Correction: Motorcyclist Steve Clingenpeel rides a Street Glide Special Harley Davidson. An earlier version referred to the motorcycle under a different name. 

NILES — Weekend rains dampened attendance at the Niles Burn Run, but not the spirit of those who chose to brave the weather in support of the cause.

The 17th annual three-day festival and charity ride kicked off Friday and lasted through Sunday in Riverfront Park. This year’s festivities included a wrestling show, live music, a car and bike show, beer tent and the traditional motorcycle ride across Berrien and Cass counties.

Proceeds from the event were raised for the Great Lakes Burn Camp. The camp is for youth burn victims ages 6 to 17. The camp’s aim is to promote healing, self-esteem and give youth the opportunity to have summer fun.

With rain and thunderstorms taking place across Michiana, Steve Adolph, the nonprofit’s president, said attendance numbers were definitely down. This year, 285 motorcycle riders took part in the run, while last year more than 600 participated.

“The rain really hindered us,” Adolph said.

Still, he said the wrestling show and live music, which featured headliner 30 Year Wait, brought out a crowd.

Adolph said he was also proud to see almost 300 riders participate, despite weather conditions.

“For bikers to come out in the rain… I’m not going to complain,” Adolph said. “It was a pretty good turnout.”

Fortunately, the sun peeked through the clouds as riders were preparing to kick-off Sunday around noon. Adolph said the rain at least held off during the ride.

Among those who turned out to show their support was Steve Clingenpeel, of North Liberty, Indiana.

Clingenpeel has made the ride a summer tradition since 2007. This year, he brought out gleaming yellow “Street Glide Special” Harley Davidson.

“It’s mostly to help the kids go to camp,” Clingenpeel said. “I drive for U.S.F. Hauling and we always come here and bring 10 to 20 bikes every time.”

Clingenpeel said he was most looking forward to taking in the countryside during the ride across Berrien and Cass counties.

“The path we take is out in the country,” Clingenpeel said. “It’s usually a good ride. We thought today it was going to be wet, but it is starting to look nice.”

Thirteen-year-old Jordan Jameson, of Niles, also chose to participate in the motorcycle ride. While Jameson has visited the festival every year for the past four years, Sunday marked the first time she would be participating in the event as a rider. Jameson said she would be a passenger on her grandfather Bob Kole’s motorcycle. Securing her helmet, Jameson said participating in the Niles Burn Run is a way to give back to her community.

“It’s a really cool thing to do and it helps a lot of people,” Jameson said.

By noon, motorcyclists had lined up at Riverfront Park. The riders, who were escorted by local police officers, put up their kickstands and suddenly hundreds of engines roared to life.

Chrome flashed, as they rumbled down Main Street and passed through downtown. Spectators lined the sidewalks to watch and captured the moment with their phones — proving that it would take more than a little rain to keep these bikers at bay.

As far as how much was raised, Adolph said they do not have a total yet but expect to have numbers in the upcoming days.

Following the event, Adolph said he was most looking forward to the moment when he gets to present the Great Lakes Burn Camp with a check.