The 2023 Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival, a record-breaking party rocked Milwaukee, celebrating 120 years of the Bar and Shield.
The Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival revved up Milwaukee from July 13th to 16th, setting new records with a celebration of 120 years of moto culture. The event attracted motorcycle enthusiasts from around the globe, making it the biggest music-and-moto extravaganza of the summer so far.
The Harley-Davidson Museum was a hub of action as Bike Night kicked off the festivities on Thursday. Over 73,000 bikes lined the museum grounds and Sixth Street throughout the weekend. Attendees relished food trucks, Flat Out Friday Boonie Bike races, motorcycle displays, and demo rides featuring the LiveWire and Stacyc electric vehicles. The Division BMX Stunt Show, custom and vintage motorcycle displays, and evening musical performances kept the excitement alive.
One of the festival’s highlights was the headlining performances at Veterans Park on the Milwaukee Lakefront. Green Day rocked the stage on July 14th, followed by the Foo Fighters on July 15th, drawing an incredible 80,000 moto and music enthusiasts. Before the epic headliners took over, performers like Abby Jeanne, KennyHoopla, Phantogram, The Cult, Ghost Hounds, White Reaper, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, and Cody Jinks set the crowd on fire with their electric shows.
But the festivities continued; the event offered much more to entertain visitors. Nitro Circus thrilled the massive crowd with a freestyle motocross show, while the Ives Brothers’ Wall of Death & Ball of Steel left spectators in awe. The Burger Build-Off, hosted by renowned chef Matty Matheson, served culinary delights.
The Harley-Davidson Powertrain Operations in Menomonee Falls welcomed visitors with demos of 2023 Harley-Davidson motorcycles, factory tours, and Police Skills Riding Demonstrations, showcasing the brand’s engineering prowess.
Six Ride-In routes led to Milwaukee, connecting riders from various parts of North America. With daily stops at authorized Harley-Davidson dealerships, riders could mingle with fellow enthusiasts and indulge in local food trucks.
Enthusiasts got an exclusive sneak peek at the 2023 CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide models. The unveiling occurred in the Harley-Davidson Museum Garage area, with demos at the Company’s Powertrain Operations facility.
Not to be outdone, six Harley-Davidson dealerships in the Milwaukee area hosted their events and entertainment. The dealerships added vibes to the grand celebration, from House of Harley-Davidson and Milwaukee Harley-Davidson to Suburban Motors Harley-Davidson and others.
The grand finale came on Sunday with the Harley-Davidson 120th Anniversary Parade. With 7,000 motorcycles parading through Downtown Milwaukee, a spectacular sight received cheers and waves from adoring enthusiasts lining Wisconsin Avenue.
Next year’s Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival has already been announced for July 25-28, 2024.
Ramble on, ramblers.
About The Author
Discover more from SportBikes Inc Magazine
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.