Aleather and tattoo crowd formed a circle in a grassy clearing. In the middle, women took turns trying to throw kegs as far as they could.

"One more brave soul? One more? Come on," taunted Bismarck resident Michael Jay through his announcer's microphone.

As contestents finished their throws the average was about 15 feet they returned to the rowdy, friendly crowd for congratulations and sometimes a bit of ribbing.

Keg-throwing was just one of many revelries taking place Saturday afternoon at the 32nd Annual ABATE of North Dakota Menoken Grove Bike Rally.

Held in a field near Menoken, about 13 miles east of Bismarck on Interstate 94, the annual event has been a staple of summer for North Dakota's motorcycle riding community.

It includes a minnow race, a tire toss and a motorcycle rodeo.

"The appeal is a bunch of people who enjoy the same thing, just relaxing and enjoying the camaraderie," said Mandan resident Wayne Mariuska.

Mariuska, who dons a white beard and was dressed in a black leather vest, jeans and sunglasses, said he's been riding motorcycles since 1972.

"There's an atmosphere here that you don't find with more structured things. It's a freedom thing, which is probably why a lot of these people ride motorcycles," he said.

Across the way, watching the keg throw with his buddies was Steve Johs, a Bismarck firefighter who wore the name "Nips" on his leather jacket.

Johs donned a black kilt, explaining that it's a tradition among his biking group and that a hot summer day was a good day to wear it.

"It's fun, and we all have a good time," Johs said of the event.

The Menoken Bikers' rally is sponsored by ABATE American Bikers Aiming Towards Education. Its $40 admission fee ($25 for ABATE members) acts as a fundraiser for the group, which advocates motorcycle safety and previously lobbied for the repeal of North Dakota's mandatory motorcycle helmet law.

The event was lined with vendors selling food motorcycle gear, jewelry and bumper stickers saying "Live to ride, ride to live" and "Life is too short to ride with ugly women."

"Right now, the do-rags and the sunglasses are really popular," said Dave Burrer, a vendor and owner of The Glove Guy in Mandan.

The Menoken Grove Rally continues today with a 9 a.m. nondemonational church service by the Christian Motorcycle Association.

(Reach reporter Jonathan Rivoli at 223-8482 or jonathan.rivoli@;bismarcktribune.com.)