JEFFERSON, Iowa, June 2, 2008 – At least 10 musical acts will be performing Saturday morning, June 7, along the Raccoon River Valley Trail, between Jefferson and Cooper in west central Iowa, for the fourth annual “Trails & Trills” bicycle ride, which is expected to draw cyclists from across the state.

The ride starts at 10 a.m. at the Jefferson Depot, and professional Christian singer Brenda Ashley, of Polk City, will be doing the National Anthem. 

A native of Anthon in northwest Iowa, she was a performer several years ago with the former State Fair Singers & Jazz Band, and her director there was Matt Schutt, a music teacher who lives in Jefferson.  Ashley continued her music studies at Northwest Missouri State University. An alto, she now performs in churches, women’s gatherings and other events across the Midwest.  She and her music manager Kim Bata are also launching a new side business, selling roasted and flavored almonds. “We’re calling it ‘Just a Couple Nuts,’ and we’re doing it as much for fun as for real business,” Bata said. They will be offering the nuts during the ride.

The cyclists will be sent on their way from the depot with a trumpet fanfare by Peg Semke and Wayne Lautner, of the local Town & Country Band.

The full Town & Country Band, a 25-piece ensemble of Greene Countians directed by Jen Martino, will be playing trailside in Cooper, while lunch is being served at the Cooper Way Station.

Musicians who will be performing at stops along the trail between Jefferson and Cooper include Joe Ellis, of Huxley, on trumpet; Larry Dowd, of Jefferson, on vocals and guitar; Dylan Naylor, Jefferson-Scranton High School senior, on piano at the trestle bridge over the North Raccoon River; JSHS seniors Ryan Peters and Stephen Fagg, on trumpet duets; Judy Von Ahsen, of Jefferson, oboe; Megan Kingery, JSHS junior, flute; and Bryanna Logsdon, JSHS senior, oboe.  Others may be added this week.

“Trails & Trills” is expected to draw 100 or more riders.  Those who have pre-registered include some coming from as far away as Sioux City. Registration and packet pick-up begins at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at the Jefferson Depot. The $20 fee includes the ride fee, a one-day trail pass, a T-shirt and lunch.

The ride is sponsored by the Raccoon River Valley Trail Association, the Committee for a Super Cooper and the Greene County Conservation Department.  The lunch by the Super Cooper group will feature beef burgers and local farmer Darrell Scheuermann’s legendary baked beans, and is open to the public for $4 per person.

The musicians all perform as the cyclists are pedaling the eight miles from Jefferson to Cooper, pausing during their ride to listen. Hence, the ride has become fondly known as “Iowa’s slowest and happiest bike ride.”  After lunch, most cyclists ride directly back to Jefferson.

Questions about the event can be directed to Carla and Chuck Offenburger, of Cooper, at (515) 386-5488 or info@raccoonrivervalleytrail.org. 

Article Published: 06-02-2008