The newly formatted Harley-Davidson Homecoming celebration officially began Thursday.
The company’s 121st anniversary honors Bill ‘Willie G.’ Davidson, the company’s former senior vice president and chief styling officer.
Harley Homecoming celebrations had previously been held every five years in Milwaukee. The 2024 event marks a shift to an annual format.
Willie Davidson, along with additional members of the Davidson family, visited the recently completed Davidson Park at the company’s Juneau Avenue headquarters Thursday on the city’s west side.
The Homecoming kickoff ceremony attracted Harley enthusiasts from across the country. Historical tours of Harley-Davidson’s headquarters campus, live music, and food and drinks capped off the event’s opening night.
“This is the first time we’re actually seeing motorcycles parked here (at Davidson Park),” said Jochen Zeitz, chief executive officer of Harley-Davidson, during the opening ceremony. “It was all a theoretical exercise. Is everyone going to be able to ride in and park their bikes? It looks amazing.”
He reiterated his desire to build the Homecoming celebration into an annual event that draws massive crowds like the popular bike rallies in Sturgis, South Dakota or Daytona, Florida.
“This is the mecca of motorcycles for the entire world so I just felt that we should have a party,” said Zeitz. “It’s all about coming home…to the home of motorcycles. All you guys have a reason to come here to Milwaukee. That’s what it’s all about.”
The Harley Homecoming runs now through Sunday. Headlining performer Jelly Roll performs tonight at Veterans Park. The Red Hot Chili Peppers are Saturday evening’s headliners.
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- Bikes surround the central hub at Davidson Park.
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- Bikes surround the central hub at Davidson Park.
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- Harley riders arriving at Davidson Park Thursday for the opening ceremony.
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- A newly unwrapped American flag hangs outside Harley-Davidson’s headquarters buildings.
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- Inside Harley-Davidson’s headquarters, photos showing original sketches by Willie G. Davidson were on display.
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- Office space inside Harley-Davidson’s headquarters.
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- This is where Willie G. Davidson did the bulk of his work inside the Harley-Davidson headquarters.
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- Jochen Zeitz, CEO of Harley-Davidson, speaks with members of the company’s factory racing team Thursday.
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- Bill ‘Willie G.’ Davidson, the company’s former senior vice president and chief styling officer.
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- A crowd of Harley enthusiasts gather at Davidson Park Thursday for an opening ceremony,
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- Harleys line the hub at Davidson Park.
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- A crowd of Harley enthusiasts gather at Davidson Park Thursday for an opening ceremony,
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- A series of vendors set up shop at Davidson Park Thursday.
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- This is a replica of the wooden shed where Harley-Davidson’s founders first began building motorcycles. The real shed was originally located just feet away on the corner of North 38th Street,
