Coming home
From August 29th to September 1st, Milwaukee celebrated 110 years of Harley-Davidson and 30 years of the Harley Owners Group
· The biggest 110th anniversary party of the year
· 100,000 bikers from all over the world in Milwaukee
· Aerosmith, Kid Rock and 58 other music greats on five stages
· Big parade with 7,000 bikes through the streets of Milwaukee
Anyone who didn't know that Harley-Davidson 110th birthday this year and that the Harley Owners Group is turning 30 has most likely spent the last twelve months on a deserted island. Everyone else probably knows that 2013 is all about special anniversaries for the Milwaukee brand. Celebrations took place around the globe - with countless parties on every continent and major major events in Goa, Auckland, Daytona, Melbourne, Margate, Zhejiang, Mexico City and Sao Paulo, Rome and Sturgis.
But one party topped them all: the mega party in Milwaukee , the hometown of the Motor Company, where Messrs. Harley and Davidson completed their first three roadworthy motorcycles .
From August 29th to September 1st, Harley-Davidson invited all friends of the brand to where it all began. Men and women of all ages were there, all nationalities were represented - peacefully united in a shared passion for “their” brand. The fans had organized impressive tours to Milwaukee, and the characteristic “Potatoe” sound filled the entire city including its access roads.
There were around 100,000 bikers in the city. Meanwhile, the 300,000 m² Henry Maier Festival Park on the shores of Lake Michigan been transformed into a first-class party zone: food and drinks from 43 regional restaurants and every imaginable 110th anniversary souvenir as far as the eye could see.
The 110th Signing Wall, a special women's area, the custom bike show, and exhibitions of current and historical models rounded off the offering. Special event areas including a lounge were reserved for members of the Harley Owners Group, the largest customer association in the world supported by a motorcycle manufacturer.
The wide spectrum of 60 bands that rocked out on five stages ranged from Aerosmith to ZZ Top Blue Oyster Cult, Cheap Trick, the Doobie Brothers, John Fogerty, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Toby Keith, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Uncle Kracker, among others, gave a powerful boost
A very special highlight was the performance of Kid Rock , who was rebellious and authentic with his unique mix of different musical styles and was enthusiastically celebrated Harley-Davidson
The Harley-Davidson Museum was another event location with lots of fun and action related to the history of the brand. The longest “Bike Night” in the world was celebrated here on Friday night. As the weekend approached, the residents finally experienced their city in a state of emergency with a simmering V-Twin fever, and they exuberantly celebrated the spirit of freedom, individualism and non-conformism with their guests.
The celebrations didn't just take place at the designated party area. There were impromptu block parties all over the city where residents joined guests from all over the world to celebrate the 110th anniversary of “their” Harley-Davidson brand.
The icing on the cake of the event was the large motorcycle parade of 7,000 bikes through downtown Milwaukee , which was attended by numerous Harley managers and guests of honor. The remaining participants were selected by lottery.
A party like this can only happen once. Further impressions of the fascinating orange and black weekend in Milwaukee can be found at www.hogeuropegallery.com .
the party season n't over yet with the super festival in Milwaukee European Bike Week starts on September 3rd and will cover Carinthia and especially the picturesque Faaker See Harley-Davidson fever until September 8th Here too, thousands of fans will celebrate their brand with friends from all over the world.
Text and images copyright Harley-Davidson 2013