---
title: "Harley Davidson 105th Anniversary"
slug: "harley-davidson-105th-anniversary"
description: "Celebrate the Harley Davidson 105th Anniversary in Milwaukee with parades, street parties, Bruce Springsteen, 50+ bands, and attractions like the Harley Museum."
pubDate: 2019-07-19T00:00:00.000Z
canonical: https://bobberbrothers.com/pages/harley-davidson-105th-anniversary/
---
## Harley Davidson 105<sup>th</sup> Anniversary

The Harley Davidson 105<sup>th</sup> anniversary brought together bikers and motorcycles of all kinds in Milwaukee, making it a remarkable event full of celebrations, parades, and concerts. With around 125,000 bikers participating, the rally was a perfect combination of fun, music, and culture.

<img src="/images/blog/inline/d44d45eb-8f9b-412d-9cba-d6b5ea5152d0.webp" srcset="/images/blog/inline/d44d45eb-8f9b-412d-9cba-d6b5ea5152d0.webp 480w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" width="480" height="268" alt="Harley Davidson 105th Anniversary rally" loading="lazy" decoding="async">

## Parade and Street Parties

The parade for the anniversary featured about 8,000 motorcycles. While some bikers participated in the parade with tickets, others watched and followed the procession. Street parties with loud music were a major highlight and were free to attend, creating an unforgettable experience for the attendees.

<img src="/images/blog/inline/cb659e7b-fd98-42f0-9284-5d31a3e4ae75.webp" srcset="/images/blog/inline/cb659e7b-fd98-42f0-9284-5d31a3e4ae75.webp 480w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" width="480" height="267" alt="Harley Davidson 105th Anniversary Parade" loading="lazy" decoding="async">

## Bruce Springsteen’s Concert

Bruce Springsteen's concert during the Harley Davidson 105<sup>th</sup> anniversary attracted massive crowds, with tickets selling out quickly. The event took place in a venue that spanned the size of multiple football fields, and fans dressed in Harley Davidson apparel contributed to both the event’s success and the company's iconic American brand image.

## Attire and Accessories

Attendees often wore a specific combination of clothing and accessories including Ray-Bans, bandanas, black leather jackets, jeans, T-shirts, and heavy boots. This distinct style is part of the Harley Davidson culture and was prevalent throughout the event.

<img src="/images/blog/inline/f92a128d-d6e9-4316-9e89-3cccf2b436fe.webp" srcset="/images/blog/inline/f92a128d-d6e9-4316-9e89-3cccf2b436fe.webp 480w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" width="480" height="266" alt="Harley Davidson 105th Anniversary Fashion" loading="lazy" decoding="async">

## Concerts and Entertainment

Several concerts took place during the event, with notable performances by Three Days Grace, D.B./Bryant, Gary Allan, and many others. More than 50 bands performed across 14 stages over four days, providing attendees with a variety of musical experiences. The Summerfest concert grounds and other venues in close proximity allowed bikers to enjoy these performances without needing to travel far.

## The Harley Davidson Museum

The Harley Davidson Museum quickly sold out its tickets, though some could still be found outside. It featured a collection of Harley prototypes and various bike designs, offering visitors a look at the history and evolution of the brand.

## Milwaukee Art Museum

The Milwaukee Art Museum, designed by architect Santiago Calatrava, hosted a collection of Ron Finch’s custom choppers. The museum was situated between Summerfest and the Lakefront concert stage, adding to the array of attractions during the event.

## Sources

- [Rolling Stone - Bruce Springsteen, Kid Rock, Foo Fighters Rip It Up at Harley-Davidson Bash](https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/bruce-springsteen-kid-rock-foo-fighters-rip-it-up-at-harley-davidson-bash-67154/) - concert coverage from the 105th anniversary celebration
- [CBS News - Springsteen Plays Harley Celebration](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/springsteen-plays-harley-celebration/) - reporting on the Bruce Springsteen and E Street Band performance
- [Women Riders Now - Harley-Davidson Celebrates 105th Anniversary](https://womenridersnow.com/harley-davidson-celebrates-105th-anniversary/) - event details including parade, museum opening, and concerts
- [Hot Bike Magazine - Harley-Davidson’s 105th Anniversary Celebration](https://hotbike.com/harley-davidsons-105th-anniversary-celebration/) - coverage of the four-day Milwaukee celebration
- [Harley-Davidson Museum](https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/museum.html) - museum details and the 2008 opening during the anniversary celebration
- [Setlist.fm - Bruce Springsteen at Harley-Davidson 105th Anniversary](https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/bruce-springsteen/2008/veterans-park-milwaukee-wi-7bd6be0c.html) - complete 31-song setlist from the August 30, 2008 performance

*Background reading: our [Harley-Davidson history guide](/pages/harley-davidson-history-guide/) covers the full company timeline, every engine family, and the model evolution from 1903 to today.*

*Harley riders, this one is for you: our [biker apparel](/collections/all/) carries original designs rooted in HD heritage and bobber culture.*

## Read More From the Brotherhood

- [Harley-Davidson Low Rider: Every Generation Explained](/pages/7-infos-about-the-harley-davidson-low-rider/)
- [1982 Harley-Davidson FXR: 5 Key Facts](/pages/5-facts-about-the-1982-harley-davidson-fxr/)
- [The Sportster Quarter Fairing](/pages/6-important-infos-about-the-sportster-quarter-fairing/)