Hundred Years Of Hog Heaven

The roar of 10,000 Harley-Davidsons echoed through the city Saturday as riders wearing everything from jeans and black leather to hog masks, feather boas and even swanky gowns rumbled through town to mark the motorcycle maker's 100th anniversary.

The parade of gleaming Harleys of all varieties was as much a tapestry of red, white and blue as the motorcycle icon's signature orange and black.

One Harley rider festooned his bike with a bunch of orange, black and white balloons. Another rigged his motorcycle to carry at least two dozen American flags of varying sizes - a sight that earned cheers and applause from the thousands who lined the 8-mile route through the heart of Milwaukee to the Lake Michigan shoreline.
American flags and Harley banners streamed behind many of the motorcycles, while flags from as far away as Brazil, Australia and Great Britain fluttered on the backs of others.

"It just shows the diversity of people, how they can get together for a celebration like the Harley-Davidson anniversary," said Bob Boyd, 67, of London, Ontario. "This Canadian feels part of the American spirit. We're family."

Riders gunned their engines, honked their horns and waved to onlookers as the smell of exhaust and the sound of the signature Harley growl filled the air. Many riding on the back of a bike held video cameras. A few stretched out their arms to slap the palms of spectators.

"It was the coolest thing I ever did in my life," said Dennis Smith, 52, from Gurnee, Ill., who rode a 2002 teal-and-silver Deuce.

Willie G. Davidson, a grandson of a Harley-Davidson founder and the company's chief styling officer, led the parade with his wife, Nancy, on a black Electra Glide.

"The route was absolutely jammed, which made us feel like heroes of some sort," Davidson said.

They were followed by riders toting large Harley flags representing riders' clubs from all over the world. Toward the end of the route, riders passed under a banner picturing Harley's four founders, who began making motorcycles in Milwaukee in 1903. Four black-and-orange semis bought up the parade's rear.

The parade was one of the highlights of Harley's four-day anniversary celebration, which also includes motorcycle exhibits, memorabilia sales and live entertainment centered along Lake Michigan's shoreline.

The celebration, expected to draw 200,000 to 300,000 people, concludes Sunday with a 100th birthday party complete with music and fireworks.

Thirteen-year-old Haley Sims of Wauwatosa, Wis., videotaped the parade for her family.

"You can imagine anything, and you'll see it on a bike," she said.

One parade rider showed Wisconsin pride with a yellow bike hooked to a cheese-painted sidecar, whose passenger doffed a cheese-head hat.

Another dressed in a Santa suit and had Mrs. Claus perched behind him. Others wore Viking horns, jester hats, animal-skin caps and Uncle Sam top hats.

Spectators wearing T-shirts and shorts intermingled with leather-clad bikers as they watched from sidewalks, rooftops and parking garages. They waved signs reading: "Happy Hog's Day," "Milwaukee thunder," and "Welcome home Harley-Davidson."

"Nobody else could have a birthday party and get people from all over the world," said Barb Briggs, 50, of Fond du Lac, Wis.

Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson rode a borrowed Harley because his bike was in Washington, D.C., where he works as President Bush's health and human services secretary.

Larry Hagman, of "Dallas" fame, rode a Road King. "You can't miss the 100th anniversary, you know," said Hagman, 71. He's been riding for about 50 years and rode his Road King Saturday. "It was hot and wonderful or wonderful and hot," he said after reaching the end of the route.

Linda Huth, 56, rode in the parade behind her husband Ted Huth, 68, of Charlotte, N.C., on their black Road Glide. They said the experience was emotional, and everyone wanted a high-five.

"You make that turn out of the parking lot and you see the mass of people that are there to wish you to have a good time. The outpouring of emotions from them to us is wonderful," Ted Huth said.

Some of the parade riders were picked because they had raised at least $5,300 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Harley hoped to raise more than $5 million for the group during the Labor Day weekend.

Other riders included representatives from Harley dealerships, Harley workers, members of riding groups and customers.

The parade prompted the Milwaukee County Zoo to keep its more than 2,000 animals inside to protect them from the roar of the Harleys lining up for the parade in its parking lot.

The parade occasionally backed up along its route but caused few problems, except for some traffic snarls on the nearby interstate.

In what was to be an unusual mix, about 3,000 Harley riders were expected for Mass at Holy Hill on Saturday. The outdoor Mass was to include a homily by Archbishop Timothy Dolan and a blessing of bikes and riders.

Northwestern University sociology professor Bernard Beck says there are several reasons for Harley's longevity. He says, "It has speed. It has power. It has machinery." He says it represents the "American-style" of motorcycle.

Beck says the Harley now has a broad appeal. Beck says Harleys were once associated with only the "working-class." But he says they now appeal to the middle and upper classes, as well.