Story Starters

50th Anniversary Knoxville Nationals, Knoxville

This annual sprint car event will celebrate its 50th anniversary August 11-14. The championships feature more than 100 teams from the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Knoxville, known as the “Sprint Car Capital of the World,” is also home to the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and Museum. It is the world’s only museum dedicated to preserving the history of “big car” and sprint car racing.

[+] Enlarge Photo        Map It

RAGBRAI, Statewide

The Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) is a seven-day bicycle ride across the state held in late July. It is the longest, largest and oldest touring bicycle ride in the world. Riders traditionally dip their back tire in the Missouri River to start and dip their front tire in the Mississippi River to finish. This year’s route takes riders along the northern part of the state, starting in Sioux City and ending in Dubuque. The route is said to be one of the flattest and shortest routes in RAGBRAI history.

[+] Enlarge Photo        Map It

Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor and Museum Moving

The Parlor and Museum will move from their current Hwy 75 location to Downtown LeMars in 2011. Wells’ Dairy history will still be prominently displayed, with various exhibits and photos throughout the parlor. Design plans call for several enhancements to the “old fashioned” ice cream parlor décor including an outdoor seating area as well as a large meeting and party room.

[+] Enlarge Photo        Map It

Wailua Kapua at Lost Island Waterpark

The park’s newest attraction (Hawaiian for “River Dragon”) is one of only two hydromagnetic watercoasters with ride-up conveyors in the United States. Riders will fly around turns and plummet down drops on the more than 950-foot-long coaster before accelerating uphill four separate times. The ride opened in June. Lost Island is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.
(Photo courtesy of Lost Island.)

[+] Enlarge Photo        Map It

Art Installation in Council Bluffs

In 2004, Council Bluffs created a community-driven master planning process for public art, guided by Iowa West Public Art, an initiative of the Iowa West Foundation. This plan was a catalyst for making art a part of everyday life here; more than 50 sites have been designated for public art throughout the city of Council Bluffs. In August 2010, sculptor Albert Paley will install a magnificent $3 million gateway to Iowa. Travelers on I-80 will be able to see the four enormous sculptures from miles away. In Paley’s words, the sculptures will be “unforgettable skyscrapers of the plains,” the only gateway like it in the country.

[+] Enlarge Photo        Map It

Sunrise Cottages, Storm Lake

The City of Storm Lake will open four spacious cottages near King's Pointe Resort in early August. Perfect for family reunions and vacations, the cabins fit nine comfortably, with the option to choose from three different layouts. The Sunrise Cottages are in an ideal location, just 500 yards from the resort and within walking distance of fishing, boating and other recreational activities on the lake.

[+] Enlarge Photo        Map It