Bikers on the Square set for Sept.17-18

Perry County residents are no strangers to the roar and rumble of motorcycles, as there are approximately 1,200 registered motorcycles here.
That number will grow on Sept. 17-18 during the ninth annual Bikers on the Square event in downtown Perryville.
“We like to say that it’s a family-friendly event,” Robynne Duvall said. “We also have vendors and bands that come out and perform. It should be a great time.”
“The Bikers on the Square” event coincides with another event, the Missouri Vietnam Wall Run that takes place Saturday, Sept. 18.
“We have a group riding in from Springfield for an event at the MNVM Saturday night,” Duvall said. “We thought we would have less numbers for the truck show, but we actually had more. I don’t know if we should expect to have more or less people, but we will see.”
Duvall expects a group of about 3,000 bikers to come in from Fredericktown with plenty of visitors and be greeted by Tim Chambers, the saluting U.S. Marine. When all those bikes arrive is one of Duvall’s favorite aspects of the events.
“It’s one of the coolest things you will ever see,” she said. “People usually line the square with American Flags. It’s always quite the sight.”
The bikes arrive for a ceremony that features a special guest in Patrick Henry Brady, a retired U.S. Army Major General and Medal of Honor recipient at 1 p.m.

There will be three bands that play throughout the three days, that include ‘Nuff Said on Friday from 7-11 p.m. Then on Saturday, Fat Daddy’s will play from 3-7 p.m. and The Silver Bullet Band, a Bob Seger Tribute Band will follow at 8 p.m.
At that time, there will also be a veteran’s salute where lanterns will be released to honor military members.
“We send them up in the air and they light up,” Duvall said. “I believe we will also sing some patriotic songs.”
It’s things like that which make the event worthwhile, according to Duvall
“The veterans and current military members are the people that allow us to have events like this every year,” Duvall said. “They deserve recognition.”
The money raised will go to Camp Hope in Fredericktown and the Missouri National Veterans Memorial.
“Those two are organizations that are near to our hearts, especially when it comes to the Bikers on the Square event,” Duvall said
No matter how it turns out, Duvall always circles this event on the calendar.
“We’ve tried many things over the years depending on what people like the most,” Duvall said. “I’m really excited to see how the event goes. I always expect it to do well.”