Hokey-Pokey on down to Pocahontas

Mon, Jul 26, 2010 | by RAGBRAI

Pocahontas — A troupe of youth in this town tried to organize RAGBRAI’s largest Hokey-Pokey street dance Monday morning.

Eight Pocahontas high school students and recent graduates lined up atop the bed of a semi to try and lead thousands of bicyclists flying down Main Street of the town they affectionately refer to as “Poky” in the classic dance and song.

Every 20 minutes, 18-year-old Michael Phillips got on the microphone to announce another chance for bystanders to participate in the momentous event.

“I don’t know if you guys have heard of it, but it’s kind of self-explanatory. The song kind of tells you what to do,” Phillips said in response to the skeptical gazes.

For those really up for a challenge, Phillips suggested replacing the traditional hands and feet with bike tires, helmets, water bottles, backpacks or shoe clips.

The crew on the semi bed, many show choir veterans, stuck with the traditional lyrics, waving their arms, legs and behinds.

Eighteen-year-old Brad Ollinger plastered a big grin on his face as he jumped around to the music.

“I’ve grown used to dancing in front of large groups of people,” Ollinger said.

Still, even he had to laugh at the Hokey-Pokey routine.

“I didn’t think we were serious about doing it until (Phillips) actually asked me to do it,” he said.

While the group didn’t have much luck getting the riders to join in on the fun, they did recruit fellow high school graduate, Jarrod Schott, 20, to join them on the stage.

“I thought it would be pretty fun,” Schott said. “And it’s hard to say no to these guys.”

-Cynthia Reynaud

Pocahontas, RAGBRAI

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