NATCHEZ &045; For some people, this weekend was about more than balloons; it was about motorcycles.

Seeing all of the motorcycles in town this weekend, some people might have mistaken the balloon race for a balloon and bike weekend.

&uot;I have a feeling this may become the balloon and motorcycle event,&uot; said Kinnie Gibson, a motorcyclist and balloon pilot.

However, it is not officially so, even though there were more than 30 motorcycles in town during the weekend.

This year, as in the two years before, some of the motorcyclists have taken on some extra passengers &045; children from the Natchez Children’s Home.

&uot;This is a huge display of affection,&uot; said Nancy Hungerford, director of the Natchez Children’s Home.

For years, Curves for Women, a fitness center franchise, has helped the home in many ways &045; donating money, tethering a balloon on the site and giving motorcycle rides.

&uot;The kids enjoyed the tethering of the balloon but they love motorcycles,&uot; said Gary Heavin, CEO and founder of Curves.

More than 30 motorcycles rode down Union Street, making a noisily grand entrance into the driveway of the home Saturday morning.

The riders, some balloonists and some from a motorcycle group Dream Riders that works with children, took all 14 residents of the home on a ride around Natchez.

With helmets, sunglasses and even a leather coat for some of them, the bikers gave the children the full experience as they rode through town.

Through downtown, Under-the-Hill, on John R. Junkin Drive, down Homochitto Street and then back to Union Street and the children’s home, but not before they made the swoop through town twice.

&uot;That will live with them probably a lot longer than it will live with us,&uot; Hungerford said.

The ride has grown from just 12 or 13 bikes in previous years to 31 this past Saturday.

&uot;I lived in a home much like this when I was growing up so it is something in my heart,&uot; Gibson said.

&uot;I think we’ve got something

Š from a little effort from us and some from the Lord Š something kind of fun started.&uot;

This year, the Dream Riders came along to help with the ride. The group, based in northern Mississippi, is a group that helps children.

&uot;We do what we love. We ride motorcycles and help kids,&uot; said Alex McCachren, president of Dream Riders. &uot;It gives us a reason to ride motorcycles.&uot;

The group already works with the Baptist Children’s Village and wants to do more.

The group got involved with the ride in Natchez through Curves; McCachen’s wife works for the company.

&uot;It is great for the kids but I believe these burley motorcycle riders get a lot out of it,&uot; Heavin said.

And after the bikers showed the children one of their hobbies, the children showed them their home.

Gibson said Saturday he hopes the event can grow, saying the group will meet every Saturday of the Great Mississippi River Balloon Race weekend at 10:30 at the Ramada Inn and drive to the children’s home to &uot;build some memories&uot; for the children, as Hungerford said.