For the past 20 years, Dave Geitner’s easy-going, laid-back attitude has undoubtedly attracted other bikers to the annual Kids and Cancer Motorcycle Benefit Run, which is always held rain or shine.

Geitner, president of this year’s 20th-annual benefit run on Saturday, said a larger number of bikers have pre-registered for this year’s event, despite the rain-plagued summer. He said bikers are expected to participate from local communities and travel from central Pennsylvania as well as Buffalo and Long Island in New York state.

“We’re getting quite a bit of positive response,” Geitner said. “Our pre-registrations are up from years past. We’re gearing up for between 500 and 600 people.”

The benefit, founded by Geitner, raises funds through the $25 registration fees for both drivers and riders, the annual Harley Davidson motorcycle raffle as well as other raffles, an auction and smaller fundraisers.

Registration for the run will be held from 8:45 to 11:45 a.m. in the Zippo Manufacturing Co. parking lot on Congress Street. The Blessing of the Bikes ceremony will be conducted at noon by the Rev. Ray Gramata prior to the beginning of the run. The run will include various stops at venues in the Allegheny National Forest region and local communities. A celebration beginning at 3 p.m. will be held on Mechanic Street in downtown Bradford and is open to the community.

Bev Sherman, secretary of the benefit committee, said the nonprofit organization is “trying to get more community involvement” in the event.

“I think the assumption is that it’s just for the motorcyclists and it’s really not,” Sherman said. “We’re looking for a lot of participation.”

Geitner said Mechanic Street will be shut off from Main to West Washington streets from 3 to 8 p.m. In addition, a band will play on the Mechanic Street bridge during that time frame.

“A number of taverns will be involved with this,” Geitner added.

As for the motorcycle raffle, participants can purchase one ticket for $20 or three tickets for $50 to win a 2017 Harley Davidson Dyna Lowrider bike. The unique Dyna motorcycle has a keyless ignition and adjustable handlebars and seat that will fit a number of different riders.

The winning ticket will be drawn at 7 p.m. Saturday, and there will be second- and third-place prizes.

A special edition Zippo lighter with 24-carat inlaid gold, as well as a one-of-a-kind knife and lighter from W.R. Case Cutlery and Zippo Manufacturing Co. will also be auctioned during the event. A 50/50 will also be held during the benefit.

Event T-shirts will be available to riders, as well as 20th anniversary special edition Zippo Manufacturing Co. lighters.

“There will be awards given out  (to the riders) … we’ll recognize the oldest participant, the youngest participant, the furthest distance traveled and the first to pre-register,” Geitner continued.

On a related note, Geitner said the fundraiser has provided more than $400,000 over the years to local charities, hospitals and individuals in Pennsylvania and New York state. The committee is so dedicated to helping children and young people with severe illnesses that they took time from this week’s benefit meeting to ensure a severely ill young man will receive funds to travel to a concert next week.

The young man, Brandon Youngs from Shinglehouse, was diagnosed with a frontal lobe brain tumor in 2013 and is severely disabled from the illness. They said Youngs hopes to have a meet- and- greet session at  the Brantley Gilbert concert July 30 at Darien Lake. The committee made sure this will happen by sending a check this week to Youngs’ family.

Another couple, Mark and Kate Joy of Arkport, N.Y., plan to offer a testimonial Saturday regarding their toddler son, Markie, who has a variety of medical conditions.  

“The Joy family will … put a face to where the money goes,” Sherman said.

(Editor’s note: Event motorcyclists are expected to begin their ride on Main Street to East Main and out to South Kendall. Their first stop will be at the Smethport Volunteer Fire Department, followed by a ride along Route 59 to the Kinzua Bridge Visitor Center for the second stop. The third stop will be at the Elks Club in Kane. From there the group will travel along Route 321 north to West Washington Street where they’ll make their last stop at The Shack at Corydon restaurant. The bikers will then travel back to Bradford.)