It has been a long road to finally bring the Bikes & BBQ event to Butler County, even as the coronavirus pandemic still creates speed bumps of uncertainty.

Motorcyclists and bikers are invited to tour Butler County in a group ride that will kick off the event the evening of July 22, before hitting the Butler Farm Show grounds in Connoquenessing Township, where vehicle vendors and barbecue foods will be present throughout the weekend.

Jack Cohen, president of Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau, said that although the free event is aimed at attracting motorcyclists, the event will appeal to everyone.

“We're looking for a lot of folks to come up, bring their motorcycles,” he said. “There will be entertainment, tons of food, tons of motorcycles to see.”

The tourism bureau and Appleseed Events planned to have the inaugural Bikes and BBQ event in June 2020. The event was rescheduled to September because of the coronavirus pandemic before ultimately being canceled.

Cohen said it is modeled after an event in Erie called Roar on the Shore.

Amanda Becker, who owns Appleseed Events and is helping coordinate Bikes and BBQ, said the delay in having the event might end up drawing more people who have longed to take part in an event. She also said the event will adhere to whichever COVID-19 guidelines are in place once July rolls around.

“We're going to invite motorcyclists to tour the county,” Becker said. “I think people are going to want to get out this year, and Butler is a beautiful place to see in the summer.”

The organizers are still booking entertainment for the event because of the ongoing uncertainty regarding COVID-19 guidelines. However, Cohen said visitors can get all the barbecue they want, be able to look at bikes and accessories and even test drive motorcycles.

“It'll be a lot of fun,” Cohen said. “We're hoping this event draws a lot of people in to check it out.”

Bikes and BBQ kicks off with a bike run on the evening of July 22, and will run 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. More information on Bikes and BBQ will be released as it becomes available on the tourism bureau's website, including registration information for the kick-off motorcycle tour.