At noon Sunday, Niles Burn Run board member Robin Cooper will put up his kickstand on his Harley Davidson and join hundreds of motorcycle riders in revving their engines before taking off on a more than 60-mile ride in support of the Niles Burn Run. The event raises money for youth burn survivors who wish to attend the Great Lakes Burn Camp this August in Portage, Michigan.

The 16th annual event first kicks off at 8 a.m. Saturday and lasts through Sunday at Riverfront Park in Niles. Attending the event is free and open to the public. Participating in the ride Sunday costs $30 for a single rider and an additional $5 for a passenger. Pre-registration is $5 less.

Throughout the day Saturday a number of family activities will be available in Riverfront Park. From 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. a car, bike and truck show will take place. The cost to enter a vehicle is $15.

After helping to oversee the event as a board member for the past two years, Cooper said they try to have some new activities for people to participate in every year. This year, those who attend will be able to see one of the original Batmobiles that helped Adam West to fight crime in the 1960s TV series. Only four of the model cars exist.

There will also be a special guest appearance from Horny Mike, the star of the show “Counting Cars” on Saturday. Mike will be available to sign autographs.

The motorcycle ride will take place at noon Sunday at Riverfront Park. Members of the Berrien County Sheriff Department will help lead the run.

Additionally, Front Street Pizza Pub has volunteered to set up a band shell and provide music and entertainment throughout the festival.

The event typically draws between 3,000 to 4,000 people to participate.

Cooper said he likes seeing people fill the streets of Niles.

“They come to downtown and spend their whole day down at Riverfront Park,” Cooper said.

This he said, supports local businesses and helps to put Niles on the map.

A lifelong Niles resident, Cooper’s passion for motorcycles began when he graduated from high school. While raising a family left him with little time for the hobby, Cooper was able to unite his passion for motorcycles and giving as a volunteer of the Niles Burn Run. He said he decided to join the run after stumbling upon the event in downtown Niles.

With the encouragement of friends, Cooper began volunteering about six years ago. The rest, he said, is history. Through his work at X Press Printing in St. Joseph, he said he started out helping to supply printed materials. The owner of the business, Walter Buesing, still prints the event’s materials for free.

Later, Cooper was elected as board member and has served in the position for two years.

“Once you see what the organization does for burn survivors that is about all it takes,” Cooper said.

The summer camp seeks to help youth burn victims in their healing process by helping them to gain confidence and self-esteem. The camp is supported solely by donations. This year, the goal of the Niles Burn Run is to raise at least $20,000.

After each Niles Burn Run, Cooper is among those that escorts the children to the camp. He then gets to help present the check to the children.

“We get cheers, yells and screams [from the children],” Cooper said.

From the number of business sponsors to volunteers that help bring the event together, seeing the community support an event that generates such positivity is rewarding, Cooper said.