Start the Cycle board members Erich Petushek, left, and Tom Shaw converse at the 7th annual Rock ‘n’ Roll Rock ‘n’ Roll Dance Party fundraiser at the Elks Lodge 405 in Marquette Saturday evening. The Non-profit organization helps at-risk youth build confidence and self-esteem by training for the Ore to Shore bike race in August. (Journal photo by Corey Kelly)

MARQUETTE — Start The Cycle, a youth mountain biking program, hosted its seventh annual Rock ‘n’ Roll Dance Party fundraiser at the Elks Lodge 405 in Marquette Saturday evening.

The non-profit organization helps at-risk youth build confidence and self-esteem by training for the Ore to Shore bike race in August.

“This is our biggest fundraiser that we do to buy equipment for the all of the kids,” Laura MacDonald, president of the board, explained. “We just come out to celebrate that our season is starting.”

Participants had the chance to win raffles prizes and a Trek 1120 touring bike, dance to music provided by The Maynards, eat burgers from Java Bay or get a henna tattoo from Behennaed henna body artist Kristianna Harris Pfaffle. All proceeds from the evening went to Start the Cycle.

“We are just so thankful for all the volunteers,” MacDonald said. “To put something together, it takes a lot of hands and if you look around, we’ve got a lot of hands.”

This year Start the Cycle will help18 new riders and 22 return riders train for the Ore to Shore with weekly summer meetings and guidance from local mentors.

Riders are given all the gear needed to compete in the race successfully, a bike, hydration pack, jersey and helmet.

If participants finish the race, they get to keep their gear so the following year they can return and continue the cycle.