Fairfield was an overnight town for RAGBRAI 2013, Friday, July 26th.

Booths and food vendors are set up on the square.

Early arrivals.

Just some of the entertainment that is being prepared.

Or you can just rest....

William Henry Coop was the first pioneer settler born in Jefferson County (1836). He and his young friend have been sitting in Central Park since 1981 (sculpted by Christopher Bennet).

More vendors set up on Main St.

A bike washing station provided by a vendor, in front of the Courthouse.

A contest was held on the Courthouse lawn Friday at about 6pm - Guinness World Records certified that our attempt at the record for the most false mustaches worn at a public event was reviewed, verified, and is now official!  About 2200 people wore mustaches for 6 minutes to beat a record set at Grand Rapids, MI.  It was reported as one of the highlights by RAGBRAI riders.

Later in the evening, more people arrive on the square.

A group of young people, part of the Peru Amateur Circus from Indiana, put on a show.

The popular Beer Garden opens.  Entrance is through the gazebo.

Most of the riders have arrived by now.  In all, about 23,000 people arrived here on Friday.

Saturday morning the riders head south to beat the heat, 6:03AM.

They are serenaded as they leave (next to the Maasdam Barns).

7:55am, the sun is rising behind the mist.

They just keep coming, down Hwy 1 from the square.  About 10,000 riders, maybe more.

8:36am, some stop here for a quick breakfast.

This giant bicycle was made here for the 1997 RAGBRAI, when Fairfield was an overnight town, so was displayed again.

Photos by Jeff Fitz-Randolph, July 26, 27, 2013

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