Thousands of Thundering bikes rumble thru Milwaukee for Harley Davidson 110th Anniversary Parade

One of the greatest spectacles in America recently hit the streets of Milwaukee. It was a thunder of Harley-Davidson pride you could literally feel in your chest as nearly 7,000 Harley-Davidson customers, dealers and employees from around the world rolled through downtown Milwaukee to celebrate Harley-Davidson’s 110th Anniversary.

The parade route took participants nearly five miles from Miller Park to the Summerfest Grounds via Wisconsin Avenue, clocking in more than 32,000 collective miles, the equivalent of five round-trip journeys from New York to Los Angeles. Along the way, tens of thousands of local residents greeted and cheered on the parading motorcyclists.

Sixteen-year-old Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.) member Parker Anderson, from Appleton, Wis., had the special honor to wear the ‘Freedom Jacket’ during the parade. The ‘Freedom Jacket’ is a single black leather jacket that has been passed from rider to rider across 11 countries and six continents over the past year as part of Harley-Davidson’s 110th Anniversary. Those who have worn the jacket share passion for freedom, self-expression and adventure. After the conclusion of the 110th Anniversary celebration, the jacket will be on display in the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee.

Several celebrities, including actresses Katee Sackhoff and Tricia Helfer; Hollywood director F. Gary Gray; and UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez, joined the fun.