It started out as a rumble here and there, but by Thursday, the number of motorcycle enthusiasts at the ABATE Freedom Park in Algona was well over 1,000 with a steady stream roaring up 160th Avenue.

For one weekend, the population of Algona will nearly triple.

“We’ll see our biggest numbers on Friday,” said Polly Hadley, the gate chief for ABATE of Iowa. “We’re hoping to break 10,000 this year.”

Hadley has been involved in the Freedom Rally, the main fundraiser for ABATE’s education programs, for 25 years. This year is the 26th Freedom Rally.

ABATE stands for A Brotherhood Aimed Toward Education, and providing funding for education to motorcycle riders, emergency service personnel, drivers and state and national legislators is what the three day event held over the Fourth of July is all about.

“I believe what ABATE stands for,” said Janet Berte, an Algona native and a volunteer at the rally for about 15 years. “Everyone here started volunteering because we believe in it.”

The programs include Share the Road, intended to reduce the number of accidents between motor vehicle drivers and motorcyclists; motorcycle rider education; accident scene management, and Two Wheel Trauma, which teaches emergency medical personnel how to respond to motorcycle crashes. ABATE encourages helmet wearing, but does not endorse laws to enforce helmet wearing.

“It’s not about making safer crashes,” said Phil McCormick, ABATE of Iowa state coordinator. “It’s about making it safer to ride.”

But education aside, the rally is about fun as games, food and music are featured in the former elk pasture which includes about 140 wooded acres for camping.

During the day Jess Tepner of Bode and “Scary” Jerry Meyers of Garner keep things exciting with bike rodeo games, tug-of-wars and races. Friday night featured Uriah Heep. ABATE is the only bike rally Uriah Heep is playing in 2010.

Saturday featured a country music double header with John Michael Montgomery opening for Sammy Kershaw. Fireworks will follow.

Dan Davis of Des Moines and Larry Riedel of Rowan have attended the rally since its beginning.

“It used to be about being as close to the music as we could get,” said Riedel. “Now we camp on the hill like a couple of old buzzards and watch everything going on. We come here for the games and the people.”

“It’s all about the people,” said Hadley. “Some of my best friends are people I only see here at the Rally.”