DES MOINES, Iowa (April 6, 2023) – When RAGBRAI cyclists return to Iowa’s capital city for the first time in ten years, they’ll find the stage set for an epic, potentially record-breaking party. The theme for the Des Moines stop has been announced as Des Moines-apalooza – a nod to the communal experience and festival atmosphere of the ride, as it stops on July 26 for an overnight at Water Works Park.
The logo itself takes inspiration from the renowned Lollapalooza musical festival, with the Des Moines-apalooza font encased in a guitar shape, which is surrounded by a bike chain. The neck of the guitar is even shaped like the 801 Grand building, a subtle nod to the urban setting of the stop. Included within the logo is the tagline, “One epic ride. One epic party.”
The “epic” tagline is in reference to Des Moines’ race for the record, as the planned route from Ames to Des Moines hopes to break the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest single-day “parade of bicycles,” which is 48,615, set in Udine, Italy, in 2000. Race officials estimate that up to 100,000 riders could make the symbolic 50-mile trek.
Now celebrating its 50th year, this will be the sixth time that the famous bike ride has made its way to Des Moines, with previous stops in 1973, 1988, 1992, 1997, and 2013. It will highlight how much the region has shifted into overdrive over the past ten years, growing into one of the premier destinations in not just Iowa, but the Midwest.
Des Moines is no stranger to rolling out the red carpet for high profile sporting events, with Dew Tour and NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament being just two recent examples. RAGBRAI committee officials say there’s no better way to welcome the 50th anniversary of the state’s most iconic bike ride than with a party people will be talking about another 50 years from now.
In addition to the logo and theme, complimentary social media icons were also created, with supplementary banners and festival-style posters on the way. A website, RAGBRAIdesmoines.com, has been created and will include updates on housing info, maps, vendor forms, volunteer opportunities, area entertainment options, and more.
The Des Moines RAGBRAI planning committee includes Catch Des Moines, City of Des Moines, Greater Des Moines Partnership, Polk County, and Water Works Park Foundation.