Summerfest grounds nearly ready for Harley-Davidson's 110th

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- One of the focal points of the Harley-Davidson 110th Anniversary Celebration will be all the activity taking place at Maier Festival Park.While the live music has yet to arrive, at Angelo's Pizza, you can already hear the beat."We have to get prepared.

Biker Mania Vendor Mall found at Milwaukee's Veterans Park

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- It's not just riders rolling into Milwaukee this week, vendors from across the country are busy setting up at Veterans Park for the Biker Mania Vendor Mall."To come back up here to the home of Harley, it's nice," says merchandise vendor Tom Bivins.The 4-day event has something for just about everyone, whether you're in the market for a motorcycle or looking to trick out your bike."We've got four full-time mechanics back here with us, any product that you want we can put on for you at the rally," says Todd Hinrichs with Kuryakyn.But before you ride off on a motorcycle you have to look the part."We  sell everything from men and ladies apparel, event T-shirts, a little bit of Harley-Davidson kids stuff, a pretty good mix," says Bivins.Bikes of all shapes and sizes will be on display.But a motorcycle built for GEICO to honor our troops will likely catch a few eyes."This bike was built for us last year by Paul Jr.

Stilettos on Steel is state's largest all-female Harley riding group

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The evolving face of the Harley-Davidson rider now includes more women than ever -- and they're changing the perception of a "biker chick."From the moment they hit the road, with the wind at their backs and their hair flowing free, their minds are at ease."It makes my heart feel good," Brenda Kuhl said."You get a lot of time to think and soul search," Amy Price said."It's as close to flying as you'll ever get," Anne Zube said."To me, it's just a sense of freedom," Amy Price said.These women are part of a group called "Stilettos on Steel.""This is the face of a female rider," Zube, the CEO of Stilettos on Steel told FOX6 News.Tired of sitting on the back of a bike, they hopped on board their own bikes."It`s now women taking the handlebars, getting behind it, getting out of the passenger seat and really taking control of their destiny," Zube said.The group consists of women from all walks of life."We have business owners, homemakers, grandmothers, widowers.

Military honored in motorcycle ride from House of Harley

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- One of the first formal events of Harley-Davidson's 110th Anniversary Celebration was held at the House of Harley in Greenfield.

Kenosha to celebrate Harley 110th with festival, parade

KENOSHA (WITI) -- Harbor Thunder, a free festival celebrating the anniversary of Harley-Davidson, will take place along Kenosha’s Lake Michigan shore on Wednesday, August 28th  between 5:00 p.m. and 11:00 pm.Celebration Place – where 54th and 56th Streets meet Lake Michigan – will be the location of this fest, featuring a Harley parade, live music, food and beverages, and family activities.From August 28th through September 1st, Kenosha will once again be a home-away-from-home to thousands of Harley-Davidson enthusiasts from around the country and the world who are visiting Wisconsin for the Harley 110th Anniversary in Milwaukee.

Harley riders take part in inaugural international skills competition

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- With just hours to go before the kickoff of the big Harley-Davidson 110th anniversary celebration, some riders took part on the inaugural Harley-Davidson sponsored international skills competition on Wednesday, August 28th.It happened at Harley's Wauwatosa Product and Development Plant.A course was set up with eight different patterns for competitors.

Kopp's Frozen Custard features Harley-themed flavors

GREENFIELD (WITI) -- Kopp's Frozen Custard is getting into the spirit of the Harley-Davidson 110th Anniversary Celebration by featuring some uniquely Harley-themed custard flavors.Here are the Harley flavors by day...

Helmet check offered for riders headed to Summerfest grounds

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Volunteers from Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity and Hunger Task Force are ready to greet thousands of Harley-Davidson motorcycle riders at the Summerfest grounds Thursday, August 29th through Saturday, August 31st.Volunteers from both organizations will be staffing the “helmet check” at the Main Gate (Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity) and the South Gate (Hunger Task Force) to the Summerfest Grounds.

Racine Co. man works to restore old Harleys, finishing up a 1913

RACINE CO. (WITI) -- It would be hard to find someone as committed to their hobby as a Racine County man who restores old Harley-Davidson motorcycles!

Lake Express ferry hauls motorcycle riders for Harley's 110th

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The Lake Express high-speed ferry will be transporting hundreds of motorcyclists to and from Milwaukee this week for Harley-Davidson’s 110th anniversary celebration.Up to 120 Harley riders are expected to be on the Lake Express for the ferry’s Aug. 28th and Aug. 29th trips to Milwaukee.

Campgrounds filling up with Harley-Davidson riders

WEST BEND (WITI) -- Campgrounds throughout southeast Wisconsin are starting to fill up with Harley-Davidson riders -- and RVs pulling trailers with bikes.During the day, those riders are usually out touring the state.

Vendors from across the country hope to cash in during Harley 110th

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- We are just hours away from Harley-Davidson's big 110th anniversary celebration, and vendors are arriving in Milwaukee from across the country -- hoping to cash in with Harley enthusiasts. "The anniversary years are always a big deal for us," Will Glynn said.Glynn is from Sommerset, Wisconsin, and is in Milwaukee for the Harley-Davidson 110th anniversary celebration, where he will sell motorcycle accessories to throngs of Harley fans."This tent`ll be packed from this tent all the way to the end and won`t be able to walk through it very easily," Glynn said.Four city blocks outside the House of Harley in Greenfield are shut down to make way for hundreds of vendors and Harley enthusiasts!In one tent, riders will browse and test motorcycle seats that start around $300."Most motorcycle rallies have become a destination to come and search for parts for your bikes," Glynn said.On Wednesday, August 28th, bikers will be traveling from one retail district to the next.

Milwaukee Police Dept. has long history of riding Harleys

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- As bikers pour into Milwaukee from around the world for Harley-Davidson's 110th anniversary, the Milwaukee Police Department is gearing up to help direct all those bikes. 1903 is the year of inception for Harley-Davidson in Milwaukee, and not long after, police stations from around the country began ordering bikes, and some of those didn't have to go far!Officer Dennis Wallich is a 25-year veteran of the Milwaukee Police Department and has spent most of those years on two wheels."I have 19 years on the motorcycle unit," Wallich said.MPD's Motorcycle Unit is one of the most highly sought after positions on the force.

New exhibit opens at the Harley-Davidson Museum

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Before a Harley-Davidson can hit the road, it is first a concept, then a prototype, and then an iconic motorcycle."That's why we're displaying this museum exhibit, to re-tell the story of the biggest development evolution that Harley-Davidson has ever gone through," says Project Rushmore Chief Engineer Ben Wright.The Harley-Davidson Museum just opened its newest exhibit, which takes visitors through the evolution of its 2014 Touring bike.Project Rushmore is both the name of the exhibit and the 3-year development process for the more than 100 upgrades and changes made to this popular motorcycle."Our exhibit focuses on how these issues were addressed and kind of the creativity and ingenuity of all of the folks out at Harley's product development center," says Harley-Davidson Museum Curatorial Director Jim Fricke.The exhibit highlights the high-tech additions, the upgrades in comfort, and of course the extra power."Customers want more passing power so hit the throttle and be able to pass those vehicles.

Celebrating Harley-Davidson's 110th Anniversary with the coolest drawing ever

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- When FOX6 News produced its special commemorating Harley-Davidson's 110th Anniversary Celebration, we could have started the show with lots of shots of motorcycles and bikes motoring down a highway.But FOX6 Photojournalist Susanne Barthel created something rather unique.

Some renting out homes, land, even boats for Harley 110th

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- As Harley-Davidson's 110th anniversary celebration gets ready to kick off later this week -- some Milwaukee residents are still looking to rent out their homes for visitors to the city during the Labor Day weekend party."We have enough space for probably, I don`t know, three RVs depending on the length," Heather Thielen said.Thielen is using Harley's big 110th anniversary celebration as a business opportunity.

Parking preps for Harley-Davidson's 110th Anniversary

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Preparations for Harley-Davidson’s 110th Anniversary Celebration in Milwaukee are nearing completion.

Laura checks out new exhibit at Harley-Davidson Museum

The Harley-Davidson Museum is opening a brand new exhibit just in time for the 110th celebration.