Bikers riding for a cause this weekend
Dozens of motorcyclists gathered Friday in Butler for the kickoff of Butler Bikes and BBQ.
Eric Mershimer, president of the Butler County chapter of the Alliance of Bikers Aimed Toward Education (ABATE), said the weekend-long event is a celebration of motorcycles and the people who ride them, but also an opportunity to promote awareness of bikers in order to keep drivers and bikers both safe.
“We’re here to show everyone in town that we are here,” Mershimer said. “We’re putting on the parade, games, a bike show, bike giveaways for kids — we are hoping for some attention.”
This is the second year the Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau is hosting Bikes and BBQ. Bureau president Jack Cohen said he helped adapt the idea from a similar event in Erie.
The event takes place over the weekend at the Butler Farm Show grounds, but on Friday, many motorcyclists convened on Butler’s Main Street for a kickoff run. Motorcyclists got a police escort from the Westminster Presbyterian Church to the Farm Show grounds in Connoquenessing, in order to raise awareness and money for Butler County Veterans in Need.
“I joined because of the charity we do,” said Walter Rager Sr., vice president of Butler County ABATE. “Pretty much all of this, we are doing this weekend is for veterans.”
The Farm Show grounds will house vendors, food, games and activities and music over the weekend.
The schedule includes performances by Rustic Revelation at 11 a.m., Doppler Affect at 12:45 p.m. and Stone Cold Killer at 2:30 p.m. Saturday; and The Shiners at noon, Tina Daniels Band at 1:45 p.m. and Black Ridge at 3:30 p.m. Sunday.
Lita Ford headlines the main stage at 8:30 p.m. Saturday on the grandstand. Tickets for the performance are $15 online in advance or $20 at the gate.
Rager said the event is meant to be inviting to everyone, not just motorcyclists and bike riders. ABATE will be fixing children’s bicycles for free and giving out about 50 used bikes for free over the weekend.
“Bikes and BBQ is supposed to be more family-oriented,” Rager said. “We are giving away bikes, fixing bikes; this is a good thing for Butler and the kids.”
Mershimer agreed that the event is a good way to get people, especially children acquainted with motorcycles, because one day they may share the road.
“We’re not the scary bikers that chase kids around,” Mershimer said. “We do a lot with Operation Save a Life, we go to schools and talk to kids who are getting their (driver’s) permits and licenses.”
Mershimer said ABATE will have booths around the Farm Show grounds the whole weekend to collect donations for Butler County Veterans in Need. He also encourages people to speak with members of the group while visiting the event, so they can learn more about motorcyclists and the ABATE organization.
“The letters we wear, they are for our protection. They’re there so you can notice us,” Mershimer said.
