Pedal to the Paranormal

CRESCO - The theme for RAGBRAI® XLV’s overnight stop in Cresco has been announced . . . Pedal to the Paranormal! 

It was announced during the Howard County Business & Tourism Banquet on Tuesday, April 11. A short video was shown featuring zombies, witches, vampires, ghosts and ghostbusters at notable places around Cresco, welcoming RAGBRAI® riders to town.

The video is available to view on www.crescochamber .com and the chamber Facebook page, as well as Cresco RAGBRAI® on Facebook. Check it out! 

Keri Schatz of the Publicity Committee commented, “It was so much fun to help shoot photos for the marketing committee’s video and to see so many familiar faces come together and get dressed up in scary costumes! We had a great group of zombies with impressive makeup skills, Count Dracula, Ghostbusters and Slimer, the A&W Root Bear and of course, ‘Jason’ on North Elm Street, to name a few! Everyone did an amazing job, and the video turned out fantastic thanks to Katie Ferrie’s very quick editing skills!”

All of the committees associated with the idea and logo and carrying out the theme are very excited to be part of a first-time subject of paranormal characters.

Katie Ferrie, who is on the Executive Board and head of Publicity, Hospitality and Info Center, exclaimed, “When we shared our theme with RAGBRAI® officials, the excitement was evident! They have never seen a theme like this, and their comment was that it was a right fit for the age of the riders and their personal interests and humor. They continued to say that Cresco will certainly stick out in the mind of riders as a creative, fun and welcoming place.”

“Having RAGBRAI® come through our community is so exciting! It’s fun to work with others who share that excitement as we prepare for the thousands of people from all over Iowa, the country and even the world. Help us showcase our great community. Make them want to come back and visit someday!” said Meagan Moellers, Community Ghostbuster!

Another Publicity Committee member and zombie construction worker, Sydney Gooder explained, “We planned on appealing to the demographics of the riding teams, and we know they are going to love it. It’s off the wall and a big part of the twenty- and thirty-something culture that will help create a strong memory of Cresco. Just watching the commercial alone gives a sense that our town is able to pull together resources, and all it takes is a little teamwork and creativity to keep a strong community!”

Jason Passmore of Howard County Business  & Tourism noted, “The Publicity and Hospitality Committees have really taken the lead on this. Their committee members are so excited to see the paranormal theme carried out.”

Now that the theme has been revealed, many of the other moving parts of the event will start progressing. Applications for food and vendors, housing and campgrounds will be available at www.crescochamber.com over the next few weeks.

T-shirts with the logo can be ordered from O’Henry’s Stitches and Prints and at Cresco Chamber. They can also be ordered online at the Chamber website. The back lists  all of the overnight stays on a tombstone.

“There are a lot of exciting things happening in the next few months as we get ready for our big day in July. Don’t be hesitant to ‘Pedal to the Paranormal’ with us, rather you should really join us! We need everyone’s support to help to make Cresco a great overnight stay on RAGBRAI® XLV,” noted Moellers.

Ferrie commented, “So many individuals are working now to plan, but more help is needed. If you can help ahead or on the day of, I encourage you to let Chamber officials know at 563-547-3434. We need everyone. This is our opportunity to show 20,000 plus riders that Cresco is a welcoming, fun and thriving town!”

CaLee Burke concluded, “Cresco is coming together and so excited to host RAGBRAI® 2017 overnight! We are ready to spread the word to anyone and everyone. Hope to see all of you out to celebrate with us on July 27, 2017!” Burke is also available to talk at any local organization to get the word out about RAGBRAI® happenings.