The winner takes it all
Harley-Davidson invited two Germans to the company's 110th birthday in Milwaukee
• The main winners in the HD competition come from Chemnitz
• The two Germans enjoy street parties, the parade and Kid Rock
A little later, Fat Boy rider Oliver and his girlfriend Rica had forgotten that they got a pin with a winning number at the Harley-Davidson Open House But when Oliver received a call from Harley-Davidson at the beginning of June, the man from Chemnitz took his breath away. His pin number had been drawn and he had won the grand prize: a trip for two to the 110th Anniversary in Milwaukee , USA . “We couldn't really believe it until we had the tickets in our hands,” admits the 42-year-old, who boarded a 747 with his partner on August 28 that carried the couple across the pond.
in Milwaukee was a visit to a Harley factory.
Here the Germans learned how a V-twin is made and saw an entire city in a party mood: the party was just as fierce in front of the factory as it was in the streets of the metropolis. The Motor Company then invited Oliver and Rica on a fascinating journey through time into the company's 110-year history: The couple found the Harley-Davidson Museum “simply crazy,” in which around 8,000 exhibits can be seen on 12,000 m². Here the two of them counted down to the official start of the birthday party until 6 p.m. sharp.
A personal highlight for Oliver was the personal encounter with the founder's grandson Willie G. Davidson, who warmly welcomed the Germans to the USA. Afterwards, the two of them – regardless of jet lag, jet lag not – simply couldn't help but celebrate wildly; after all, neither the roar of the engine nor the party died down at night. In bars, at intersections and simply in front of building entrances, Milwaukee celebrated the first 110 years of the company with guests from all over the world, of which every resident of this city is visibly proud.
The winners spent the next day on the large festival grounds on the shores of Lake Michigan, where there was a lot going on in the catering and shopping areas during the day and Aerosmith rocked the main stage in the evening. For Oliver and Rica, the last day was also marked by the big parade, in which 7,000 Harley riders chosen by lot cruised through Milwaukee for around an hour and a half. Men and women of all ages, skin colors and nations were represented. In classic biker outfits, colorful national costumes or flashy costumes, they presented themselves and their machines, which came from almost all eras of the 110-year history .
“A real family reunion and almost a bit like carnival,” sums up Rica, who stood along with Oliver and thousands of other onlookers to applaud the armada of chrome and steel in a sea of thumbs up and hands outstretched in the “gimme five”.
The day flew by: After a visit to the dealer party at the “House of Harley” , Milwaukee Kid Rock was already waiting for the Germans and a few thousand other fans. The people of Chemnitz found his synthesis of southern rock, hip hop and country “brilliant”. With “Born free” and “All summer long” in our ears, we went back home – bringing with us countless impressions of an extraordinary birthday event that neither Oliver nor Rica will ever forget.
September 24, 2013 Text & Images Copyright: Harley-Davidson 2013
