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Mallard Today
By the People, for the People
Pony Express Riders Gear Up for Annual Fundraiser Ride
Iowa's Pony Express Riders will traverse multiple communities to raise money for Camp Sunnyside on Good Friday.
Apr. 2, 2026 at 10:05pm
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The annual Pony Express Ride Day fundraiser brings the iconic imagery of the historic mail delivery service to life, raising vital funds for a worthy cause.Mallard TodayThe Pony Express Riders of Iowa are preparing for their annual Ride Day on Friday, April 3, where riders will travel through several northwest Iowa towns to collect donations for Camp Sunnyside, a facility that serves children and adults with disabilities. Multiple numbered rides will take place simultaneously across the state, each following its own route but sharing the same mission.
Why it matters
The Pony Express Ride Day has been a beloved Good Friday tradition in Iowa since the 1960s, bringing communities together to support an important cause. The event not only raises funds for Camp Sunnyside, but also fosters a sense of community spirit and connection through the riders' interactions with local businesses and residents along the way.
The details
On Friday, Ride 11 will make stops in Sioux Rapids, Peterson, Royal, and Everly, with riders collecting donations at each location throughout the morning and early afternoon. A public meet-up is scheduled for 1:30 PM in the Bomgaars parking lot in Everly, where pony rides will be available starting at 11:30 AM. Ride 10, which covers parts of Palo Alto and surrounding counties, will begin early Friday morning in Mallard, before continuing through Curlew, Ayrshire, Riverton, Emmetsburg, Cylinder, and Whittemore, where riders will connect with another group. The money raised goes toward maintaining and improving the facilities at Camp Sunnyside, including dorms, recreational spaces, and gathering areas.
- The Pony Express Ride Day takes place annually on Good Friday.
- Ride 11 will make stops in Sioux Rapids, Peterson, Royal, and Everly on Friday, April 3, 2026.
- Ride 10 will begin early Friday morning, April 3, 2026, in Mallard and continue through several other towns in the region.
The players
Pony Express Riders of Iowa
A statewide organization that has been hosting the annual Ride Day fundraiser for Camp Sunnyside since the 1960s.
Camp Sunnyside
A facility in Des Moines that serves children and adults with disabilities, and is the beneficiary of the Pony Express Ride Day fundraiser.
Sharon Manwarren
A representative of Palo Alto County Ride 10, who provides insight into the structure and purpose of the Pony Express Ride Day event.
What they’re saying
“Ride Day is about more than just fundraising.”
— Sharon Manwarren, Palo Alto County Ride 10 representative
What’s next
The Pony Express Ride Day will conclude at Camp Sunnyside near Des Moines, where all the riders from the various numbered rides across Iowa will converge.
The takeaway
The Pony Express Ride Day is a cherished Good Friday tradition in Iowa that brings communities together to support an important cause, while also fostering a sense of connection and community spirit through the riders' interactions with local businesses and residents along the way.