BOONE, Iowa—Speaking at Monday’s regular city council meeting, several city leaders and Boone County Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Kris Blocker hailed Boone’s successful hosting of the RAGBRAI overnight stop as a testament to the months of planning, hundreds of volunteer hours and a strong partnership between the city, volunteers and community organizations.
Blocker began an update for councilmembers by recognizing the members of the bureau’s RAGBRAI planning committee, city staff and volunteers who helped prepare for and host thousands of cyclists and visitors. She specifically thanked the City of Boone, Police Chief John Wiebold, Public Works Director Waylon Andrews and numerous volunteers who dedicated the past six months to planning the event.
“I definitely feel like I really want to celebrate all of them,” Blocker said.
The 53rd annual week-long bicycle ride across the state stopped in Boone on its third day, resulting in an estimated 20,000 visitors overnighting in the city. “We’re very proud of what we got to showcase in Boone,” Blocker said.
Deeming the event as a tremendous success, Mayor Dave Casotti thanked Blocker, Fourth Ward Councilman Terry Moorman and others who spearheaded the effort, “I had a blast all day long,” Casotti said. “I can’t imagine all the volunteer work it took to pull that off. Thank you from the City of Boone.”
Councilwoman At-Large Linda Williamson, who welcomed the RAGBRAI riders who pitched 10 tents in her yard, said the visitors repeatedly complimented Boone’s hospitality. “The people that were staying with us were really positive about Boone and the reception they received,” Williamson said. “I think that goes a long way when they go back to their cities and states. Everybody seemed like they really had a good time.”
While reflecting on RAGBRAI, Blocker also highlighted several recent tourism initiatives undertaken by the BCCVB, including a new tourism billboard at Highway 30 and Story Street, a promotional television commercial produced in partnership with the City of Boone and Boone County Economic Growth Corporation, and the launch of a new TikTok account as part of the bureau’s strategic marketing plan. She also credited part-time marketing assistant Maggie Johnston, an Iowa State University student, with producing much of the BCCVB’s social media content. “We’re getting lots of eyes on that,” Blocker said of the bureau’s rapidly growing TikTok
audience.
Other recent projects include promotional postcards featuring six of Boone County’s top attractions, participation in the Ericson Public Library’s summer kickoff event with the bureau’s barrel train, and a visit from Iowa Economic Development Agency Director Debi Durham, who toured the Iowa Arboretum’s Treehouse Village.
The bureau has also partnered with Iowa State University Extension to develop new birding itineraries promoting Boone County as a destination for birdwatching enthusiasts. Blocker added that the popular Nights on the Green concert series continues to attract strong attendance throughout the summer.
(contributed press release)
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