Thousands Gather For Harley Parade

(AP)  Thousands of people lined a parade route Saturday as Harley-Davidson riders from around the world revved their engines, waved flags and threw candy to the crowd for the iconic motorcycle company's 105th anniversary.

About 7,500 motorcycles sparkled in the sunshine as they growled along the 4.5-mile route by Lake Michigan.

Vannettsa Valentine of Milwaukee watched the parade and slapped hands with many bikers.

"I've lost count of where they all come from," she said. "I wanted to welcome them to Milwaukee."

More than 100,000 people were expected in Milwaukee for the celebration, which included activities at the new Harley-Davidson Museum and a Saturday night performance by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.

Harley-Davidson Inc. spokesman Jerry Gleason said the riders were randomly selected from among people who bought celebration tickets before December.

Riders came from overseas as well as the United States, many festooning their bikes with their home countries' flags. Others wore costumes, including Batman. The 158 police and sheriff's troopers participating included officers from as far away as Italy.

Among the lead riders was Willie G. Davidson, grandson of a Harley-Davidson founder and the company's chief styling officer.

The celebration started Thursday and ends Sunday.

[honestabe8]

Although it is not necessarily from an unimpeachable source, Wikipedia said that the "riots" were at the annual 4th of July celebration....in 1947

[marksy9]

Dear Mygamma, I don''t remember the Hollister "riots", but that wasn''t the Hell''s Angels it was the Boozefighters Motorcycle Club.

[aerhed]

Yah, Just got done playing guitar for the Bandidos last weekend at Moab. I have never played a better, more energetic gig. Absolutely no trouble. No loudmouths, no puffy kids tryin to be tough, NO fights, no friction. Great gathering. Now if only the jeep people would act as civil we''d be set. The stupid unicyclers cause more trouble!

[favrenot]

Amazing. The ignorance of some individuals who haven''t a clue. The depiction of Harley riders as drug thugs is almost funny. Sure there are some, as in every class and group. Yes there are motorcycle gangs, again, as there are in many groups. My experience with the Harley riders I know is this: My best and most responsible and loved project manager an A-1 guy, an insurance executive that owns her own businesses and her husband who is a top toy designer for an international company, a retired CEO of a very successful construction firm, and yes one individual who isn''t a super success story but still is a decent man. Good people each and every one of them. Get a clue and lose the stereotype. The vast majority of riders are regular people, good regular down to earth people. Instead of the jealous whining take a look around and get the real story. And no, I do not own or ride a bike, I simply can attest to the quality of the people I know who do.

[eddom949]

I''m sure people can ride Harley''s without hostility, but unfortunately this has not been my experience. It sounds fun until they talk about their culture which seems to involve loud mufflers and women with pretty rear ends.

[paris15]

My guess is that marcpcBS is a Bush Republican and sees all those Harley riders as Democrats & Atheists (prolly the former, doubtful the latter), but, they''re all the same to him. Glad I''m not him!

[mygramma]

Probably not many left who remember when scuz balls on Harleys invaded and terrorized Holister California. Hell''s Angels anyone? They made a movie out of it with Marlon Brando, and it wasn''t based on fiction and it wasn''t pretty. A few of us still associate Harleys with the scum bags who rode them. Bikers in recent years have worked hard to erase that image, but for me it will never go away.

[honestabe8]

marcpcbs has a serious issue with drugs. i wonder if he has the same issue with booze.

[marksy9]

Gee Mr. Marcpcbs who peed in your wheaties? when was the last time you rode with 300 bikes to raise money for Ronald McDonald House, or the Family of a fallen Police Offier, or a child with special needs, or someone with cancer and no insurance? Well, we have done that every week-end this summer. And not once did we see the drugged out, low lifes that you evidently ride with. we don''t ride with the same people all the time but we are always welcomed with a hand shake and a smile and alot of American flags strapped on the bikes somewhere. We will say a prayer for you at church this morning in hopes of your life getting a little blessing.

[excoachken]

Everybody is allowed to live out their "fantasies" just as long as they do not hurt someone else. But, perhaps, while "cruising" around Milwaukee, these Peter Fonda wannabees could consider the damage they are doing to the environment and how much less of a beer gut they would have if they got off their "Hogs" and started walking or even jogging for charity. Just a thought---- so don''t let it get your leather panties in a twist.