Motorcycle riders from across the Midwest will journey to Bismarck this weekend to take in the 31st annual Menoken Grove Bike Rally.

It all started as a celebration by ABATE, which had convinced the North Dakota Legislature to repeal the state's helmet law and provide funding for rider education, according to Michael Jay, ABATE's gaming manager and education director.

That first party saw only a dozen or so participants, according to Janet Frost, ABATE's marketing director, who says she's been to every rally since. But expectations are for a few more people this weekend, between 1,500 and 1,800. There is primitive camping available, and Frost figures there will be a couple of hundred people pulling in campers, setting up tents and sleeping under the stars.

"In the old days you'd roll up your sleeping bag and pup tent on the handle bars and find a spot. Up until about five years ago, I'd sleep on the bike," Jay said. "But now you see a lot more campers. The crowd is a little older and they want to be comfortable."

While there is plenty of entertainment planned for the weekend with vendors, a bike rodeo, parades, rides and more, the biggest reason riders return year after year is to renew friendships.

"For a lot of the participants it's become a tradition. You get to see a lot of people you've known for a long time, and for some, it's the only time of year they can get together," Frost said. "We're seeing the demographics growing. People are coming from Canada, Minnesota, Montana and Nebraska."

But you must be 21 to get through the gates, Frost said. The entertainment is geared for adults. While the focus is on motorcycle enthusiasts, you don't have to ride in on a two-wheeler to get a taste of biker lifestyle.

The rally is ABATE's primary fundraiser, with proceeds going to the North Dakota motorcycle safety education program that ABATE manages. There are 21 instructors who provide classes across the state starting in May and running through mid-September. In Bismarck alone the program averages 84 students a week, and by the season's end, nearly 2,000 motorcycle riders will receive instruction.

A daily pass is $20 for ABATE members and $30 for nonmembers. A weekend pass is $25 for members and $40 for all others.

"We've got 22 vendors, including motorcycles, jewelry, tattooing, body piercing, airbrushing and leathers. There will be plenty of food and beverages available," Frost said.

Tim McGowen, of Oslo, Minn., has been making appearances at the rally for 25 years, the last four as a product vendor for Street Is Neat, a Lehman trike conversion company.

"We come out to show our product and have a good time," McGowen said. "We take stock motorcycles and transform them into trikes with the Lehman conversion kits."

The faces at Menoken are friendly and familiar, according to McGowen, but they're getting older and older as the years go by.

Last year, Sandra Lee Jewelry made its first appearance as a vendor, according to Sandra Treiber, who describes the business as home-based. And she will return this weekend and for years to come. Treiber plans on camping at Menoken throughout the weekend.

"We had a great time and a lot of fun," Treiber said. "I wasn't sure what to expect, I'd never been to a motorcycle rally before. But the bikers were really helpful, and it was one of the better venues I've ever set up at. There's a lot of good music, people, a good time dancing, eating and visiting."

Mandan's Action Motorcycles will have five of its bikes on display, according to owner-operator Dwight Pletan.

"It's a laid-back atmosphere. We have time to sit back and visit. People can start the bikes and listen to them, even ride some, that's something you can't do inside," Pletan said. "Action supports ABATE and the motorcycle safety program. Anybody who rides should take the classes, it keeps people safe on the road."

Friday and Saturday evenings will feature music. Phoenix and Fuzz-N-The Guns will play both nights, while Wild Side, a Motley Crue cover band is featured Friday, and Bad Company cover band Straight Shooter is featured Saturday.

On Saturday morning, a Vietnam Veterans memorial run will be made from Menoken to the Veterans Memorial Cemetery south of Mandan. Frost expects more than 300 riders to make the run, and said it is quite a sight as they make their way to the cemetery. The games start at about 12:30 p.m. and run until about 5 p.m. on Saturday, she said.

A wedding is scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday in front of the bandstand, according to Frost.

"We've had weddings before, but this is the first in a long time," Frost said. "The couple will ride up on their bikes and then ride off together into the sunset."

The gates will open at 9 a.m. on Friday, and that's usually when the campers come in, Frost said. Sunday morning the Christian Motorcycle Association will hold a church service, prior to everyone departing.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 250-8255 or gordon.weixel@bismarcktribune.com.)