For the 10th anniversary of the Niles Burn Run, event organizer and Niles Township firefighter Doug Myers is hoping for record attendance numbers this weekend.
But for this motorcycle run, it’s more about how much money is raised for a unique cause.
The event benefits the Great Lakes Burn Camp — a retreat near Kalamazoo for burn survivors ages 6 to 17.
“Our goal is always to raise more money than last year,” Myers said. “If we put on a good run, we’ll be able to bring in quite a bit of money.”
Beating last year would be quite the task, considering the two-day event raked in $12,000.
The camp, located in Texas Township, Mich., helps area child burn victims emotionally heal.
“They have physical and emotional scars,” Myers said. “It’s the only time they can be with other kids like them and realize there’s nothing wrong with them.”
Myers expects more than 3,000 people and 500 riders for the event, taking place Saturday and Sunday.
Last year, the Burn Run expanded from a one-day event to the current two-day format.
Myers said the extended event went “really well” and all the bikers were enthusiastic about keeping it a two-day event.
The weekend will be packed with activities, including live music from six bands, a fire truck pull, a bike show and contest, a poker walk and slow putt competition.
“You don’t have to be a biker to come down. There’s a lot of stuff to watch and enjoy,” Myers said.
The run itself, which covers 55 miles, will begin noon Sunday.

Niles Burn Run Schedule

SATURDAY
10 a.m.    Bike show registration begins
10 a.m.    Live remote from Real Country 99.9 (parking lot, Second and Main)
10:30 a.m.    Zumba Dancers (Main Street Stage)
11 a.m.    Radioland (Apple Fest 3rd Street Stage)
11:30 a.m.    Great Lakes Drill Team Demonstration (parking lot, Second and Main)
Noon        Problem Child (Main Street Stage); Beer tent opens
1 p.m.        Great Lakes Burn Camp presentation (3rd Street Stage)
1:30 p.m.    Radioland (3rd Street Stage); Great Lakes Drill Team Demonstration (parking lot, Second and Main)
2 p.m.        Attention Deficit (Main Street Stage); Bike show winners announced (3rd Street Stage)
2:30 p.m.    Fire truck pull (3rd Street)
3:30 p.m.    Great Lakes Burn Camp presentation (3rd Street Stage)
4 p.m.        Dogface (Main Street Stage)
4:30 p.m.    Slow-Putt Competition (3rd Street)
5:30 p.m.    Poker Walk announcements (3rd Street Stage)
6 p.m.        Terra Firma (Main Street Stage)
7:30 p.m.    Radioland (3rd Street Stage)
8 p.m.        Southern Roos (Main Street Stage)

SUNDAY
6-11 a.m.    Pancake Breakfast (Riverfront parking lot)
9 a.m.        Registration opens
10-11 a.m.    Biker service (Riverfront Amphitheater)
11:45 a.m.    Pre-ride announcements/national anthem (Second and Main)
Noon        Ride departs from downtown Niles