Spectators preparing for H-D 110th Anniversary Parade

Residents along parade route prepare for celebration

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- More than 6,000 Harley-Davidson owners are gearing up to ride in the 110th Anniversary Parade Saturday morning, August 31st. Residents along the parade route are already feeling the excitement.

Welcome signs are up and barricades are stacked along the parade route on Story Parkway.

"About midnight last night in my bedroom I heard just a constant rumble," said Bob Koehler of Story Hill. "Pretty excited. Looking forward to tomorrow."

Koehler says he's already preparing to cheer on the bikers.

"We just staked out a place at 10 a.m. to see where the shade is so we're not sitting in the sun for the parade," said Koehler. "Expect a lot of rumble, but everyone is well behaved. Everyone will wave when you wave to them."

"It's just different. The sound of it, the look. It's really a fun time. The kids like it, too," said Rhulene Artis.

Fans of the parade say they love seeing extraordinary custom bikes and the camaraderie between riders of all cultures and generations.

"This is wall-to-wall motorcycles. You got the side cars, the old grandmas, the whole thing -- that's what basically sets it apart," said Koehler. "I just hope everyone has fun and be safe and don't let it become a negative thing and just be safe and be careful and be courteous."

The parade starts at Miller Park and heads down Wisconsin Ave. and Milwaukee St. before ending at the Summerfest grounds.

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