Well, I must say that I’m happy I made the drive with Alexa to Milwaukee for the 115th! It was over four years since I last visited the city and five years since the 110th Rally.
The turnout for the event was great; the crowds were large and the people were friendly. It’s estimated that over 150,000 bikers came from around the world came to celebrate Freedom with us at the Harley-Davidson Museum.
It took us four hours to set up the booth because it was so large.
We were set up inside the Chrome Tent next door to the Museum which was a PRIME location. The tent was slammed with people from open to close. Our booth was over 40′ X 15′ and we proudly hung Scott’s four new 115th Anniversary Original Paintings for everyone to view and order from.
The overall response was positive and many people added one of all to their collection to remember this monumental time in Harley’s History.
Other 115th Anniversary Events
At night, there were all kinds of good bands playing like Jackyl (lead singer hanging with Scott below), Hairball, Lee Brice, The Reverend Horton Heat and more.
Because our booth was open until 9pm every night, we didn’t get the chance to watch the performances; we only heard them from across the parking lot. The crowd was massive, so the concerts must’ve been great.
Alexa and I took Friday off with our friend Lindsay to spend time on her lake in Mukwanago. Then we ventured to Brady Street to experience the Rally Night Life. They close off the entire street to let bikes and their riders hang out, blast music on their custom bikes, and drink out on the road.
We ran into several familiar faces throughout the night, took pictures with fans that recognized us (mainly Alexa), and had a few mediocre cocktails…Â Never rely on a drunk bartender that can barely open her eyes to make you a good drink!
Lex and I had to cut our trip short and fly home Saturday afternoon which was bittersweet.
I was hoping the morning would give me the opportunity to take a tour of the Harley Museum since I never had, but the crowds were crazy! I stood in line all the way until I got to the counter and thought “do I really want to be stuffed inside a building with thousands of people or should I just make it a plan to go inside next trip?”
My introverted tendencies won so I skipped the Disney-like lines and Google Searched the inside to make believe I was actually in there.
That day, we also somehow convinced our dad to get his first tattoo!
Alexa was a little too excited for this moment…
Alexa and I immediately grabbed our phones to document this rare sight. I did a Facebook Live Video and Alexa Facetimed our mom. While he sat in the chair, we all held back our laughter as best we could.
I think part of why he got this ridiculous tattoo was the sentiment of having a matching artist tattoo with his daughter. Awwww…
After he was finished and recovering the the trauma, we realized that we’re all going to see a mini paintbrush on his finger in every photo I take of him painting! Not sure if either of them thought that through, but hey, YOLO, right?
Till next time, Milwaukee.
xo