That familiar engine rumble was a constant sound across the Milwaukee area over the weekend as an estimated 200,000 Harley-Davidson motorcycle riders from roughly 50 countries took to the streets in celebration of the iconic brand’s 120th anniversary.
The four-day Homecoming Festival ran Thursday through Sunday, with events at Veterans Park along downtown Milwaukee’s lakefront, the Harley-Davidson Museum in the Menomonee Valley, Harley-Davidson’s powertrain operations in Menomonee Falls and several Harley-Davidson dealerships in the suburbs. Veterans Park was the epicenter of day-long activities and music, including headliners Green Day on Friday night and Foo Fighters on Saturday night.
VISIT Milwaukee estimates the event had an economic impact of $95 million on the Milwaukee area. Going forward, Harley-Davidson intends to host its Homecoming Festival here as an annual event, not just every five years. Next year’s event is set for July 25-28.
See photos from Saturday’s festivities at Veterans Park:
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- The Foo Fighters take the stage.
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- Foo Fighters lead singer Dave Grohl hypes the crowd.
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- Tens of thousands of people attended the show.
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- Attendees congregated in front of the main stage hours before the Foo Fighters’ headline show during Harley-Davidson’s 2023 homecoming festival.
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- BMX stuntman after their performance Saturday.
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- Signage was on display throughout the festival grounds.
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- Brothers Cody and Kyle Ives take on the Ball of Steel.
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- Festival goers pose for a selfie with one of the Ives brothers.
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- Spectators climb to get a better view of the festival grounds and stunt performance.
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- Cody Jinks was among the openers for the Foo Fighters.
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- Concert goers watch Cody Jinks
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- Concert goers cheer for Cody Jinks.
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- One of the bar areas at the Veterans Park festival grounds.
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- A model on display.
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- Restauranteur Matty Matheson hosted a cook-off to create the ultimate burger.
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- Becky Goebel won Matty Matheson’s burger cook-off.
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- 120 anniversary apparel inside Harley’s merch tent.
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- DJ Kev keeps the crowd energized between Cody Jinks and Foo Fighters.
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- A woman tests out a motorcycle model.
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- The front-row crowd at the Foo Fighters concert.
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- The front-row crowd at the Foo Fighters concert.
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- Bikes parked along Lincoln Memorial Drive near Veterans Park.
The 120th anniversary celebration culminated Sunday afternoon with an hour-long parade that saw thousands of bikers make their way through the city. The parade route started at American Family Field and ended at Veterans Park. Harley enthusiasts from nearly every corner of the globe participated in the parade. Several brought along flags representing their home countries, cities, and cultures.
See photos from Sunday’s parade:
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- Spectators lined both sides of Wisconsin Avenue to get a glimpse of the Harley-Davidson 120th anniversary parade.
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- Bikers brought along flags as they made their way along the parade route to let onlookers know where they traveled from.
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- Bikers brought along flags as they made their way along the parade route to let onlookers know where they traveled from.
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- Harley riders from across the globe took part in this year’s homecoming celebration.
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- Harley riders made their way down Wisconsin Avenue, eventually making their way to Milwaukee’s Veterans Park.
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- Spectators lined both sides of Wisconsin Avenue to get a glimpse of the Harley-Davidson 120th anniversary parade.
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- Spectators lined both sides of Wisconsin Avenue to get a glimpse of the Harley-Davidson 120th anniversary parade.
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- All kinds of Harley-Davidson bikes were on display during the homecoming parade.
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- Harley riders from across the globe took part in this year’s homecoming celebration.
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- Harley riders young and old made their way down Wisconsin Avenue on July 16.
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- All kinds of Harley-Davidson bikes were on display during the homecoming parade.
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- Harley riders made their way down Wisconsin Avenue, eventually making their way to Milwaukee’s Veterans Park.
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- Riders turned on to North Prospect Avenue, making their way to Veterans Park.
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- A photographer stands in the middle of parade traffic to capture the perfect shot.
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- Riders passing the Milwaukee County War Memorial.
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- A rider displaying the Mexican flag and a lucha libre mask parades toward Veterans Park.
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- Riders representing Indonesia.
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- Thousands of Harley-Davidson riders gathered in Milwaukee in July 2023 to celebrate the company’s 120th anniversary.
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- Riders displaying a pride flag.
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- The parade ended at Veterans Park.
