NATCHEZ &045; About 400 motorcycles and hundreds of spectators showed up for the fourth annual River Cities Air Show and Motorcycle Extravaganza at Natchez-Adams Airport held on Saturday.

The event, which will continue today, is held every year to raise money for non-profit organizations and the less fortunate in the community.

The American Bikers Active Toward Education (ABATE) Natchez chapter is hosting the event and this year will donate 100 percent of the profits to local volunteer fire departments of both Adams County and Concordia Parish.

“This is our organization’s opportunity to aid in educating our community about the volunteer fire departments and the many services they provide us with,” ABATE Area Director Teresa Domangue said.

The day consisted of a motorcycle parade, musical performances and a raffle to win two R/T Scooters.

The highlight of the day appeared to be the aerobatic and motorcycle stunts, as adults and children gathered around a track to view the excitement.

The smell of burnt tires filled the air as the Road Hazard Extreme Team spun the front wheel of their motorcycle tire as the motorcycle aerobatics began. The team was established in 1998 and hails from Hazard, Ky.

Cody Phillips, 8, of Columbia, La., watched the motorcycle team and said he also likes riding his dirt bike.

“I like to do the doughnuts with it,” Phillips said.

The air show started about 1 p.m. with two-seater airplanes zooming across the sky and then plunging to the ground and pulling up at the last minute.

Lonnie Kimble of Jarreau, La., was interested in the air show because he is currently trying to attain a pilot’s license. After Kimble earns his pilot’s license, he plans to build up some flying hours and then work for a commercial airline.

Staff working the air show said they did not have the total number of spectators who attended Saturday but said everything was running smoothly and still have plenty of entry tickets.

“It’s not as big as last year, but maybe because of the car show and arts in the park,” spectator Cindy Walter of Vidalia, La., said, noting that other events were going on elsewhere in the Miss-Lou.

The event will continue today at 9 a.m. and admission is $10 for ages 13 and older and free for those 12 and younger.