The Niles Burn Run isn’t just a weekend full of fun events in downtown Niles culminating in a 50-mile motorcycle ride. It’s also a fundraiser for a good cause.
Since its inception in 2001, the Niles Burn Run has raised more than $92,000 for the Great Lakes Burn Camp, a place where young burn victims can go to heal, grow and support other burn survivors.
It costs about $600 to send one person to camp. Last year, the event raised a record $20,000. All proceeds go to the burn camp.
“It’s awesome to see those kid having fun and being themselves,” said Scott Roberts, Burn Run president.
This year’s event officially begins Saturday in downtown Niles, although there will be, for the first time, a biker meet-and-greet featuring live music at Massimo’s Backside Bar Friday evening.
“It’s not technically part of the Niles Burn Run, but I hope it will lead us into a three-day event in future years,” Roberts said.
Registration for the bike show is from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday with judging at noon.
Real Country 99.9 will host a live remote and cash prize machine from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
There will be live music at the main stage on Main Street between Front and Second streets from noon until 10 p.m. featuring Hey Annie, Dickey James and The Blue Flames, and Duke Tumatoe and The Power Trio.
Also, don’t miss the classic motorcycle games “Road Kill” and “Slow Putt” at 2:30 p.m., the fire truck pull contest at 1 p.m., the dunk tank made from an old fire truck and the BMX bike show by Skewed View Productions at 1:45 p.m.
Prior to Sunday’s motorcycle ride, the Christian Motorcycle Association will be offering a pancake breakfast at 9 a.m. and church service at 9 a.m. downtown by the main stage. All proceeds go toward Niles Burn Run donations for the Great Lakes Burn Camp.
The Balos Family will sing the National Anthem before the motorcycle ride, which begins at noon.
Motorcycles will line up on Main Street at the intersection of Main and Fifth streets facing east. The ride will then proceed to east toward M-60.
Officers from the Niles Police Department will escort the motorcycles on the 50-mile trip, which is expected to return sometime around 2 p.m. on Front Street.
Riders will be treated to lunch upon return. Last year, there was a record of 525 riders, many with passengers.
Firefighters from various departments will help block the roads for the ride.
For those not riding, the band Everyday Losers will entertain with live music beginning at 1 p.m. on the main stage.
Motorcycle games will begin around 3:30 p.m.
People can register for the ride Saturday or Sunday at the event.
For more information, visit nilesburnrun.com or follow them on Facebook.

Niles Burn Run
July 13-14
Downtown Niles

Saturday
9 a.m. — Bike show registration begins/Poker Crawl begins
10 a.m.-1 p.m. — Real Country 99.9 live remote and cash prize machine
10:30 a.m. — Main Stage announcements
11 a.m. — Bike show registration closes
Noon — Bike show judging
Noon-1:30 p.m. — Main Stage: Hey Annie
1 p.m. — Fire truck pull
1:30 p.m. — Main Stage: Bike Show winners announced
1:45-2:30 p.m. — BMX Bike Show by Skewed View
2:30 p.m. — Motorcycle games: Road Kill and Slow Putt
3-5 p.m. — Main Stage: Dickey James and The Blue Flames
6:15-7:45 p.m. — Main Stage: Duke Tumatoe and The Power Trio
8 p.m. — Main Stage: Beer Belly Contest; Fashion Show; Poker Crawl finals
8:30-10 p.m. — Duke Tumatoe and The Power Trio
10 p.m. — Event closed

Sunday
9 a.m. — CMA pancake breakfast/church service
10 a.m. — Announcements
11:45 a.m. — National Anthem by Balos Family
Noon — Motorcycle ride begins
1 p.m. — Main Stage: Everyday Losers
2 p.m. — Ride returns
3:30 p.m. — Motorcycle games: Slow Putt, Ring Toss, Wienie Bite
4:30 p.m. — Main Stage: Biker Game winners announced
5 p.m. — Main Stage: Closing announcements