TYRONE — Officials hope to surpass 500 riders for this year’s Freedom Ride, a bicycle ride to celebrate the Fourth of July.

More than 400 riders participated in last year’s event.

The event, now in its 15th year as a nonprofit, has grown since its beginning.

“It started as a bike ride among friends and has turned into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit where the funds benefit the veterans served at the James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center,” said event spokesman John Harlow, retired chief of public affairs at the medical center and now Tyrone mayor.

After last year’s event, a check was presented to the VA for $40,000 and “we hope to match or increase it this year,” Harlow said.

The proceeds from previous Freedom Rides have been used to upgrade a Mini-Bus that helps the veterans in wheelchairs be able to get out of the medical center. They have provided a trip to the Raystown Proud Mary, update the Victory Garden and take the veterans on a trip to visit the Flight 93 Memorial, Harlow said.

The ride starts at the Tyrone American Legion, goes through Tyrone to DelGrosso’s Park and back to the legion — a distance of about 10 miles.

Angie Whetstine of Tyrone and her family have been participating in the event since 2018.

“My grandparents, father, uncle and husband are all veterans. This is a great cause to give back to our veterans when our country doesn’t do enough for veterans,” Whetstine said. “The streets of Tyrone are filled. It is really cool to see the energy, the colors of the flags. It is a great way to kick off the Fourth of July.”

Patrick McNelis, now of Bellwood, said he has participated in Freedom Ride every year since it’s been a nonprofit event.

“It is a blast, I look forward to it each year. It is not only fun, but is close to my heart with dad being a veteran,” McNelis said.

Harlow said nothing special is planned to mark America250.

“Freedom Ride is about celebrating America every day. Dress up like Uncle Sam, wear red, white and blue and we are looking forward to a great turnout,” he said.

Registration — $20 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under — starts at 9 a.m. and the ride starts at 10 a.m.

Pre-registration is at FreedomRideUSA.com. You can register the day of the event but are not guaranteed a t-shirt.

There is no minimum age to participate, but children should be accompanied by an adult. The event will be held rain or shine.

Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 814-946-7467.