posted August 18, 2005
Chattanooga will become hog heaven next week as thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts from around the world converge on the city for CLUB H.O.G. Chattanooga. The event, scheduled for next Friday and Saturday, is hosted by the Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.), the largest factory sponsored motorcycle club in the world.
For two days, H.O.G. members will revel in everything the Motor Company and Chattanooga have to offer, including musical entertainment, a chapter parade of flags and even an early bird party – Thunder on the Tracks - on Thursday at Thunder Creek Harley-Davidson from 5–9:30 p.m.
It will be one of the city's largest conventions ever, and one of the first major events at the renovated Ross's Landing Park.
Candace Davis of the Convention and Visitors Bureau said the event is expected to generate $7.2 million for the local economy. She said most local hotels and motels are already fully booked for next weekend.
There will also be a number of street closings for the motorcycle convention.
Street closings start Monday at 9 a.m. and will reopen the following Monday at 3 p.m. Dates and time include setup and take down of the rally site.
Streets to close are:
Riverfront Parkway and Riverside Drive from S. River Street to E 2nd Street
Chestnut Street from W. 2nd Street to Riverfront Parkway
Power Alley from W. 2nd Street to Riverfront Parkway.
Parking meters will be reserved for motorcycle parking only from Thursday-Saturday. The meters will be covered with paper bags that say “Motorcycle Parking Only.” This applies to:
100 through 300 blocks of Market Street
200 and 300 blocks of Broad Street
South side of 2nd Street between Chestnut and Market
While most of the CLUB H.O.G. Chattanooga events are only open to H.O.G. members who have registered for the event local residents are invited to join in some of the fun, including an entertainment-packed street party scheduled for Saturday from 5 p.m. to midnight.
“We are very excited about the upcoming CLUB H.O.G. Chattanooga event,” said Mike Keefe, Vice President, Harley-Davidson Motor Company and Director, Harley Owners Group. “The city has welcomed us with open arms, and I’m sure our members will enjoy the culture of the city and the excellent rides the area roads have to offer.”
H.O.G. Activities
H.O.G. members who have registered for the event can participate in a variety of activities including a Ride-In Show, complimentary riverboat cruises on the Southern Belle, and drill teams and stunt rider entertainment. Many vendors, including three area Harley-Davidson dealers will be on site selling motorcycle-related merchandise.
The members-only event will feature musical entertainment including local favorites like The Rounders, Mustang Sally, No Axident and the Collins Brothers Band. Opening for Cowboy Mouth on Friday will be acoustic-pop sensation Sister Hazel in the Budweiser Beer Garden. Country music’s best-selling new group of 2001, Trick Pony, will perform on the Harley Stage at 8:15 p.m. on the same day. Classic rock chart-toppers John Kay & Steppenwolf will deliver more than three decades of music, including “Born to be Wild” and “Magic Carpet Ride,” on the Harley Stage on Saturday at 3 p.m.
Additional activities during the rally, including a silent auction, will help raise funds to find a cure for neuromuscular disease. Over the past 25 years, the Harley-Davidson family of employees, dealers and riders has helped raise nearly $50 million for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Local Harley-Davidson riders are invited to join H.O.G. and take part in the CLUB H.O.G. Chattanooga activities. Riders can sign up to become a H.O.G. member by bringing their Harley-Davidson VIN number to the registration tent at 2nd and Chestnut Streets on Friday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday, August 27, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. where they can purchase a full H.O.G. Membership for $40 a year or an Associate H.O.G. Membership for $20 a year. Rally registration includes a 2-day pass for $25 and a 1-day pass for $15.
Local Residents Invited to Join in on the Fun
Though most activities are limited to H.O.G. members registered for the event, the Chattanooga community is encouraged to participate in various rally activities. Residents are invited to cheer on the Harley-Davidson motorcycles during a special Chattanooga chapter parade of flags on Saturday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. The parade leaves the rally grounds at Chestnut Street and 2nd Street traveling down Broad Street and MLK Blvd before returning to Riverfront Parkway and the rally grounds.
Residents are encouraged to follow the chapter parade of flags to Chattanooga’s Rockin’ on the River Street Party at Ross’s Landing. The free street party will feature locally recognized musical acts including Jason D. Williams, No Big Deal, Deon Taylor, Mo’s Oven and Soul Survivor.
Harley-Davidson® and Buell® Demo Rides on 2006 motorcycles will also be available to the public free of charge at the H-D Demo Lot at 4th and Broad Streets on Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. To participate, individuals must bring a valid motorcycle license, wear long pants and closed shoes, sign a release form and wear a helmet that meets DOT standards (Buell demo riders must wear a full-face helmet).
The public can also check out the Harley-Davidson Traveling Museum free of charge at the same location both days from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The newly re-themed museum chronicles the Motor Company’s racing successes from 1905 through the 2004 NHRA Championship win of Andrew Hines and the Screamin’ Eagle® drag race team.
About H.O.G. and Harley-Davidson
Founded in 1983, Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.) is the official riding club of the Harley-Davidson Motor Company. H.O.G. currently has more over 900,000 members and 1,400 chapters worldwide, making it the largest factory-sponsored motorcycle organization in the world. H.O.G. rallies are held around the globe to celebrate Harley-Davidson motorcycle riding.
Harley-Davidson, Inc. is the parent company for the group of companies doing business as Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Buell Motorcycle Company and Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Inc. Harley-Davidson Motor Company, the only major U.S.-based motorcycle manufacturer, produces heavyweight motorcycles and offers a complete line of motorcycle parts, accessories, apparel, and general merchandise. Buell Motorcycle Company produces sport motorcycles in addition to motorcycle parts, accessories and apparel. Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Inc. provides wholesale and retail financing and insurance programs to Harley-Davidson dealers and customers. Additional information on Harley-Davidson Inc. can be found at www.harley-davidson.com.
CLUB H.O.G. CHATTANOOGA
Schedule of Events
Thursday, August 25 5:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Thunder on the Tracks (Harley-Davidson dealer party) – FREE and open to the public Thunder Creek Harley-Davidson
7720 Lee Highway, Chattanooga, Tenn. 37421
* Live music, food, ice cold beverages and much more
Friday, August 26 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
H-D and Buell Demo Rides – FREE and open to the public
Fourth Street and Broad Street
* Demo rides available only for riders that are 18 years old with a valid motorcycle license. Once you’ve signed up, you can ride all day, so come early and experience the entire product line. Long pants, helmet that meets DOT standards (full helmet for Buell models) and eye protection required
Friday, August 26 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Harley-Davidson Traveling Museum – FREE and open to the public
Fourth Street and Broad Street
* The newly re-themed museum chronicles the Motor Company’s racing success from 1905 through the 2004 NHRA Championship win of Andrew Hinges and the Screamin Eagle drag race team. Stop in and see five complete racing outfits, road racers and hill climbers from different eras, dirt trackers, posters, pennants and much more.
Saturday, August 27 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
H-D and Buell Demo Rides – FREE and open to the public
Fourth Street and Broad Street
Saturday, August 27 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Harley-Davidson Traveling Museum – FREE and open to the public
Fourth Street and Broad Street
Saturday, August 27 4:30 p.m.
Chattanooga Chapter Parade of Flags
Exits the rally grounds at Chestnut, travels down Broad Street to MLK Blvd before returning to Riverfront Pkwy
Saturday, August 27 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Chattanooga’s Rockin’ on the River Street Party – FREE and open to the public
Ross’s Landing.
Musical Acts to Include:
Soul Survivor 5:00 p.m. Budweiser Beer Garden
Mo’s Oven 6:00 p.m. Fat Boy® Stage
Deon Taylor 6:30 p.m. Budweiser Beer Garden
No Big Deal 7:45 p.m. Fat Boy Stage
Jason D. Williams 9:00 p.m. Harley Stage
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