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 How do you begin to describe an event so enormous that you missed more things to see than things you did see? That’s how I felt attending Harley-Davidson’s 105th Celebration in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The 1,400 mile, three day ride included seven hours of riding through the mountains in Tennessee during Hurricane Fay. What fun!
Arriving late Wednesday, August 27th my friends Julie, Johnny and Crystal would guide me around for the next few days. This being my fourth Harley Anniversary trip (90th, 95th & 100th) the first stop was to an incredibly delicious all-you-can-eat BBQ rib dinner at the well off the beaten track Silver Lake Cottage Inn.
From Silver Lake we made a fast dash to the Washington County Fair Park to take in the Lynard Skynard concert. It’s my guess that about 20,000 other folks had the same idea. The grassy meadow in front of the stage was jam packed with HOG’s from all over. It was a great show!
Thursday started with a visit to Hal’s H-D, just a few miles from the hotel. Crystal and I walked around checking out the myriad of vendors until exhaustion set in, it was uncharacteristically hot. We also picked up the first card in the 2008 Milwaukee Rally poker run. After some quick R&R we all headed over to Miller Park(home of the Brewers) and the Harley Stage for the HOG welcome and Opening Ceremonies followed by Kid Rock. Other events at this venue included Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, the Billy Bob Thornton Band and Sugarland. There was also entertainment at the H-D Museum and the Main Street Stage at the Lakefront in addition to the Street Party on Milwaukee Street.
 I was one of the lucky ones who received a ticket to the Harley-Davidson Museum. The museum is set among 20 acres of land surrounded on three sides by the Menomonee River. The 80-foot steel tower and giant Harley-Davidson Bar & Shield logo announce the legendary stories of Harley-Davidson found just inside the front doors. There are more than 400 motorcycles displayed in chronological order, including serial number one, the first motorcycle built in 1903. There’s also a recreation of a 1920’s board track with cornering factory race bikes. Or maybe you’d like to see Elvis Presley’s 1956 KH motorcycle? It’s there! And finally, there’s an extensive and rare collection of vintage riding gear and graphics. I was particularly intrigued by the original sales brochure and replacement parts list. After the museum it was on to the museum’s café and store. I know I did my part in spurring the national economy, the store has everything from Harley Museum T's to Harley paperclips!
We rode around town collecting up poker cards from the House of Harley and Milwaukee H-D. Of course we perused the scads of vendors commensurate with the dealerships. Then it was on to the Summerfest Grounds (aka Henry W. Maier Festival Park). This 90 acre park, adjacent to Lake Michigan, features five stages with name entertainment performing simultaneously on each one. We opted for the ZZ Top show but could have easily settled in for the Black Crowes or Los Lonely Boys. I wouldn’t say it was crowded but we were so far back not only couldn’t we see the performers, we couldn’t even see the video screens set up on both sides of the stage. I think I’ll buy the DVD! While we were at ZZ Top, we weren’t at the Roadhouse at the Lakefront which offered the Foo Fighters. Last stop of the night was Ned’s for pizza, a favorite of the locals.
 Saturday was the big day. I received one of only 7,500 invitations to be in the 4 ˝ mile parade from Miller Field straight through downtown Milwaukee and ending in the VIP parking lot at the Summerfest Grounds. Thousands of people lined the route, cheering, waving American flags, holding up signs with welcome messages, TV stations broadcasting live with media helicopters hovering overhead. What a rush! We left the Summerfest Grounds and collected the fourth poker run card at the Potawatomi Casino. By this time my poker hand was a loser. Still, there was more to come.
This time there was no secret about who Saturday night’s closing act would be. Veteran’s Park was the venue for Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. The gates opened at 5pm for the 8:30pm show. This was the last show of a 50 city national tour and Bruce and the Band didn’t disappoint, performing for almost 3 hours nonstop. The Motor Company received universal praise for its selection of Springsteen.
While many bikers had to depart on Sunday for the ride home, I had the luxury of staying around another day and picking up last minute bargains at some of the vendors. Late in the afternoon I met with Julie & Johnny for ice cream and good byes at Kopps, another local favorite.
With any luck, I’ll see my friends again in Daytona in March and reminisce about the 105th.
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