Dozens of motorcycles are scheduled to ride through Butler Thursday evening, kicking off the first-ever Butler Bikes and BBQ event.

According to Amanda Becker, event planner with Appleseed Events, that parade and the scale of the event itself are growing each day.

With 70 motorcyclists already registered for the parade and 35 to 40 vendors signed on for the weekend event, Becker said the inaugural Bikes and BBQ could draw an unlikely crowd.

“I think it's going to be great because there is a variety of things to see,” Becker said. “A lot of people are kind of curious; even though they might not like bikes, they can come for the food.”

The parade, which benefits Butler County Veterans In Need through its registration fee, will go from the north end of Main Street in Butler through Route 8 to Renfrew and Meridian, before ending at the Butler Farm Show Grounds.

The grounds will be a hodgepodge of biking merchandise and equipment, along with several barbecue vendors, Becker said.

While motorcycle merchandise will be a focus, Becker said, children and adults can find something to enjoy on the grounds. She said children will be able to ride miniature motorcycles made for them, and musical entertainment is scheduled daily.

Bikers, however, might be the people happiest with the event. There is a 50-mile and a 75-mile ride scheduled for Saturday, and bike games scheduled to take place over the weekend.

“There will be plenty to look at as far as bike parts,” Becker said. “There are vendors selling leather, there is a bike shop, motorcycle insurance, motorcycle accessories.”

The parade begins at 6 p.m. Thursday, with the event opening at the Farm Show Grounds at 625 Evans City Road. Butler Bikes and BBQ is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free, but parking costs $5 for cars.

Becker said the motorcycle entrance to the event is off Meridian Road, which is the “back entrance,” and the car entrance is off of Evans City Road/Route 68, which is the “front entrance.”

For more information on the event, visit the Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau's website at www.visitbutlercounty.com.