Tama County Economic Development Executive Director Katherine Ollendieck addressed the crowd at the Reinig Center in Toledo during a community meeting about RAGBRAI last Thursday night. PHOTO BY MICHAEL D. DAVIS

The RAGBRAI community meeting went off without a hitch last Thursday, April 13, except for the occasional problem with the Zoom feed of the beverage man.

The ’70s will be the vibe of July as RAGBRAI celebrates its 50th year, with a stop in town. Volunteers, if not adorning the official RAGBRAI T-shirt, will be encouraged to break out their funkiest, most freaky deaky threads, or else they may get the ol’ hairy eyeball. The throwback feel will keep Tama-Toledo copacetic as those psychedelic cyclists boogie on into town.

A flurry of subjects were discussed during the two hour long meeting; one was volunteers. The Toledo Area Chamber of Commerce made it known that volunteers are needed more than a squirrel needs nuts.

Around 900 locals are wanted to help out for the July 27 RAGBRAI overnight stay, and nearly 300 volunteers are needed for the beer tent alone. Anyone who wishes to enlist in the aid brigade can simply go to the Tama-Toledo RAGBRAI website, where there is a diverse allotment of positions and time slots open.

Whether you would want to run ice for the beer tent or sit on a public bus to answer questions and give directions, there are plenty of positions available.

Toledo Mayor Brian Sokol and the rest of the Tama-Toledo Chamber of Commerce discussed RAGBRAI during a community meeting last Thursday. PHOTO BY MICHAEL D.DAVIS

Another option locals have to help out is by becoming a host home. With the influx of people this July, the Chamber of Commerce is seeking anyone with a yard willing to have a tent pitched in it. Providing access to a bathroom or a shower is up to the owner of the host home.

You can sign up to house on your property any number of cyclists that you see fit. Sign up early and a registered RAGBRAI rider will be assigned to your location.

It is being planned for an extra 30 law enforcement officers to be brought in for the day. As well, four first aid tents and six transport units will be prepared for the day.

For public transit, buses will travel on four different routes planned out by Steve Chyma, the South Tama County Schools Transportation Manager.

The majority of the meeting was spent on the subject of vendors, from restaurants to stands set up in Toledo Heights Park and around Tama-Toledo. Advertising fees, vendor fees, clean-up deposits, and the like all need to be in by the first of June for the vendors. Tama County businesses will have the opportunity after RAGBRAI to fill out a form to receive a partial refund of their vendor’s fee from the Tama Economic Development Committee.

Sara Reece with the Department of Inspections and Appeals talked to vendors about licensing and requirements for preparing and serving food. She also showed the proper way to wash dishes with the three bucket system for vendors.

Reece will also be out on the 27th to do spot inspections. Nathan Beyer from the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division attended via Zoom to answer any and all questions relating to the serving of alcoholic beverages.

Visit www.tamatoledoragbrai.com/ for more information.