Protivin cycles up for RAGBRAI®

Protivin - In just eight days, there will be an invasion in northeast Iowa. It’s made up of RAGBRAI® riders and their support teams. Over 20,000 to be exact. RAGBRAI® is limited to 8,500 week-long riders and over 1,500 day-riders, although there will be possibly another 5,000 unregistered riders and some support personnel, as well. Protivin, the last stop before day five overnight stop in Cresco, is gearing up for a deluge of riders.

The small city has big plans that will bring attention to this historically Czech settlement and those include traditional Czech food, a Bratwurst King and Queen, a Pivo King and Queen and shuttle rides to the Norman Borlaug Farm.

Food and Refreshments

It would be hard to recall an organized event in Protivin that didn’t include the delicious fruit-filled pastry . .  the kolache. Bakers have been busy in the local kitchens and have made 250 dozen for the event. The Protivin Locker will be getting all those brats ready as well. Throw in some Iowa ribeye sandwiches and hot dogs and riders can fill their engines for the ride to Cresco.

Want to cool down? Pivo (beer) will be available as well as craft beers and lemonade.

Vendors will be offering slushies, Italian ice, frozen fruit bars, frozen candy, walking tacos, sandwiches, with lots more options available.

The Protivin Locker will have RAGBRAI®-themed t-shirts for sale, in addition to smaller “to go” packages of jerky, cheese curds and hot sticks. Tours available upon request.

Activities & Entertainment

Entertainment will be available under the big tent on the Holy Trinity Church grounds as well as a beer garden. The Protivin Fire Department will also host waterball. 

Interested in Iowa history and a Nobel Peace Prize winner? The Czech Heritage Foundation will be hosting shuttle bus rides to the Norman Borlaug farm just west of Protivin.

If registered riders are looking to be considered royalty, they may want to vie for the opportunity to be crowned either Pivo King or Queen or Brat King or Queen. Official riders are free to put their name in the drawing for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Must be present to win, with drawing held at 4:30 p.m.

Brat Queen &  King will win half a hog and the Pivo Queen & King will win gift certificates to The Mint and The Place. Registration will be available at various locations in town. Additional drawings will take place throughout the day.

Riders are scheduled to be out of Protivin by 5 p.m., so come early and spend the afternoon. “Czech” Protivin out for RAGBRAI XLV, July 27.