SLIPPERY ROCK — Nearly 300 motorcycles will travel Aug. 9 from the Home Depot in Cranberry Township to Old Thompson Field at Slippery Rock University for the ninth annual Pittsburgh Ride For Kids. The ride will benefit the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation.

It will culminate in a Celebration of Life program, where brain tumor survivors will talk and awards will be given to fundraising clubs, individuals and motorcycle businesses. The grand prize is a motorcycle donated by Honda.

Mike Ammerman, the media coordinator for the Pittsburgh Ride for Kids Task Force, said last year's ride raised $57,025 and organizers hope to raise $60,000 this year.

"But because of the economy and the way it's been, other cities have had an increase in ridership but a decrease in proceeds," he said.

Ammerman said there were about 260 motorcycles and 470 participants last year, in addition to cancer survivors who rode in sidecars. This year, he hopes to see at least 300 motorcycles.

Ammerman said the riders will travel Route 19 to Zelienople, then head to routes 108, 8 and 58 before getting to SRU.

The riders will be escorted by the Butler County Fire Police and members of the Blue Knights will be at intersections to warn motorists, of the riders, Ammerman said.

Donations are usually taken at registration, but anyone who wants to donate can visit the Ride for Kids Web site at www.rideforkids.org.

Registration for the ride is from 8 to 9:45 a.m. Aug. 9 and the event begins at 10 a.m.