With their destination a world free of multiple sclerosis, about 800 riders of The Ride Across Minnesota, known as the MS TRAM, will descend on International Falls the afternoon of July 14 and spend the night.

With an entourage of at least 200, the community should plan to host about 1,000 people before all embark the next morning on a 280-mile journey from the Canadian border through northern Minnesota’s evergreens and along the North Shore of Lake Superior to Duluth.

International Falls Chamber of Commerce President Faye Whitbeck advises that Borderland shop owners may want to consider being open that Sunday when hundreds of riders with a median age of 51 reportedly will spend a collective $45,000 in each of their host communities along the way: International Falls, Orr, Chisholm, Biwabik, Two Harbors and Duluth. Likewise, management at area restaurants should take notice they could be very busy and may need extra staff that Sunday, she added.

Arriving to the Falls by bus from Duluth, about half of the cyclists will be camping in Smokey Bear Park and the other half will use local lodging. The TRAMMERs’ “wheels” will arrive separately via semi-truck to be unloaded by local musclemen in an assigned area of the park.

Notified earlier this year by MS Event Coordinator Aaron Briner, Pete Schultz of the area’s Convention and Visitors Bureau and Whitbeck have since been processing TRAM’s request to begin the annual ride from International Falls. A handful of local leaders and the city of International Falls stepped forward to handle the coordination of park preparation, entertainment, food vending, printing needs, unloading and loading, shuttling and information stations.

Set ups in Smokey Bear Park will include food service offered by Lenard’s Restaurant and the Lions Club, as well as a beer garden and live entertainment in the Pete Peterson Band Shell by Sloughgrass Band and Faith & the Believers. A welcome message and other remarks will be offered in the park by Falls Mayor Bob Anderson and TRAM officials.

Some of the bicyclists are enlisted to take one of two 45-minute Rainy Lake boat tours offered aboard the 49-passenger Voyageur by Voyageurs National Park. Schultz and Whitbeck said they hope this sampling of Borderland’s stunning lake-scape will bring vacationing families back to the area.

A central information booth will be stationed in Smokey Bear Park where area information, cell-phone charging, drinking water stations and other assistance will be offered throughout the visit. Portable toilets, a shower truck and other rider amenities will also be stationed in the park. Local citizens should note that parking around Smokey Bear Park will be reserved.

Shuttle service will be offered throughout the evening and on the morning of July 15 when the cyclists begin The Ride Across Minnesota. Coordinated signage will mark the community.

A printed schedule of information for the event, produced by Voyageurs National Park, will be available. More information on the MS TRAM is available at the Chamber or CVB, 283-9400.