Monroe1Monroe is home to 1,830 citizens that reside “At the Crossroads” of the intersection of Highway 163 and Highway 14.  Monroe is centrally located between Newton, Knoxville, and Pella and is only a short drive to Des Moines making it the perfect locations for this year’s RAGBRAI’s Last Brake Before the Lake.

It has been 21 years since RAGBRAI has experienced the endless “Achy Breaky Heart” line dancing on the square.  After the dust had settled and the front tires dipped into the Mighty Mississippi, Monroe was voted the best pass-through town back in 1992.  Throughout time history has repeated itself and this year is no exception.  It has gotten so heated in Monroe we have had to call in the Monroe Fire Department to put out the flames.  This year the MFD will be hosting the notorious beverage garden to cool off the riders as they enjoy the music provided by Jam Time D.J. Productions. After you get your second wind, get your team together and challenge the enemy to an old fashion dual of a water fight.  That’s right, plan to throw on the gear and grab the nozzle to see if you have what it takes to be a RAGBRAI fireman or firewoman.

So as you apply the brakes and jump off of the saddle in Monroe, prepare yourself for an adventure.  We have intentionally left the public square park open for the riders to enjoy the music from the band, Pie in the Sky along with some additional local entertainment.  Don’t worry about being too far away from the food vendors as they will be set up on the north side of the square with easy access to the park.  We have an array of vendors, so plan to stop by the Monroe Kiwanis stand for ribeye steak sandwich and a piece of your favorite pie from All About Pie’s.  You will also find that the PCM Class of 2015 will be providing Iowa’s World Famous Sweetcorn on a Stick.  Without a doubt, I am positive that you will find something to satisfy your appetite before getting back on the saddle.

So after you have earned the title of an unofficial RAGBRAI Fireman or firewoman; enjoyed a cold refreshing beverage; left behind a few pie crumbs; don’t forget to stop by the Jersey Freeze and milk “The Jersey Cow” on your way out of town.  Jersey Freeze has become a landmark in Monroe as people from all around stop in for an ice cream treat.

Over the years, the riders seem to take center stage, but in Monroe we also want to thank the men and women of the various support teams dedicated to make sure their riders reach their destination.  With that being said, the Gateway Recreation Golf Course will be offering a special rate for a round of golf with a cart for those folks who can fit in a round.

If you think the RAGBRAI festivities look like a fun adventure, then plan to return to Monroe on August 8th – 10th as we celebrate Old Settlers and the Fireman’s Frolic.  This year the Monroe Fire Department will be celebrating their 100th year as a Volunteer Fire Department.  They have planned to host an array of events, including an evening parade and dance; a rodeo; a truck and tractor pull to name a few.  So if you enjoyed your stay on RAGBRAI, plan to re-join us again for the Monroe Old Settlers and Fireman’s Frolic in August.

To keep up to date with the Monroe RAGBRAI festivities, visit us at www.monroeragbrai.com or find us on Facebook at Monroe RAGBRAI. So until we slow down for the Last Brake Before the Lake, stay thirsty my friends.

To keep up to date with the Monroe RAGBRAI festivities, visit us at www.monroeragbrai.com or find us on Facebook at Monroe RAGBRAI. So until we slow down for the Last Brake Before the Lake, stay thirsty my friends.

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