CEDAR RAPIDS (KWWL) -
Cedar Rapids isn't just an overnight stop. It's home to the RAGBRAI 40th anniversary celebration.
Wednesday morning crews started putting together the stage in front of the Alliant Energy Building.
It was one of the final things on the to-do list before RAGBRAI® riders pulled into town.
"We're ready to go, ready to welcome thousands of bicyclists to Cedar Rapids," said Jennifer Pickar, RAGBRAI Cedar Rapids Publicity Chair .
First Street isn't the only area of the city being transformed. Greene Square Park will play home to the Kids Zone. Ellis Park and a few others are serving as campgrounds to riders.
"We scoped around, literally, all over Cedar Rapids and said 'Where's the best turf?'" said Sandi Fowler, Cedar Rapids Representative to RAGBRAI. "Where's the best feel, lots of shade for these sunny days and we feel like we found those."
Cedar Rapids was chosen as the location for the RAGBRAI 40th anniversary celebration.
"They're going to honor all of those who've ridden all 40 years of the ride," said Pickar. There's a special video they've put together and a few other fun things that the crowd at the downtown concert tomorrow night will be a part of."
The event is more than a party for city officials.
It's a chance to show how far they've come since the 2008 flood.
"All the flood damaged properties we're having renovated across downtown and across the city, we wanted to make sure that those were in the best shape possible," said Fowler. "We know we're not done yet but I think it tells a great story."
KWWL will have live coverage from the heart of the action in Cedar Rapids on Thursday night and Friday morning. You can also share your favorite RAGBRAI moments with KWWL by emailing your photos to share@kwwl.com.
