Clarion looks back at RAGBRAI stop

As RAGBRAI bikers pedal their way across Iowa, Clarion looks back at 25 years ago when the city was selected to be an overnight stay for the twowheeling travelers.

On Tuesday, July 27, 1993, the City of Clarion opened up for hundreds of guests as the wave of bicyclists for RAGBRAI XXI rode into the community on their journey from Sioux City to Dubuque. Golden marigolds, the city’s flower, lined the roadways along the bike route welcoming the riders into the city that had been transformed into a Wild West themed extravaganza.

“It was a big deal for the community,” said Larry Guth, who recalled that this year was the 25th anniversary of the event and unearthed news articles and flyers he’d kept from that time.

RAGBRAI passing through a city is a big deal for any community, but being selected as an overnight location is a rare honor. Guth, along with Yvonne Stevens and Jack Jenkins were co-chairs of the RAGBRAI committee back in 1993 when RAGBRAI came to stay the night. Jenkins and Guth had previously served on RAGBRAI committees years prior when RAGBRAI XII visited and Stevens offered the use of the Chamber of Commerce office to coordinate the day of activities.

“On behalf of the City of Clarion, I welcome you to our community for your third night out, and invite you to participate in the events we have planned for you,” wrote then Mayor Bernie Case in a letter to the visitors.

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