American Discovery 250 Relay to pass through La Porte City and Brandon Oct. 3
It's bigger than RAGBRAI, and it's coming through La Porte City.
A coast-to-coast relay celebrating America’s 250th anniversary is scheduled to travel through La Porte City and Brandon on Saturday, October 3.
The American Discovery 250 Relay will follow the Cedar Valley Nature Trail from Waterloo toward Cedar Rapids. The organizer’s turn-by-turn directions show the route crossing Eighth Street in La Porte City, continuing past the McFarlane Park trailhead about two miles east of town and then passing through Brandon. A refreshment stop is planned at McFarlane Park, though the organizer has not listed a time for that stop.
The day’s bicycle leg begins at Veterans Memorial Hall in Waterloo. Organizers list a send-off there at 8 a.m. and a ride start at 8:30 a.m. The route ends at Greene Square Park in Cedar Rapids, where a welcome event and ceremonial baton handoff are scheduled for 4 to 5 p.m. There is no published arrival time for La Porte City or Brandon.
Participants in the American Discovery Trail Society’s relay are carrying a copy of the Declaration of Independence across the country. The journey began in California in July and is scheduled to end at the Atlantic Ocean on Thanksgiving. The society says the relay celebrates the nation’s history and the trail; it is not a race.
Residents can watch along the trail or sign up to join a segment. Participation is free, but registration is required. The organizer’s October 3 route, updates and sign-up information are available at https://discoverytrail250.org/RelayDayMap.php?date=2026-10-03®ion=North . Anyone planning to meet the relay should check the organizer’s page again before heading out, since route and timing details can change.