Hundreds of three-wheeled Spyders are creeping around the Ozarks for the world’s largest Spyder motorcycle rally underway in Springfield.

A record of 1,500 people are registered for Spyderfest, an event that includes seminars and activities at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds along with various “rydes” around the region through Sunday.

Activities at the fairgrounds are open to the public, said Len Damouth, owner of Pitbull PowerSports and an organizer of the event. The group also will be raising money for veterans’ organizations and Big Brothers/Big Sisters.

Damouth added that the rain in the forecast won’t stop the festivities. “Hopefully it misses us,” he said. “You never know. We’ll just keep going regardless.”

While in Springfield, attendees are expected to generate about 2,000 room nights at hotels and  spend more than $1.3 million in the city, said Dana Maugans, sales director at the Convention & Visitors Bureau.

“It’s always fun to see the brightly colored spyders rolling into the city,” Maugans said. “We appreciate that Springfield has been the host city for the past few years.”

This is one of many group events the Convention & Visitors Bureau assists. The CVB is a nonprofit marketing agency dedicated to improving the local economy through growth in travel and tourism. For more information, call 417-881-5300 and visit www.SpringfieldMo.org.

For more information about Spyderfest, visit www.spyderfest.com or call Pitbull PowerSports at 417-863-1418.