Ladehoff

RAGBRAI has come and gone, and by talking with well over a hundred riders, Marshalltown rocks and is on some riders top 5 lists of towns they have ever visited over the years of riding the event. Every single rider was more than impressed with us, not a single negative remark was made. None, zero!

By all accounts, Marshalltown stepped up and took pride in OUR TOWN, showing it off a bit.

The Chamber RAGBRAI Committee (headed up by John Hall and Kyley Leger) put together an army of City, County, School, MCBD and many other groups and churches, plus well over 300 volunteers. They toiled for over 6 months, planning every single detail down to sign placement of over 500 signs. Was it perfect? No, but it was darn good.

Most comments from riders were; very clean town, super volunteers, great camping spots, Main Street was awesome and beautiful, the historical houses on Main Street rocked, townspeople were welcoming, funny and helpful, the Marshall County Courthouse stood out and shone for picture after picture, excellent planning and outstanding hosts and of course, the super-cool giant cement trowel.

Kudos to all the team that stepped up.

The RAGBRAI riders left their campgrounds squeaky clean with a grin.

I have received some complaints from residents too. Mainly; it was hard to get around, inconvenience, some businesses did great, others not so much, if any. Our city doesn’t want or need this, it’s just a pain, it’s stupid. And I hear you, but I just don’t agree.

Let’s look at the bigger picture.

When RAGBRAI is looking for overnight towns, some towns are not exactly up on the idea. It’s their loss.

Every year RAGBRAI and riders spend over 25 million dollars during the week. I am very sure that Marshalltown businesses got our fair share.

But, it’s not really all about the money.

It’s about pride and purpose.

Marshalltown people should be proud of where we call home and be willing to put up with minor inconveniences for the greater good. Residents uptown participating had a blast.

RAGBRAI estimates that at least 70% of the riders are from out of state. 70%!!!! Riding through Marshalltown could be doctors looking for a place to land, a business owner looking to expand to a new site, or an entrepreneur looking for a place to start. Perhaps an older couple looking for a place to retire, or a young couple looking for a nice town to start a family or a worker looking for a great town to move to and work.

By showcasing our town so well, Marshalltown is now stuck in 25,000 to 30,000 people’s heads and’s memories. And the best part? We did it with a personal touch that is so important. People from all over the United States and the world got to EXPERIENCE Marshalltown.

Progress is never “convenient,” it is hard and messy at times, but glorious in the end.

Let’s keep going!

Mike Ladehoff is the mayor of Marshalltown.