Knoxville LM Nationals alt activities

[Ron Burgundy]

Just curious.... what is there to do around town? Before you say drink...yes I know that's always an option.PS... I don't want anything to do with dirty mike and the boys

[zach51]

Slideways is up from the track to the North, that is always entertaining even if you aren't riding the karts. There is a casino up in Altoona that Snort and Sweet have been known to patronize. Decent place. Obviously, the sprint car hall of fame is a no-brainer, very neat place to visit. Best thing to do is just walk around and visit with folks, walk up to strangers and BS and make some life long friends.

[highgroove]

Red Rock state park is about 10 minutes away ...huge lake .. U can drive to the bottom of the dam...also the town of Pella just n/e of Knoxville is a cool little dutch settlement tourist town .. It has lots of windmills and speciality shops...also the home of Pella windows...

[RiffRaf67]

For the non-drinkers, SweetLeaf Glass shop is 2 doors down from the Dingus Lounge by the RR tracks. New Italian pizza joint in between the 2 that I highly recommend: (Andy) Corigliano's Pizzeria
Of course, Dingus Lounge and Peacetree brewery downtown for those that do drink. Heard that AJ bought Whackos on the east side and its a good place to grab a bite and a beer too.
Nice bike path around the north side of Red Rock lakes area that goes up into Pella.
(Edit: It is NOT flat, so be in decent shape to ride this any distance. Iowa is NOT flat!)

[chathamracefan]

Just went to Knoxville Nationals last weekend. If you like bbq, you must visit the Rib Shack. It is by the hall of fame & museum. Very good!!

[Tireguy17]

http://www.jaarsmabakery.com/ in Pella. The best bakery I have ever been to.

The Cordova Observation Tower by Lake Red Rock is pretty cool and a heck of a view.

[klemmabyna]

chathamracefan: "Just went to Knoxville Nationals last weekend. If you like bbq, you must visit the Rib Shack. It is by the hall of fame & museum. Very good!!"

No! stay away. it's already hard enough to get a table!

obviously kidding. we haven't missed lunch all three days since they opened. 4 rib basket with cheesy potatoes. I can't even cook ribs that good and I promise I have tried over and over and over.

guessing mr. c's has taken a hit. that's where we used to go. and still would for breakfast, but we don't get back out until 11:00 am these days.

same with the bakery (http://www.jaarsmabakery.com) mentioned by Tireguy17. just beware. you are going to buy way more than you need. but it won't go to waste.

[speedemon3b]

Somebody already mentioned the bakery in Pella but there are several great bakeries and meat markets on the square in Pella. Also even if you aren't a sprint car fan you have to check out the Sprint Car Hall of Fame and Museum. Also Slideways was brought up and they have just opened a dirt track as well as having mini golf on top of the slick kart track.

[vande077]

Here are some I would suggest (by no means all ecompassing) as a local

Knoxville

Eateries:
Rib Shack
Manny's Diner
One Eleven Public House
Red Rock Grille & Still
Casa Grande Mexican Restaurant
Main Street Market
Mr. C's (Rumor is that Jay is closing in August so it may not be open)
Wacko's

Pubs/Bars/Taprooms:
Peace Tree Brewing
Atlantic & Pacific Pub
Dingus

Entertainment:
Slideways Karting Center (go-karts on paved slick track and dirt track, miniature golf)
National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum
Grand Theater (movies)
Knoxville Recreation Center
Lake Red Rock Area (beaches, boating, jet skiing) - you can contact the Red Rock Marina to inquire about rentals (641-627-6493)

Pella

Eateries/Bakeries:
Jaarsma Bakery
VanderPloeg Bakery
George's Pizza
Pizza Ranch

Pubs/Bars:
The Cellar Peanut Pub

Entertainment:
Scholte Gardens
Pella Historical Village

[Ron Burgundy]

Thanks for the response... Definitely going to have to check them out. I was told to watch out for the pie lady. Not sure what they ment by that.

[huskerdirt]

Thanks for the response... Definitely going to have to check them out. I was told to watch out for the pie lady. Not sure what they ment by that.

The pie lady will get you. She drives around the campgrounds in an old dodge pickup selling pies and making small talk. She'll stop and say hello to make small talk, after a few minutes you will feel compelled to buy something. She has all kinds of goodies. It's not cheap, but it's all homemade and delicious.

Mr Cs is a yearly tradition for me. Absolutely one of best places to eat.

[Bashman]

The pie lady will get you. She drives around the campgrounds in an old dodge pickup selling pies and making small talk. She'll stop and say hello to make small talk, after a few minutes you will feel compelled to buy something. She has all kinds of goodies. It's not cheap, but it's all homemade and delicious.Mr Cs is a yearly tradition for me. Absolutely one of best places to eat.

We saw her all dolled up coming out of one of the Bakeries in Pella and get in to a very nice car (may have been a Mercedes). I'm not sure how legit she is, but I still end up buying from after a lot of beer before the races!

[ptown]

Vande, what's the latest on golf carts in town, can they be used from the campgrounds to go to restaurants or the supermarket?

[WisWildManFan]

Vande, what's the latest on golf carts in town, can they be used from the campgrounds to go to restaurants or the supermarket?

Stay sober on those!

[BTExpress]

I saw a few people pulled over on the street last week at the Knoxville Nationals in front of the Hy Vee driving their golf carts, so I do not think so????

[ptown]

Stay sober on those!

Thanks but I don't drink alcohol.

[RiffRaf67]

I believe the state law is NOT at all allowed on 14/Lincoln Street. Allowed to cross over it, but not on it.
Also not on sidewalk along there either.
otherwise, if you have a license, an orange flag and a slow moving vehicle triangle I think you are good to go on every other street in the city, per city law. Also, you will need insurance to get a fairgrounds pass.
Vande can confirm.

[vande077]

Riffraff is correct. Per state law you are only allowed to CROSS Highway 14 and golf carts are not permitted on sidewalks or city right of way (so essentially you have to drive on the side streets).

You must be a licensed driver, have the orange flag and slow moving vehicle triangle.

Must have proof of insurance on the golf cart at all times.

Any golf carts equipped with seat belts you must wear them (again, state law).

Only the # of people the cart is designed for may ride it (so if only one seat, only 2 people, if a front and back seat, only 4 people. Kids cannot ride on laps, they must be on the seat and no more than 2 people per seat). again, state law

The BIGGIE that most need to know: Can only be driven from Dawn until Dusk (so don't drive them to the track, you'll get a ticket on the way back to your camper). This is state law.

Follow all rules of the road just like driving a car, you run a stop sign, you're going to get a ticket.

DUI and other open container laws apply to golf carts as well, so keep that in mind.

This year's Sprint Car Nationals was probably the worst I've seen for idiots on golf carts. Numerous citations for driving on the sidewalk and highway 14 (racetrack even announced it multiple times per night through the week that you could not drive on highway 14 with a golf cart).

This is the current city codes regarding golf carts and UTV's:

5-1-5: DRIVING ON SIDEWALKS:linklink

The driver of a motor vehicle, as defined by the Iowa Code, shall not drive upon or within any sidewalk area except at a driveway, and shall not park any motor vehicle upon or within any sidewalk area. (Ord., 10-7-1974)

5-1-11: GOLF CART INSURANCE:linklink



A. Financial Responsibility: The owner of every golf cart being operated upon city streets and alleys shall have in effect liability insurance covering the golf cart in the same limits as required of automobiles by the financial responsibility provisions of chapter 321A of the code of Iowa.



B. Penalty: Any person who is found to have violated this section shall be subject to a fine of fifty dollars ($50.00) plus surcharge and costs. A court appearance shall not be required if the fine is paid in full prior to the date set for the person's court appearance. (Ord. 09-11, 5-18-2009)




5-1-12: OPERATION OF OFF ROAD VEHICLES:linklink



A. Definition: "Off road utility vehicle" means a motorized vehicle with four (4) nonhighway tires that is limited in engine displacement to less than one thousand five hundred (1,500) cubic centimeters and in total dry weight to not more than two thousand (2,000) pounds and that has a seat that is of bucket or bench design not intended to be straddled by the operator, a steering wheel or control levers for control, and is equipped with a bed or cargo box for hauling materials. Vehicles designed for the primary purpose of recreation, such as dune buggies and recreational side by sides, shall not fit this definition and are not allowed under this section. The chief of police shall have the final say on whether a vehicle meets this definition.



B. Operation Of Off Road Utility Vehicles:


1. Off road utility vehicles may be operated upon the public highways, streets, roads and alleys within the corporate limits of the city.


2. No off road utility vehicle shall be operated on any public highway, street, road or alley between sunset and sunrise. No off road utility vehicle shall be operated on any interstate highway, federal highway or state highway.


3. Every person operating an off road utility vehicle on the public highways, streets, roads and alleys of the city shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to a driver of a vehicle imposed by law. Any person who is found to have violated any established traffic law shall be subject to the fine plus surcharge and costs as established in the current compendium of scheduled violations and scheduled fines of Iowa for that violation.


4. All laws regarding the use of seatbelts and child restraints shall be obeyed.


5. No person may ride on an off road utility vehicle on any portion not designed to carry passengers. No person may stand on or ride in the cargo area of an off road utility vehicle while it is in motion.


6. No person under the age of eighteen (18) may operate an off road utility vehicle within the corporate limits of the city.



C. Valid Driver's License Required: No person shall operate an off road utility vehicle on any public highway, street, road or alley within the corporate limits of the city unless such person has a valid driver's license.



D. Display Of Slow Moving Vehicle Emblem: It shall be illegal to operate an off road utility vehicle on any public highway, street, road or alley within the corporate limits of the city unless such vehicle displays a slow moving vehicle emblem on the rear of the vehicle and a bicycle safety flag.



E. Insurance Required; Financial Responsibility: The owner of every off road utility vehicle being operated upon city streets and alleys shall have in effect liability insurance covering the off road utility vehicle in the same limits as required of automobiles by the financial responsibility provisions of chapter 321A of the code of Iowa.



F. Penalty: Any person who is found to have violated subsection B5, B6, D, or E of this section shall be subject to a fine of fifty dollars ($50.00) plus surcharge and costs. A court appearance shall not be required if the fine is paid in full prior to the date set for the person's court appearance.



G. Registration And License; Fee; Application; Inspection:


1. Before operating any off road utility vehicle on any public highway, street, road or alley within the corporate limits of the city and each calendar year thereafter, the vehicle shall be registered with the city and a license shall be obtained and placed on the work site utility vehicle. The license fee shall be twenty five dollars ($25.00) per calendar year, payable in advance to the police department. The full amount of the license fee shall be required regardless of the time of year that the application is made.


2. Application for registration of an off road utility vehicle shall be made by the owner, or owner's agent, at the Knoxville police department. The application shall be made upon forms provided by the city and each application shall contain the name of the owner, the owner's residence address, or bona fide place of business, and a brief description of the vehicle to be registered (including make, model and serial number). Proof of insurance, as required in subsection E of this section, shall be furnished at the time of application for registration.


3. Prior to the issuance of the registration and license, each applicant for an off road utility vehicle license shall first present such vehicle for an official inspection. If, upon inspection and completion of the registration application, such vehicle is found to be in safe mechanical condition, and upon establishing proof of insurance and payment of the fees herein provided, a license shall be issued to the owner who shall attach it to the vehicle. The license shall be displayed in such a manner as to be clearly visible from the rear of the vehicle. The license number on the application will be recorded and then filed in the police department. (Ord. 13-12, 10-21-2013)


5-1-14: GOLF CART SEATING REQUIREMENTS:linklink



A. Seats Required: The driver of every golf cart operated on any public street or right of way within the city of Knoxville is required to ensure that all passengers of the golf cart are seated on a seat designed for use in a golf cart. If the golf cart has a bench seat, no more than three (3) people shall be seated on it. No person shall be allowed to ride upon the lap of another person or in any portion of the golf cart not designed for seated passengers. If the golf cart has safety belts installed, all occupants shall use those belts.



B. Penalty: Any person who is found to have violated this section shall be subject to a fine of fifty dollars ($50.00) plus surcharge and costs. A court appearance shall not be required if the fine is paid in full prior to the date set for the person's court appearance. (Ord. 15-09, 7-20-2015)

[ptown]

Thanks, I don't want to mess with getting a license etc so the golf cart will stay at home.