Save the Youth 814 to stage 'Rides for the Rise' motorcycle festival at Erie Bayfront on July 19

Save the Youth 814, a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit, announced that it will hold Rides for the Rise, a motorcycle parade and motor-music festival, on Saturday, July 19, at the Rebich Investment Amphitheatre at Liberty Park on the Erie Bayfront.

A City of Erie official said the event is intended to benefit local young people and that city staff in the Erie Police Department and the Department of Public Works are working with organizers to finalize the parade start location and route. "We are excited to announce that thanks to an incredible team of local people who have stepped up and are committed to benefiting Erie's youth, a motorcycle rally will be returning to the city of Erie," the official said.

The festival will include a motorcycle parade that organizers plan to begin about noon (check-in at 10 a.m.), and the on-site festival is scheduled to run from noon to 8 p.m. William Grant, vice president of Save the Youth 814, said the organization plans live music, food, vendors and family-friendly activities and that a portion of proceeds "will go directly to community programs that value and contribute to positive youth development, including academic support, mentoring, cultural enrichment, and structured recreational activities." Grant said the idea was suggested by the group's president, Jose Moya.

Organizers said they have opened 25 vendor slots and up to 15 food-truck slots. The deadline for vendor and performer applications is June 27, and registration for vendor, performer and rider participation is available at sty814.com/ridesfortherise. Sponsorship levels, the organizers said, range from about $250 to $10,000 and will include VIP hospitality tents for top sponsors.

Lanisha Chibani, identified in remarks as the group's treasurer, said the group's aim is to keep the event focused on local performers and vendors so proceeds stay in Erie: "The biggest takeaways for us in our new vision is for it to be focused on what Erie has to offer. And with your support, we'll be able to take those funds and make a brighter future for our youth," she said.

City staff noted construction at the intersection of the Bayfront Parkway and State Street may push the parade's origin to the city's west side; final routing was described as still under development. The City of Erie said it will assist with planning tasks such as vendor registration systems, marketing and logistics based on its experience with other local events.

Organizers listed the event's board as including William Grant (vice president), Lisa Fickenworth (secretary), Lanisha/Ladisha Chibani (treasurer) and Dan Higdon (board member), and identified Jose Moya as president of Save the Youth 814. The group described itself as a 501(c)(3) with a mission to "inspire and empower young people in our community by providing meaningful programs, impactful initiatives, and unwavering support to the development and safety of Erie's youth."

For more information, organizers said visit sty814.com/ridesfortherise and follow the City of Erie and Save the Youth 814 on social media for updates.

Notes on attribution: quotations and attributions in this article come from participants at the City of Erie press conference as recorded in the meeting transcript.