First the parade, then the rides
By Holly Neumann
After seeing pedicabs while on a biking trip to Europe, Greg Loescher, Iola-Scandinavia Chamber of Commerce president, started doing some research to bring them to the area.
He met David and Chris Richards of Oshkosh.
“I met Chris back in December at the inaugural Oshkosh Herd basketball game at the new arena there,” he said. “After the game I got into the cab and talked to her about biking in general and coming to Iola with their pedicabs to do some of our events, such as Iola Historical Society’s Strawberry Fest, Tastes and Tunes, the Corn Roast and Taste of Norway.”
Loescher took Dave around on a tour of Iola and Scandinavia last spring.
“They both also cross-country ski and have been to Iola Winter Sports Club in the past, as well as a trip this April during our epic snowfalls,” Loescher said. “Since they do other events such as the EAA and Packers games, the first I-S option for them was the corn roast.”
And that is just what they did.
“I thought it would be cool for them to be in the parade as part of the Scandinavia Booster Club’s float and be the storage cabs for the commemorative 50th Anniversary of the Scandinavia Corn Roast cowbells we handed out,” he said.
The Richards loved the experience.
“We do special events like weddings, birthday parties, concerts and Packer games of course,” said Chris. “So coming to Scandinavia only seemed natural.”
What they enjoy the most about what they do is talking to people and getting out and about in area communities.
“This was a lot of fun,” Chris said. “The crowd was great, the weather was great.”
“Everyone is so friendly,” Dave said.
The duo handed out commemorative cow bells to parade goers as they rode by.
“The only down fall, was we were in the parade line-up right behind the horses,” Chris said. “But we were able to maneuver around those obstacles.”
The couple has been running pedicabs from 16 years now and plans on continuing as long as they can into the future.
In addition to returning to the Corn Roast in future years, Loescher said the Richards are already lined up for the Santa Parade in Iola this December.