Get your motor running and head out on the highway for the March of Dimes’ annual Bikers for Babies event that benefits programs to combat premature babies and birth defects.

Now in its eighth year, Bikers for Babies is a three-day event where local bikers join together to celebrate Halloween, enjoy a bike and car show, and participate in the headlining 35-mile drive throughout Lee County.

More than half a million babies are born premature every year and thousands more with birth defects. Since 1981 the number of premature births has increased by 30 percent and today it is estimated that one-in-every-eight children are born premature.

Bikers for Babies is one in a number of events organized by the March of Dimes to raise money for research and education.

According to the March of Dimes, more than 45,000 bikers and 250 motorcycle clubs across the United States participate in the event. Participating motorcycle clubs include the Riders of Kawasaki, Harley Owners Group, American Gold Wing Association, Iron Pigs and more.

Seventy-six percent of the funds raised from Bikers for Babies goes to programs that help prevent birth defects and infant mortality. The remaining 24 percent goes to March of Dimes management and fundraising activities.

To raise money for the March of Dimes, Tiffany Esposito, spokesperson for the Bikers for Babies event, explained that participants register and get friends and families to sponsor them. Bikers are $30 per person and passengers are $20.

The main event on Sunday, Nov. 2, will include a 35-mile police escorted ride from North Collier Regional Park through Bonita and Fort Myers’ beaches, down Old McGregor and ending at Harley Davidson of Fort Myers on Colonial Boulevard.

Registration for the event will open at the Harley dealership on Halloween night. The bikers will dress up for a Hogoween party on Friday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and will be judged for the “best costume” contest.

On Saturday morning there will be a “Fun Ride,” where local bikers will ride from one of three Bob Evans’ locations in Lee and Collier counties to the Harley dealership which will host “Bike Night” later that night, featuring a “tattoo contest” and a Bike, Trike, Truck and Car show.

For more information or to register for the event, visit the Bikers for Babies official Web-site at www.bikersforbabiesflorida.com