What organizers are calling Vicksburg’s first motorcycle rally revs up Friday at Rainbow Casino. Events will continue through the next day.

Rally On the River…2008 Rally Against Child Abuse will benefit The Exchange Club of Vicksburg and its child abuse awareness and prevention programs.

Event co-chairman Mary Ray said, “In other places they’ve been held, these rallies have really been popular. They’re lots of fun and draw people from all walks of life – doctors, lawyers, engineers. It’s real good fellowship. This will be the first one ever held in Vicksburg.”

The rally has been publicized in Mississippi and neighboring states. It is being hosted by the River City Bike Rally Committee, an independent group that includes five bikers and, as a consultant, Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace. The committee plans to make the rally an annual event.

If you goRally On the River…2008 Rally Against Child Abuse is set for Friday and Aug. 30 at Rainbow Casino on Warrenton Road.General admission (pay at the door):Noon-9 p.m. Friday – $108 a.m. to 11 p.m. Aug. 30 – $15Two-day pass – $20Children 5 and younger – freeBike show, 4 p.m. Aug. 30 (in addition to admission):Contestants – $15Spectators – $5Poker Run, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Aug. 30:Entry fee – $10Friday (gates open at noon)Noon-4 p.m. – Registration for bike gamesNoon-5:45 p.m. – Registration for bike show, poker run, raffles, door prizes4:15-5:45 p.m. – Bike games (outdoors)6-9 p.m.- Performance by RewindRaffle winners announced during band breaks.Aug. 308-9:45 a.m.- Final registration for poker run8 a.m.-3 p.m. – Registration for bike show, raffles, Door Prizes 10 a.m.-1 p.m. – Poker run2 p.m. – Blessing of the Bikes by Christian Motorcyclists Association4-7 p.m. – Bike Show8-11 p.m. – Performance by The Swartz Brothers (indoors)Raffle winners announced during band breaks.”We have received overwhelming support from the community, as well as from other areas of the state and surrounding states,” said event Chairman Kathy Triplett. “The primary purpose of this rally is to bring more attention to the serious issue of child abuse while raising funds to heighten child abuse prevention efforts in our community.”

The rally kicks off at noon Friday and continues through the next day. Both days will include outdoor music and vendors of food, T-shirts, leather goods and biker gear.

The rally will also feature live entertainment each evening, raffles, door prizes and a silent auction.

“Bikers and non-bikers of all ages are welcome,” said Triplett.

Special events will include biker games, a poker run and an indoor bike show. Christian Motorcyclists Association members from Jackson have volunteered to lead biker games Friday afternoon.

Saturday morning will feature a poker run, sponsored by ABATE – American Bikers Active Toward Education. The route will include parts of downtown Vicksburg and some of Warren County’s winding roads. Along the way, bikers will make five stops, collecting a playing card at each. Upon returning to the rally, the biker with the best poker hand wins.

“The winner will get a prize, but we’re not saying what that prize is,” Triplett said.

“There won’t be another organized activity to take bikers away from the rally, but we expect a lot of bikers will want to go out on their own to tour the city,” she added.

Saturday afternoon will feature a bike show, with six competition categories – cruiser, touring, sport, antique, trike and custom, with both cash and other prizes. A Best in Show award will be given.

As part if its mission to support children and families, The Exchange Club of Vicksburg also funds student and youth awards such as the ACE Award – Accepting the Challenge of Excellence.

“The ACE Award is to recognize high school students who have had to overcome physical, emotional, or social obstacles and are now eligible for high school graduation,” Ray said.

Local winners receive a scholarship of at least $250 and move into consideration for state and national Exchange Club awards of up to $10,000.