The second annual Rides for the Rise: Motor Music Festival is taking place at the Rebich Investments Amphitheater today at Liberty Park from 2:00 pm to 8:00pm. This is centered on giving back to the community and investing in the city’s youth. The second annual Rides for the Rise brought families, volunteers, and local performers together for an afternoon organizers say is rooted in community impact and creating more support for young people in Erie.
Lanisha Chimeti with the organization tells us that while turnout was smaller than expected due to the weather, the mission remains the same: investing in children, offering guidance, and building positive spaces for the next generation.
“There needs to be more emphasis on trying to help children. The children really are our future, so our goal is to assist with programs that are already established. We do not need to reinvent the wheel and try to come up with another plan. We just want to help the people who are already doing what they’re doing have more revenue to keep doing what they’re doing. Keep growing and keep helping our city progress,” Lanisha Chimeti, the treasurer for Save the Youth 814, shared.
Community members say showing up matters, and events like this help keep kids connected to positive influences.
“The Teamsters Horsemen, they like to support local events, especially the kids. We do the Shriners ride every year. We do a couple of things, so we like to support these kinds of things when they’re around,” Phil Cotey, a rider with Teamsters Horsemen, explained.
And for the kids who came out, the music, activities, and chance to meet new people made the day feel welcoming.
“We have to do all sorts of activities like the bouncy houses, drinks, and trying new things,” Genesi said.
“A lot of people are coming together. Maybe you’ll see family around and stuff and lots of different stuff going on and get to try new things too,” Katiana explained.
“Rides for the Rise will keep growing because investing in the next generation is what this event is all about,” Stephanie Logue reported.