Joni Ernst hosts event to kick off summer

 United States Sen. Joni Ernst will host her first ever Roast and Ride event this Saturday. 

The event will begin at Big Barn Harley-Davidson in Des Moines at 11 a.m. Motorcyclists will ride from the Harley-Davidson store to the Central Iowa Expo in Boone, where the roast will begin. 

“The focus of the ride is to honor our veterans and patriots,” Ernst said. 

The roast will include food and drinks at no additional cost. There will also be “backyard games” such as horseshoes and a beanbag toss. 

The event will also feature live music by Iowa band The Nadas. 

Seven presidential candidates have been confirmed to appear at the event, at which they will each speak and visit with attendees. 

Ernst will host GOP hopefuls Ben Carson, a retired neurosurgeon, former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio from Florida, former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker. 

Each candidate will speak at the event and have a tent set up for meet and greets. 

Ernst will also host Gov. Terry Branstad, Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, US Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR).

Ernst said all activities at the event will be fun and family-friendly, but she is looking forward to the motorcycle ride the most. 

“I think [the motorcycle ride is] going to be fun,” Ernst said. “With my  schedule, I don’t get to ride very often, so doing that and supporting our veterans [will be special].”

The senator is also looking forward to seeing all Iowans in one place. She went on her 99-county tour, where she visited people in all counties in the state, but she’s never been around them all at once. 

“Seeing everyone all at once, all together, at the same time will be a very special part of my day,” Ernst said.

Ernst said the event will be a fun day for everyone and encourages those who can to come out. 

“I just want to encourage everyone to come out and enjoy the day, where you can meet so many people in one place,” Ernst said. 

Tickets are $30 for adults and $12 for children 12 years and under. They can be purchased at jonipac.com.