ÍáÍáÂþ»­

BEMIDJI — The 19th annual Ride for the Troops event is set for Sunday, June 1, in Bemidji with events starting at 9 a.m. and continuing throughout the day.

This year's event also marks the return to the Longest Ride route, which will begin and end at the Bemidji Eagles Club.

Festivities kick off Saturday, May 31, with a car and bike show from noon to 5 p.m., followed by dinner and awards until 7 p.m. and wrapping up with a concert featuring Rick Adams at the Eagles Club.

Riders will then gather at 9 a.m. Sunday morning, June 1, for a pancake breakfast and pre-ride activities, with kickstands up at noon.

Riders will make their way from the Eagles Club to just south of Bagley before heading to Zerkel for lunch at the Knutson Zerkel Store.

From there, the ride will continue on to Mahnomen and Naytahwaush, making its way to the Rock Creek Store near Lake Itasca for a short stop around 2:45 p.m.

Riders will then head back to Bemidji, concluding at the Eagles Club around 4 p.m. with a meal and ride raffle to follow.

Contributed

"Each year the ride provides the majority of funding for our area servicemen, women and families and funding support to the programs that our area veterans depend on and receive services from," a release said.

The cost is $25 per bike and $10 per additional passenger. For more information and to register visit In-person registration will also be available on the day of the event.

"We want to thank all the sponsors that have supported Ride for the Troops each year, as many have continued their support over the last 19 years," the release said. "We couldn't accomplish this outstanding achievement without the support of sponsors, volunteers and the great people of northern Minnesota who support the Ride of the Troops each year."