Can you believe five years have passed since Harley's 100th anniversary bash invaded Milwaukee? The block parties, the lakefront exhibits, the copious displays of public nudity -- and of course, the highly controversial Elton John concert -- it all seems like yesterday.

Several writers in the editorial department of OnMilwaukee.com were covering the event back then. Here are our fond -- and not so fond -- recollections of the citywide party.

Molly Snyder Edler
Staff writer
I was nine months pregnant at the end of August 2003, so by the time the hogs rolled in, I was feeling like a fat pig. I spent most of the weekend on the couch, eating bowls of cereal and watching snippets of the Harley 100th on television. I remember the weather was blazing hot, but maybe my bodily discomfort was just the insane hormone surge and the extra 40 pounds. That weekend, my husband joked that we should name our kid "Harley," but at that point my sense of humor was about as lively as road kill, and I think I might have thrown a boot at him. Sorry, dear.

Julie Lawrence
Staff writer
My memory of Harley's 100th anniversary is more or less a hodgepodge of other peoples' stories, since I was out of town during the duration of the celebration. But, I lived just off Brady Street at the time, so I caught the first wave of early riders arriving in our city, looking for a place to party, apparently, day and night. Brady seemed to fill the niche quite nicely, as the street seemed to roar with activity as the days got closer to kickoff. I remember wondering, as we all were, who the secret act would turn out to be, and when my mom called me from the Elton John show, I knew I was better off in Arizona.

Drew Olson
Senior editor
My favorite part of Harley's 100th anniversary bash was the run-up to the Elton John fiasco. So many rumors were floating about the headliner that it was a delicious time for music fans to consider the possibilities. "I heard from my brother's neighbor's babysitter's cousin that Zeppelin is reuniting to play." I heard about Led Zeppelin, U2, Springsteen, The Eagles, Bon Jovi and just about every other major band except the Beatles coming to headline the stage.

When it turned out to be Elton John, it was so ridiculous; it was a perfect, ridiculous end to a ridiculous period.

Maureen Post
Reporter
Yeah, I know that Elton John's performance killed the climax of the 100th Harley Anniversary but before that, I loved the 100th. I'm not a Harley owner by any means, assuredly probably never will be, but I love the sound, the smell and the feel of vintage motorcycles. For the 100th, I took to the streets with friends on bikes (well, bicycles that is) and rode all over the city making stops at Brady Street, North Avenue and Water Street to witness whatever insanity there was to see. Each festival area screamed with riders doing burn outs, crowds gathering to checkout custom bikes and packs of riders touring the neighborhoods. Mainly, I remember an overwhelming feel of camaraderie and liveliness that I thoughtlessly accepted despite riding a Bianchi in place of a Harley. I love the influx of riders into the city and can't wait for it again this year.

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