News Flash

 For Immediate Release: 12/16/2020

For more information contact: 

Keri Navratil

712-732-8000

Navratil@stormlake.org

After much consideration, and after compiling input from our RAGBRAI Advisory Board, volunteers, local law enforcement, local health officials, and school officials, Storm Lake has made the difficult decision to not host the 2021 RAGBRAI. 

While we were excited to be chosen as an overnight stop for 2020, we are facing hurdles in 2021 that include strain on local essential workers, an uncertain time frame for COVID-19 vaccinations, and uncertainty over continued infection rates from the virus.

Additionally, concerns exist with having adequate housing for riders as there is a reluctance to host individuals in private homes or school facilities.  A lack of housing is a difficult aspect to manage to ensure success for this event.

Further, planning needs to start now for the event.  The ongoing issues surrounding the pandemic make it is impossible to begin that process in a timely manner.  Local RAGBRAI volunteers are continuing to focus their efforts at their respective work locations during this difficult time.

Lastly, fundraising is a significant piece to successfully hosting RAGBRAI.  With the continuing economic impacts on everyone in the community, asking for money from anyone at this time is a significant request to make.

Considering all of the factors to ensure a successful event, we must carefully and thoughtfully make this difficult decision to withdraw from hosting in 2021.  As a community, we look forward to hosting RAGBRAI in the future when we are able to put “our best foot forward” for the riders, support crews, charter groups, vendors, and the community.  

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