You may have seen the tribute to the Armed Services on Arsenal Island last weekend; it was filled with family activities such as a 5 K run called Run the Rock and culminated in a spectacular fireworks display over the Mississippi River. Now, with Father’s Day near and the desire of the Garrison’s Office on the Arsenal to host another holiday alongside the 250th Anniversary of the US Army, River Action has the opportunity to issue this Invitation:
To all civilians out there: “Your service has been requested for a top-secret mission called “Ride the Island”. Report to Staging Area at the Quad City Times on Sunday, June 15th . Bring your bike and be prepared to engage in an intense discovery operation from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Please notify River Action if you will be in attendance on this mission by registering at riveraction.org/RTI or call 563-322-2969. River Action can send a map, as well.”
Yes, you can see this is a twist on the QC Father’s Day tradition: Ride the River. Join us on June 15th for the opportunity to ride the trails of the Rock Island Arsenal while exploring its rich history and visiting iconic landmarks. Enjoy a fun-filled day with live music, a cookout, and activities for all ages .
Two bike repair stops are available that day. Base Camp, you will discover, is at Memorial Park, and there will be volleyball, horseshoes, croquet, bag toss, tug-of-war, and a splash pad there.
Riders are encouraged to stop along the 10-mile loop at 12 beautiful, interactive Arsenal Island sites to visit and receive a star for individual license plates. A completed plate with 12 stars makes one eligible for prizes at the end of the day.
Have you ever wanted to see the interior of the historic Colonel Davenport House on the river? This is your opportunity to see it free of charge. Quarters One will be open as well as four other historic buildings offering free admission. We hope to see veterans and civilians alike on Ride the Island, Father’s Day, June 15th.