How to Experience RAGBRAI in Winterset

RAGBRAI LI will be riding across the state July 20 – 27, 2024, starting in Glenwood and ending in Burlington. The 2024 route rolls through Greater Des Moines (DSM) and includes visits to cities like Greenfield and Indianola, while riders will be staying overnight in Winterset and Knoxville. Each community offers local hospitality and unique experiences for riders and locals to enjoy. Being a part of the oldest and longest multi-day bicycle touring event in the world is a point of pride for the host communities, and now 51 years in, the route has seen many cities more than once.

Riders last stayed in Winterset in 2019 and are ready to do it again this year as they prepare to be r up that hill, the largest climb of the ride, on Tuesday, July 23, 2024.

What to Expect at the Winterset Overnight Stop

Winterset is ready to host a memorable RAGBRAI experience for riders and locals. Riders will come into town on John Wayne Drive, riding past the John Wayne Birthplace & Museum and right up to the town square where they will have plenty of photo opportunities. All roads, except for the square, will remain open for locals and visitors to navigate the town freely and enjoy the festivities.

The main campground will be at the Winterset Aquatic Center, with other campgrounds designated at the Historical Museum, Elementary school and Madison County Fairgrounds for RVs and campers. Check out the official map, including camping, routes and closures courtesy of Winterset RAGBRAI, making the visitor experience easy.

Experiences at Winterset RAGBRAI

If you’re looking to enjoy the RAGBRAI festivities, head to the town square, where you’ll find the lawns of the Madison County Courthouse, local food vendors and entertainment. The Main Stage will be in the southwest corner of the square, at the intersection of N. 1st Avenue and West Court Avenue. Headlining the Winterset RABRAI’s entertainment is the Not Quite Brothers from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m., with additional performances by Standing Hampton, Jordan Beam and Neva Alden. Stage entertainment and beverage garden will open at 3 p.m., the last call is at 10:30 p.m. and everything on the square will end at 11 p.m.

Vendors will be in the downtown square too. Food will include Latin, Jamaican, Hawaiian, Mediterranean, Thai and BBQ. There will also be vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options along with beer, mixed drinks, lemonade, pie, ice cream, donuts and snow cones.

If riders love what they see in Winterset, they may purchase Winterset RAGBRAI shirts (shirts will be shipped to them) and stickers from the information centers.

The Local Experience

Rolling into Winterset early or wanting to stay late? Here are few quick things that you can see and do in Winterset:

• Take a trip to one of the covered bridges of Madison County or stop along the route to St. Charles to visit the Holliwell Covered Bridge or the Imes Covered Bridge
• Enjoy a glass of locally crafted wine at Covered Bridges Winery
• Check out the history of Winterset, including the birthplace of John Wayne Birthplace Museum or the Iowa Quilt Museum
• Visit the Winterset murals, located on the east side of the square and down the alley
• Explore the Winterset City Park, which includes a hedge maze, the Culter-Donahue Covered Bridge, Bennett Cabin and Clark Tower.

Find out even more about things to do in Winterset and the surrounding area by reading out “Take a Day Trip to Madison County, Iowa” blog post.

Greenfield RAGBRAI Highlights

The City of Greenfield will be selling t-shirts highlighting their logo, with funding going directly to their ongoing tornado recovery from the recent storm season. You can purchase the t-shirts through Wednesday, July 10, 2024 online, and there will be a limited quantity available during the day of the ride. The Warren Cultural Center will host adaptive riders and media professionals throughout the day and a new exhibit outlining this year’s storm season’s recovery process. Additionally, support local businesses participating on the route like NV Greenfield and Moe’s RBF throughout the way. Follow Greenfield Ragbrai 2024 on Facebook for updates on those participating.

How to Get Involved

Winterset is looking for over 200 volunteers to help with various tasks including directing traffic, delivering ice, answering questions and working at the beverage garden. Volunteers may sign up on the Winterset RAGBRAI website to choose which tasks and times they are interested in.

The annual RAGBRAI events are a great opportunity to explore the cities throughout our region and support our local communities throughout the region. Make sure to look at the full RAGBRAI route to learn more about the 2024 event and how you can support riders and businesses throughout the route.

The Greater Des Moines Partnership calendar of events is a one-stop resource for activities taking place throughout the region. Find networking information for Greater Des Moines (DSM) businesses, including Chamber luncheons, roundtables and ribbon cuttings. You can also find live music happening each week thanks to the “Live Music This Week in DSM” blog series.

Whether it’s a morning on the lake or an evening spent exploring Greater Des Moines’ (DSM’s) 800 miles of connected recreational trails, the region has many outdoor options. Don’t miss seeing the High Trestle Bridge, Terra Park or Principal Riverwalk — with attractions like Lauridsen Skatepark or the Robert D. Ray Asian Garden — all along walkways throughout the region.