The Fort Dodge RAGBRAI committee announced Friday that three stages will be set up along Central Avenue. The stages will feature local talent Cory Waller & the Wicked Things from 4 to 6 p.m., Salty View will be on the main stage from 6 to 8 p.m., and Lone Tree Revival will be rocking out on the stage at the City Square from 8 to10 p.m.

“Fort Dodge has a ridiculous amount of talented artists and musicians,” said Shelly Bottorff, RAGBRAI entertainment committee member. “I am most excited about being able to give people a sampling of our local music groups. We have decades of talent hitting the stages that evening. You’ll hear a variety of music from folk to funk, blues, pop, rock and just plain groovy fun, we pretty much have it all covered. We even have an Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Dean Davis, rocking out on the drums with Lone Tree Revival alongside several other local celebrities.”

Soldier Creek Winery will also host Chad Elliott from 6 to 8 p.m., and Amigos will have Tank Anthony on stage as well.

“If you hate fun, then this is not the place to be,” said Bottorff. “This is going to be a blast!”

Roger Netz

A beverage garden area will also be set up on Central Avenue from 12th Street down to the City Square. Tickets can be purchased for use within the beverage garden, and bars along Central Avenue will accept those tickets. Those drinks can be taken out of the establishments so that locals and RAGBRAI’ers can enjoy the entertainment and a beverage.

While RAGBRAI riders are enjoying musical entertainment, they’ll also be able to view artwork from area youth and adult artists. Windows up and down Central Avenue will be painted to welcome riders.

“Our goal is to have every window on Central Avenue painted to welcome riders and to highlight our great downtown district,” said Mary Kay Daniel, who is leading the charge for window painting. “We’re asking businesses to paint their store windows, and we’re looking for volunteers to help paint vacant storefronts.”

According to Daniel, volunteer artists helping with the vacant storefronts can be amateur or professional artists of any age. Main Street Fort Dodge will provide all approved window paints and supplies. All window painting must be completed by Sunday, July 25 as RAGBRAI riders will make their way into Fort Dodge the following day. Artists interested in helping to paint windows should contact Daniel at 515-573-3431 ext. 5.

The Blanden Memorial Art Museum is also hosting the RAGBRAI Kids Art Contest. Area children of all ages are encouraged to create a two-dimensional art piece that shows bicycle riders riding along the river with RAGBRAI. All art projects can be dropped off at the Blanden Memorial Art Museum during regular business hours. The deadline for submissions to the contest is July 9. All submissions must include the artist’s name, age, address, and contact telephone number.

Lone Tree Revival

Schedule

Roger Netz and Clint Riedel singing throughout Central Avenue from 2 to 4 p.m.

Cory Waller & the Wicked Things (stage located on Central, between 10th and 11th Streets) 4-6 p.m.

Mainstage Salty View (RAGBRAI’s Stage located on Ninth Street) 6-8 p.m.

Lone Tree Revival (Stage located in City Square) 8-10 p.m.

Corey Waller