By Rod Boshart, The Gazette

DES MOINES — Vice President Mike Pence is to headline Sen. Joni Ernst’s third annual Roast and Ride fundraiser on Saturday, June 3, at the Central Iowa Expo near Boone.

The Roast and Ride is the freshman senator’s signature fundraising event. Last year’s event, which featured candidate Donald Trump, drew about 1,800 people.

The Red Oak Republican announced this year’s lineup of featured attendees via a video she posted at her RoastAndRide.com website. Other guests include Sens. Tim Scott, R-S.C., and Chuck Grassley, Iowa GOP Congressmen David Young and Steve King, and soon-to-be Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds.

“As many of you know, the Roast and Ride has become a great family friendly tradition that includes a motorcycle ride honoring our veterans, followed by a barbecue where we hear from some of the top leaders from around the country,” Ernst said in the video. “We are going to have a fantastic day.”

Ernst, who won an upset victory in the race for an open Senate seat in 2014, has been able to attract GOP big names to her events. In 2015 — in the absence of an Iowa GOP Straw Poll, seven contenders for the party’s presidential nomination showed up to mingle with guests. Trump did not attend.

The third annual Roast and Ride will start at Big Barn Harley-Davidson in Des Moines with a 49-mile motorcycle ride to the Central Iowa Expo grounds in Boone, followed by a barbecue lunch.

Information about tickets, times, locations and other details for the event can be found at the RoastAndRide.com website.

l Comments: (515) 243-7220; rod.boshart@thegazette.com