Ferris State University expects to welcome approximately 700 guests, including 500 cyclist participants, as the 35th annual Wish-A-Mile Bicycle Tour stops on the Big Rapids campus Friday, July 29, from Traverse City, through Saturday, July 30, when they depart for Grand Ledge.

The activity starts Friday evening and increases early Saturday as participants and their supports begin and continue arriving. The tour starts on Thursday, July 28, in Traverse City and ends on Sunday, July 31, in Marshall. Approximately 200 people will sleep inside the Student Recreation Center and the newly renamed David L. Eisler Center formerly named the University Center. Another 200 will set up and sleep in tents outside those campus facilities.

The Wish-A-Mile Bicycle Tour serves as the largest fundraising event for Make-A-Wish Michigan. WAM cyclists support raising funds for Michigan children with critical illnesses and wishes. The organization notes that nearly 800 Michigan kids await their wishes to come true through community support.

Riders and their support teams can prepare for the leg from Big Rapids to Grand Ledge with breakfast for 600 to 700-plus starting at 4:30 a.m. Saturday, July 30, in the David L. Eisler Center. All campus-based WAM 300 tour activities conclude by 8 a.m.

The WAM tour concludes at the Eaton Proving Grounds, in Marshall, on Sunday, July 31, for the Heroes Hurrah, a celebration from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.