscoll, United Way’s volunteer manager. “We hope everyone stays involved and continues to volunteer. You can find volunteer opportunities at UnitedWayofEastCentralIowa.org/VolunteerNow.”

Source

Tickets for the Cedar Rapids RAGBRAI® Party on the Island concert on Thursday, July 26 are available at a special discount now through the day of the show: buy three tickets and get the fourth ticket free. That’s a savings of $25.00. Four tickets must be purchased to receive this discount. The following special discount code must be used to receive the discount: crowsincr726. Tickets purchased in other quantities cost $25 each in advance or day of the show.

Tickets can be purchased at the Theatre Cedar Rapids box office, located at 102 3^rd Street SE, or online at www.TheatreCR.org/RAGBRAI. The box office has expanded its hours over the next few days to accommodate demand for this special discount. Those special hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 25 and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on July 26.

The Cedar Rapids RAGBRAI® Party on the Island concert and 40^th Celebration will feature the Grammy-nominated Counting Crows. The Counting Crows are best known for hits such as, “Mr. Jones”, “Accidentally in Love”, “Hanginaround”, and “Big Yellow Taxi”. Local opening bands include: Chad Elliott and Bonita Crowe, followed by Adobanga. Opening national acts include: We Are Augustines, Kasey Anderson and The Honkeys, and Field Report.

Gates open and music begins at 4:30 p.m. The concert ends at 11:00 p.m. All tickets are general admission. No ticket refunds will be issued. This is a rain or shine event. No outside food or drinks will be allowed. Food and drink will be available for purchase at several stands. Chairs and blankets are allowed inside the venue. Registered RAGBRAI® riders will receive free admission to this concert.

The downtown concert venue encompasses First Street SE in front of the Alliant Energy building, the Second and Third Avenue bridges and May’s Island. These streets will be blocked off for beverage gardens, merchandise and food vendors serving pulled pork sandwiches, shish kabobs, caramel apple nachos, smoothies, strawberry lemonade and more.

Cedar Rapids area residents are encouraged to take part in the excitement and entertainment throughout the city.  Click here to view a full list of entertainment.

Tickets for the Cedar Rapids RAGBRAI® Party on the Island concert next Thursday, July 26 are available at a special discount: buy three tickets and get the fourth ticket free. That’s a savings of $25.00. Four tickets must be purchased to receive this discount. The following special discount code must be used to receive the discount: crowsincr726. Tickets purchased in other quantities cost $25 each in advance.

The Cedar Rapids RAGBRAI® Party on the Island concert and 40^th Celebration will feature the Grammy-nominated Counting Crows. The Counting Crows are best known for hits such as, “Mr. Jones”, “Accidentally in Love”, “Hanginaround”, and “Big Yellow Taxi”. Local opening bands include: Chad Elliott and Bonita Crowe, followed by Adobanga. Opening national acts include: We Are Augustines, Kasey Anderson and The Honkeys, and Field Report.

Tickets can be purchased at the Theatre Cedar Rapids box office, located at 102 3^rd Street SE, or online at www.TheatreCR.org/RAGBRAI. The box office has expanded its hours over the next few days to accommodate demand for this special discount. Those special hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. today, July 20, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 23, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 24, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 25 and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on July 26.

Gates open and music begins at 4:30 p.m. The concert ends at 11:00 p.m. All tickets are general admission. No ticket refunds will be issued. This is a rain or shine event. No outside food or drinks will be allowed. Food and drink will be available for purchase at several stands. Chairs and blankets are allowed inside the venue. Registered RAGBRAI® riders will receive free admission to this concert.

The downtown concert venue encompasses First Street SE in front of the Alliant Energy building, the Second and Third Avenue bridges and May’s Island. These streets will be blocked off for beverage gardens, merchandise and food vendors serving pulled pork sandwiches, shish kabobs, caramel apple nachos, smoothies, strawberry lemonade and more.

Click here to view a full list of additional entertainment, including FREE family activities.