Searls Park will host Rockford's premier BMX race this Friday through Sunday

Up to 800 cyclists and 5,000 fans will converge on Searls Park this weekend for the biggest event of the season for Rockford BMX.

This is the 38th year that the Midwest Nationals will be held in Rockford at 4950 Safford Road. The races will begin at 1:30 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. Sunday and race well into the evening. Parking is $10 per day. In some years, as many as 1,500 cyclists have competed in this event.

Last year, racers were as young as 2 years old and as old as 75.

“People come from all over, not just Illinois. They come from California and Arizona,” said Candy Karau, who has operated Rockford’s track with her husband for 40 years. “This is a very popular National. They love our track. They love what we do. We have been fighting the weather all week but we are in good shape.”

The July 19-21 event is one of 30 BMX Nationals around the country and one of the most popular. Rockford hosts weekly races, usually on Sundays, from April until the end of October, including the state championships last year. But this is its biggest event.

Garrett Rapp, the publications director for Rockford BMX, said three local riders are world-ranked and will compete: Kaylie Cerasa, Heather Collman and Zayden Bruckenier.

“All three competed in the World Championships in South Carolina two months ago and made it to the final,” Rapp said. “That earned them a 'W' on their plates for a world ranking, which is a big thing.”

Janelle Brannock, a spokesperson for USA BMX, said: “You are going to see a lot of riders across a lot of different ages and skill levels doing a lot of exciting riding. It’s one of the most exhilarating things you can watch as a spectator.”