By Wayne Kruse – OneMarysville
The Pony Express 120 Gravel Dash will bring hundreds of cyclists to Marysville on Saturday, September 12, and Camp Gravel Dash gives riders, families, visitors and local residents plenty to do throughout the weekend.
Activities begin Friday, September 11, and continue through Saturday with live music, museums, art, food, kids’ activities and several ways to explore Marysville.
Saturday also gives local residents a chance to be part of the Gravel Dash itself. As riders make their way back to Marysville throughout the day, people are encouraged to gather downtown and cheer them on as they return.
“Find the arch at Seventh and Broadway,” race director Mark Hoffman said. “That’s the finish line. We want people there making some noise and cheering for the riders as they come in. After spending the day out on those gravel roads, having a crowd there to welcome them back makes a difference.”
Camp Gravel Dash is the name tying together all of the activities happening around race weekend, making it an easy way to see everything happening beyond the race itself.
Camp Gravel Dash starts Friday with “From the Seat of a Bike,” a photography exhibition featuring WenDee Rowe at the Lee Dam Center for Fine Art. The exhibit is open from noon to 6 p.m.
Three of Marysville’s museums are also getting in on the weekend with Museum Bingo. From noon to 5 p.m., people can visit the Koester House Museum & Gardens, Marshall County Historic Courthouse and Pony Express Barn & Museum, complete their bingo card and win a prize. Cards may be picked up at participating museums or near the registration table at the Pony Express Barn and Museum.
Jake Kloefkorn will play live music at the Pony Express Barn and Museum from 3 to 6 p.m. The Historic Depot will host the Gravel Dash Spaghetti Dinner from 4:30 to 7 p.m., and s’mores will be served downtown from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Saturday’s activities start with the Farmers Market in the Seventh Street Corridor from 8 to 11 a.m.
The Pony Express Fun Ride gives kids ages 12 and younger a chance to get on their bikes, too, with registration at 8:30 a.m. and the ride at 9 a.m.
From there, people can make a day of it.
A 360 degree video booth will be downtown from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Parents As Teachers will have kids’ activities from 9 to 11 a.m. Woody Walstrom will lead a bird walk on the Blue River Rail Trail at 9 a.m., starting at the Jayhawk Road Trailhead.
At 10 a.m., Bruce Dierking will lead a historic walking tour beginning at Seventh and Broadway. The Marysville Public Library will lead friendship bracelet making at eMpTy Cup Coffee Bar and Bistro from 10 to 11 a.m.
The Historic Depot will be open for tours from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Museum Bingo continues at the Koester House, Historic Courthouse and Pony Express Barn and Museum during those same hours.
Live Circuit featuring Mike Wiegers will play downtown from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and April Spicer will lead an art activity at 11 a.m. under the tent across from 617 Broadway.
Rowe’s photography exhibition will also be open Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Members of the Evangelical United Church of Christ will serve ice cream downtown from 2 to 4 p.m.
Camp Gravel Dash activities are open to the community. For more information contact the OneMarysville office at 785-562-3101.
