Community Corner

Country Stars, Erik Estrada Highlight House of Harley Festival

Don't want to mess with the big Milwaukee event? See the six-day schedule for this secondary bash in Greenfield.

Harley-Davidson fans won’t have to go to Milwaukee to celebrate the motorcycle company’s massive 110th anniversary celebration.

The House of Harley-Davidson on Layton Avenue in Greenfield is expected to draw 250,000 people to its six-day party scheduled for Aug. 28 to Sept. 2.
Suburban Motors Harley-Davidson in Thiensville also will have a major event; plans are still in the works.

“Our staff at the House has been preparing for the 110th anniversary celebration since the 105th festivities in 2008,” House of Harley-Davidson president John Schaller said. “We have developed a plan and event that we believe will provide an experience unlike any other in Milwaukee to truly celebrate all things Harley-Davidson.

“We hope both Harley enthusiasts and residents from across the region, whether they are on a bike or not, can come out and enjoy the celebration.”

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The six-day event, held on the blocked off Layton Avenue between 60th and 64th Streets, will feature daily unique rides, music and a festive atmosphere for enthusiasts of all ages.

Country music artists Chris Cagle and Aaron Lewis, as well as former American Idol contestant Casey James are among the musical acts, and Gov. Scott Walker and Erik Estrada, who played Ponch on CHiPs, are among those leading daily rides from the party.

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All concerts are free to the general public. All commemorative rides are $25 and are capped at 1,000 bikes. In addition, the House of Harley-Davidson will be providing onsite demos, bike fittings and exclusive merchandise for the 110th anniversary.

“You won’t find a more expansive lineup of full-day activities anywhere in Milwaukee,” Schaller added. “This is a celebration of Americana you won’t want to miss.”

To help you start your late-summer planning, the following is a daily schedule for the six-day event:

Wednesday, Aug. 28 – Military Day

  • Gov. Scott Walker will lead a public ride to benefit Fisher House Wisconsin. The Ride begins at the Greenfield High School parking lot and heads to the Civil War Memorial at the Zablocki VA grounds near the Fisher House.
  • James, an up-and-coming country singer who got his start on American Idol, will headline a full day of music.
  • The day will also include a flyover from the Wisconsin wing of the Commemorative Air Force, full service Color Guard, and guests will be able to experience the U.S. Marine Corps’ simulated marksmanship trainer and more.

Thursday, Aug. 29 – Law Enforcement Day

  • Estrada, perhaps best know as Ponch on the television showCHiPs, will lead a public ride to benefit Concerns of Police Survivors. The ride will go to the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Memorial for a bike blessing.
  • There will be a Ponch look-alike contest in the morning with prizes for the best costumes and a chance to meet the real Ponch.
  • Cagle, who has had hit songs like Chicks Dig ItMiss Me Babyand What a Beautiful Day, is the headline performer.
  • The day will also feature a marksmanship competition, K9 unit demonstrations, SWAT team trucks and more.

Friday, Aug. 30 – Firefighter Day

  • Randolph Mantooth, who played Johnny Cage on the 1970s hit show Emergency!, will lead a ride to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association of Milwaukee. The ride will go to the Milwaukee lakefront for a firefighter display.
  • Lewis, the lead singer of Staind who is now a country recording artist, will bring his songs Country Boy and Endless Summer to the stage in the headlining performance.

Saturday, Aug. 31

  • Latin American riders are invited to enter their bikes in a Harlista Bike Show competition, with cash prizes awarded based on spectator voting.
  • Internationally renowned Beatles cover band The Britains headline a full day of live music and more.

Sunday, Sept. 1 – Women Rider’s Day

  • An open ride at 2 p.m. will benefit the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation of Southeast Wisconsin. The ride will head to Milwaukee’s lakefront and back; all participants receive a commemorative pink 110th anniversary t-shirt.
  • There will be a personalized pink balloon release party, along with food and drinks.
  • Vendors will offer pink hair extensions, pink photos and more.

Monday, Sept. 2

  • Culminating the six-day event will be a ride to Miller Park for a Milwaukee Brewers game. The ride is $25 and includes breakfast, the ride, parking and a ticket.
  • A pancake breakfast begins at 10 a.m. at House of Harley until 11:30 a.m., followed by the ride.
  • Registration is available online and onsite at House of Harley with only a limited number of tickets available.

For more information or to register for the rides, call 877-518-4643 or visit www.houseofharley.com.


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