This weekend was the 105th Anniversary of the Harley-Davidson Motor Company and was celebrated in style with great music, great people watching, phenomenal Wisconsin late-summer weather and a few cold beers. Tony and I took in a few of the events as we rode around town on his Harley.
A throaty roar signaled the arrival of 1000’s of Harley-Davidson motorcycles into Milwaukee from 105 starting points across the country as bikers completed their “Ride Home”. Most bikers rode into town on two wheels, but some took a more leisurely trip and trailered their bikes behind trucks, SUV’s or enormous motorhomes. The events kicked off on Wednesday with a giant block party at Harley’s downtown headquarters.
THURSDAY
Thursday night we joined the party at Miller Park where the Harley Owners Group (H.O.G. – yes, that is where the term “hogs” comes from) was celebrating 25 years. We parked offsite, but walking near the ball park it was a sea of motorcycles. This is a picture of one of the smaller parking lots!
THURSDAY
Thursday night we joined the party at Miller Park where the Harley Owners Group (H.O.G. – yes, that is where the term “hogs” comes from) was celebrating 25 years. We parked offsite, but walking near the ball park it was a sea of motorcycles. This is a picture of one of the smaller parking lots!
A huge stage was erected at one side of the lot and Sugarland was playing as we arrived. The food and beer lines were long, but everyone was pretty patient and it was fun to meet someone from a faraway place. We saw HOG members from Ireland, Brazil, Spain and Australia and too many states to mention here while we stood in line and walked around the venue. By the size of the crowds, we think they underestimated how many people would attend this event (it was FREE and open only to members and one guest). Kid Rock was the headline act and we stayed around to see about half his concert before we left for the night to beat the crowd.
FRIDAY
Friday night we headed down to the Summerfest grounds for the first day of the Harley sponsored events. Another picture from the parking lot…I liked the cycle with the American and Marine Corp. flags.
Six stages of the Summerfest grounds were filled with bands for the Harley riders to enjoy. We crowded near the Miller Lite Stage with everyone else (at least it seemed like it) to party to the music of ZZ Top. OK, who thinks those beards are really real? We danced and sang along with the crowd to “Cheap Sunglasses”, then fought our way out to stroll through the grounds on the most beautiful summer night. Los Lonely Boys were playing at another stage and we ended up watching Foghat play – man, that brought back memories of high school! Some of the members are new, but the sound is exactly the same!
This picture of the Harley stage and the crowds below is taken from the Sky Glider. You may be able to see the tall US Bank building in the back with the Harley orange lights and the Northwestern Mutual building with “HD” in lights. Everyone wanted to get in the game!
This picture of the Harley stage and the crowds below is taken from the Sky Glider. You may be able to see the tall US Bank building in the back with the Harley orange lights and the Northwestern Mutual building with “HD” in lights. Everyone wanted to get in the game!
SATURDAY
This was the day I have been waiting for all year. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band were headlining at today’s party at the lakefront. A special concert area was put up in Veteran’s Park for a Foo Fighters concert on Friday evening and a Springsteen concert on Saturday night.
We arrived at the lakefront late in the afternoon and here were our first sights.
This was the day I have been waiting for all year. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band were headlining at today’s party at the lakefront. A special concert area was put up in Veteran’s Park for a Foo Fighters concert on Friday evening and a Springsteen concert on Saturday night.
We arrived at the lakefront late in the afternoon and here were our first sights.
Motorcycles everywhere and, like snowflakes, no two alike!
Some German riders enjoying the view.
Our beautiful art museum with the Calatrava brise de soleil. The wings were open on such a fabulous day.
Happy concert goers…Steve and Carol Raasch are not Harley riders, but are Springsteen fans and joined us for the fun.
The concert was phenomenal...the band took the stage to the sounds of Harleys revving in the background (VROOM, VROOM) and Bruce shouting out, "Good evening, harley-Davidson motorcycle enthusiasts!" A scorching "Gypsy Biker" was the first song of the evening."...any bar band worth its salt has gotta know this one," as Bruce showed the band and audience a creative sign that he had picked out of the crowd. Moments later the band started "Wooly Bully" to the delight of the crowd!
Some of my favorites made the setlist - Darkness on the Edge of Town, Badlands, Born to Run, Thunder Road, Tenth Avenue Freeze-out, and Rosalita as one of the encores. Toward the end of the show, the screen behind the band began to show a series of photos of Bruce on various Harleys he has owned in his lifetime. After 30 songs the band ended the night with Steppenwolf's "Born to be Wild" and the crowd went absolutely crazy.
The final show of their most recent tour and the longest at 3 1/2 hours was a great way to celebrate Harley's Birthday! I have always loved Springsteen and he is phenomenal live in concert. We were absolutely exhausted after standing and dancing and clapping and singing for 3 1/2 hours. Don't know how they do it!
SUNDAY/MONDAY
Rest and recovery...
There is a great article I found online that captures some of the essence of Harley.
http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2008/09/03/harley-davidsons-105-anniversary-a-lesson-in-customer-loyalty/
http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2008/09/03/harley-davidsons-105-anniversary-a-lesson-in-customer-loyalty/
If you would like to read the Milwaukee music critics review of the Springsteen concert, check out this JSonline.com link:
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=789421
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=789421
