Dear RAGBRAI Participants,

As Mayor of Dubuque and on behalf of the City Council and our 60,000 residents, I extend a warm welcome to all RAGBRAI participants! We are thrilled to serve as the final destination for RAGBRAI this year, and we look forward to hosting you as you complete your ride.

As Iowa's oldest community, Dubuque is considered the birthplace of Iowa so we believe that no tour of Iowa is complete without a visit to the "Masterpiece on the Mississippi." We have experienced an amazing revitalization of our riverfront and historic downtown, and exciting expansion to the west since RAGBRAI last visited our community.

We look forward to sharing The America's River Project at the Port of Dubuque, a multiphased $400-million investment in our city and a true success story! The Port of Dubuque is a 90-acre, former industrial area that has been transformed into a recreational and educational hub for the region. With further development planned, the attractions completed to-date include the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium (a Smithsonian affiliate), the Grand Harbor Resort & Waterpark, the Dubuque Star Brewery (home to Stone Cliff Winery and the Star Restaurant & Ultra Lounge), Diamond Jo Casino and Entertainment Complex, the Grand River Center, the Alliant Energy Amphitheater, and the picturesque Mississippi RiverWalk. We also invite you to take some time to enjoy all the amenities of the nearby historic Main and Bluff Streets as well.

In 2007, Dubuque was honored to be selected by the National Civic League as an All-America City. Our community was also recognized by the America's Promise Alliance in 2007 and 2008 as one of the 100 Best Communities for Youth. In 2008, the U. S. Conference of Mayors chose Dubuque as the #1 Most Livable Small City in the nation! We pride ourselves on extending to our visitors an array of opportunities to experience our City's rich history, interesting architecture, and natural beauty. In addition to the many attractions in the Port of Dubuque, our city features award-winning restaurants, charming shops, elegant turn-of-the-century homes, and much more.