The second annual Bikes & BBQ at the Butler Farm Show grounds during the weekend offered something for every motorcycle enthusiast, many of whom rode some distance to attend.

In addition to several barbecue booths — each claiming to have the best brisket in Butler — several vendors set up at the event.

New Castle Harley-Davidson not only sold clothing and biker accessories but had on hand a stationary bike prospective riders could try out.

It also offered test drives in which attendees with a motorcycle license could ride one of several models on display.

Jack Cohen, president of the Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau and event coordinator, said the New Castle Harley tractor-trailer, which was parked near its large booth, was headed to Sturgis, S.D., for the biggest motorcycle rally in the U.S. as soon as Bikes & BBQ ended Sunday night.

Other motorcycle brands on display Saturday were Indian, Triumph, Kawasaki, Suzuki, BMW and KTM.

Cohen said a building at the grounds was set aside so dealers and prospective motorcycle buyers could discuss a purchase in private.

A woodcarver, Veterans in Need, a motorcycle group comprised of police officers, jewelry, a distillery, a brewery, biker leathers, rhinestone-adorned female-oriented motorcycle clothing and accessories, Social Club Barber Shop and After Hours Tattoos of Mars among others dotted the grounds.

Bands played all day in a pavilion on the western end of the grounds, and Lita Ford, former guitarist in the 1970s all-female band The Runaways, played at the Farm Show arena on Saturday evening.

Cohen said he was told Lita Ford performed the first-ever concert at the grounds.

Alliance of Bikers Aimed Toward Education (ABATE) also manned a booth and sold 50/50 raffle tickets. The group urged those in attendance to sign a petition against a legislative attempt to ban vehicle insurance “stacking,” which they said would no longer allow bikers involved in accidents the ability to access insurance policies attached to their other vehicles to pay for injuries and recovery in an accident.

People of all ages, most dressed in black shirts and blue jeans, strolled the grounds Saturday.

John Shuffstall of Cooperstown, Venango County, rode to Bikes & BBQ on Saturday on his Suzuki Boulevard.

“I’m going to check out all the bikes and attractions,” Shuffstall said. “There’s not a lot of bike shows anymore.”

He especially looked forward to the barbecue.

“You can’t go to an event like this and not eat the food,” he said.

Philip McConnell, 8, of Lawrence County, came with is mom, dad and brother. His dad decided to take a test ride while the remaining trio decided which food vendor to pick.

Philip said his father was into motorcycles before he was born. He enjoyed all the things to see, do and eat at the Farm Show grounds.

“I think it’s really cool,” Philip said.

His brother, Zach Roberts, 17, said he likes Harley-Davidson motorcycles for one main reason.

“For one thing, they go really fast, and also, they’re super loud,” Zach said.

He looked forward to munching on a corn dog while enjoying the motorcycle skills competition held at 12:30 p.m.

“It’s pretty cool,” Zach said of Bikes & BBQ. “I think I’d come here again.”

Ken Crissman of Elk County drove his Honda Magna for 2.5 hours to get to the Farm Show grounds.

“It’s a beautiful day to be out on a ride,” he said.

He learned about Bikes & BBQ on the Internet and decided to cruise down with his wife.

“It’s pretty nice,” Crissman said of the event. “There are lots of things to look at. I’ll probably come back next year.”

Crissman is a longtime biker. “It just gets you out in the open air,” he said.

Asked if it’s ever too hot to ride, his friend Brian Bobenrieth of Elk County piped up with an answer.

“It’s never too anything to ride,” Bobenrieth said. “Hot, cold, rain, I’ve ridden in them all.”

Cohn said the first event last year drew 2,500. He anticipated a total count of 10,000 to 15,000 this year, which he said benefits everyone, not just the vendors at the Farm Show grounds.

“The bike company (vendors) and visitors are staying in our hotels and campgrounds,” Cohen said, “and supporting our local economy.”

He said there is space for more vendors next year, which he said will be bigger and better than ever.

“Motorcycles have been popular since the 1920s,” Cohen said. “People like the freedom of motorcycles.”