Published: July 09, 2008 05:44 pm      

NIAGARA FALLS: Getting ready to go HOG wild

More than 1,700 Harley owners expected for weekend event in the Falls

Niagara Falls is about to become Harley Davidson country.

More than 1,700 owners of America’s signature cycle will roll into downtown today to kickoff a three-day celebration of all things Harley-Davidson.

The 20th anniversary rally for the New York State Harley Owners Group, or HOG, is expected to draw Harley fans from 23 different states as well as Canada, Ireland and England.

“We are excited to bring the HOG rally back to its beginnings in Niagara Falls,” said Paul Fedorsak, site coordinator for New York State HOG. “The rally is a great mixture of Harley owners from all walks of life, from truck drivers to doctors to retired military vets to name a few. It’s an opportunity for riders, not only from New York state, but worldwide to share their common love of motorcycling and the passion to ride Harleys.”

The Harley-Davidson company formed the national HOG back in 1983 to give riders an organized way to celebrate their love of the company’s bikes. New York’s HOG chapter has been around since 1988, the year it celebrated its first ever rally which was held in the Falls.

Fedorsak said more than 1,400 riders were pre-registered for this weekend’s event and another 200 to 300 are expected to register at the host site, Seneca Niagara Casino and Hotel.

“Everything went really well,” Fedorsak said of the treatment his group received from officials in Niagara County. “The city and the county really stepped up. The Niagara tourism bureau did a great job. We couldn’t ask for anything better. It’s going to be a fun rally.”

Activities directly related to the rally are private and for HOG members only. Harley owners will be participating in rides throughout Niagara County during the weekend and will also hold a parade through downtown Niagara Falls and around Goat Island on Saturday afternoon.

John Percy, president and CEO for the Niagara Tourism and Convention Corp., said the event is expected to have a total economic impact on the Niagara Region of more than $900,000.

“We welcome HOG back after a 20-year absence and look forward to showcasing the region,” Percy said.

This weekend’s HOG rally will coincide with the casino’s 2008 bike show which is being held at the Seneca Niagara Events Center. The show, which starts Friday and runs through Sunday, will feature more than 125 bikes and will include special guest appearances from Eddie Trotta of Thunder Cycle Design, Roger Bourget of Bourget’s Bike Works, Redneck Choppers and more. The event is open to the general public. Admission is free to Seneca Players Club members and is $10 for non-members.