RAGBRAI > Vendors & Local Businesses
VENDOR APPLICATION
VENDOR APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED
2024 FAIRFIELD VENDOR INFORMATION PACKET & APPLICATION
- Get on the Map: Secure your spot on our exclusive map highlighting downtown vendors and restaurants for just $100. Fill out the form here and make your payment; https://form.jotform.com/241724934965164
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You do NOT have to be on the map in order to be open and serving that day. However, the map will be distributed to the riders ahead of the day to help them plan where they want to go - a big plus for your eatery!
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Sidewalk Sales: Extend your food & drink offerings right in front of your restaurant (up to 4 ft), but remember, no alcohol sales on the sidewalk. Please so not block the entire sidewalk. If you are not going to be on the map, there is a $50 fee to be on the sidewalk. https://form.jotform.com/241725336184154
- Special Menus: Craft a unique menu featuring rider-friendly bites like sliders and sides—perfect for a quick, satisfying stop.
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Timing is Key: Alcohol sales pause between 1:30 - 2:00 PM, but keep those sliders sizzling! Our agreement with RAGBRAI has us closing down ALL alcohol sales at 1:30. This will help organizers get the riders to their next stop and still have access to RAGBRAI services. Highway patrol will be going around to make sure this is enforced.
Get our success tips here: Success Tips For RAGBRAI Restaurants; Saddle Up, Fairfield! Show RAGBRAI Cyclists Why You’re The Town’s Favorite Pit Stop.
NEWS RELEASE: May 1, 2024; Fairfield RAGBRAI Committee Hosts Vendor Meeting to Prepare for Arrival of Cyclists
May 1, 2024;Fairfield is gearing up to welcome the cyclists of RAGBRAI, and local businesses and nonprofits are invited to join the Fairfield RAGBRAI Committee for a vendor meeting on Thursday, May 9th at 7 pm. The meeting will be held at the Fairfield Public Library, located at 104 W. Adams.
The meeting will feature Rose Haukedahl from the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals, who will provide crucial insights into the requirements and regulations for successful vending, particularly focusing on meeting state health codes. Given recent changes in food handling protocols, Haukedahl's expertise will prove invaluable. For instance, attendees will learn that serving slices of pie on paper plates is no longer permissible; instead, it must be served in clamshell containers.
Rachel Brown and Margie Goehring, co-chairs of the Fairfield RAGBRAI Vendor Committee, will also be present to address questions and distribute vendor applications. They emphasize the importance of offering a diverse array of food options to cater to the riders' needs, especially considering Fairfield's role as the lunch stop on July 26th, when the majority of cyclists will be passing through between 10 am and 1:30 pm.
Brown and Goehring expressed their enthusiasm for the upcoming meeting, stating, "This meeting will be instrumental in setting up vendors for success. It's not just about making sales; it's about providing an experience for the riders and ensuring they have the fuel they need to continue their journey."
Vending at RAGBRAI is not only enjoyable but also lucrative for local businesses and nonprofits, provided they plan appropriately. As Fairfield serves as the halfway point between Ottumwa and Mount Pleasant on one of the longest and hilliest legs of the ride, the needs of the cyclists and their support teams differ from those of overnight stops. The committee will discuss strategies for offering suitable portion sizes and food types tailored to the demands of a mid-ride meal.