.
It was a hundred years in the making and we'll never see anything
like it in our lifetime again. It's huge (more than 25 acres), it's
truly an entertainment extravaganza (more than 12 bands on two
stages) and it has something for everyone.
On the weekend of July 20-21, at the Atlanta Motor Speedway,
Harley-Davidson Motor Company will officially kick-start its 100th
Anniversary with the Open Road Tour: a series of gigantic weekend
festivals roaring into 10 cities worldwide celebrating motorcycles,
music, history and more. Once the Open Road Tour rolls to a stop in
the Summer of 2003, enthusiasts can join the Ride Home, organized
rides throughout North America heading to Milwaukee, for three days
of celebrations and special events. The official birthday party will
take place in Milwaukee on August 31, 2003 and launch Harley-Davidson
into the next 100 years.
But because the world has never seen an event the size or scope
of the Open Road Tour it may be easier to look at it this way S
It's bigger than a concert - Every Open Road Tour stop will
feature at least 12 incredible musical acts over three days. Tim
McGraw, Hootie and the Blowfish and Bob Dylan are just some the big
names already on board.
It's cooler than the Guggenheim "Art of the Motorcycle" - Elvis and
Jon Bon Jovi's Harleys are just a few of the amazing motorcycles on
display. Everywhere spectators walk they'll find multi-media displays
revealing the colorful history of the Motor Company, never before
seen machines and artifacts from the Harley-Davidson Archives, and
even vintage motorcycle toys!
It's no county fair - Motorcycle drill teams and stunt riders will
put on daily shows. Need an adrenaline break? How about a 2,000-seat
cinema showcasing Harley-Davidson's portrayal in the movies over
time, or the children's pavilion that has kids games and other
entertainment for children like demo-rides on Fisher-Price
Harley-Davidson ride-on motorcycle toys.
And it's got entertainment you can't see anywhere else -- There are
also theatre-style shows including a high energy tap and rhythm
spectacular and a biker fashion show you can only find at a
Harley-Davidson event.
"It's hard to put into words," said Joanne Bischmann, vice
president of marketing for Harley-Davidson. "We knew that
kicking-off Harley-Davidson's next 100 years was going to call for
something huge, something that couldn't easily be described in words,
but would be an unforgettable Harley-Davidson experience for anyone
who participated. We think the Open Road Tour fits the bill."
SO YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO SOME GREAT MUSIC
The Open Road Tour will feature different bands each day, in every
city - and the music will continue all day long on two different
stages. In July, Atlanta will be grooving with Steel Pulse, banging
their heads with Ted Nugent, rocking with Journey and stomping their
feet to Tim McGraw.
When the Open Road Tour rolls across the globe, the
musical entertainment will include other top-name artists including
the Neville Brothers, Alison Krauss, Billy Idol, Lynyrd Skynyrd,
Hootie and the Blowfish, Indigenous and Bob Dylan.
HOW ABOUT SOME HISTORY THAT WILL MOVE YOU
The history of Harley-Davidson is rich in drama, passion
and tradition. Open Road Tour visitors are invited to take in 100
years of Harley-Davidson history through multi-media and historic
displays, which include: original artifacts, historical engines and
an extraordinary collection of materials from company marketing
campaigns. Inside The Journey tent, visitors will also be encouraged
to step into a story booth and share their favorite Harley-Davidson
experiences.
Starting with a re-creation of the historic shed where the
company was born, visitors can trace the history of Harley-Davidson
in all aspects, even an archive collection of motorcycle toys. A
special pavilion at the Open Road Tour called The Machine will
feature a stunning exhibition of select motorcycles from the
Harley-Davidson archives. Many of the unique motorcycles featured
inside The Machine have never been seen in public before.
The Open Road Tour also features another special exhibit
called The Culture which features Harley-Davidson's distinctive style
that has inspired people and popular culture around the world.
Moving around The Culture, visitors will quickly become part of the
world of Harley-Davidson, as they take in a look at Harley-Davidson
in the movies, as well as a special exhibit from the Rock and Roll
Hall of Fame. Visitors will also be encouraged to try on the latest,
as well as vintage Harley-Davidson MotorClothes.
SIT BACK AND GET READY FOR AN ADRENALINE RUSH
To get your motor running, the Open Road Tour will also
feature motorcycle demo rides at all Open Road Tour locations.
Visitors who are 18 years of age or older, and have a valid
motorcycle license, will be able to ride any 2003 Harley-Davidson or
Buell motorcycle of their choice, including the hot Harley-Davidson
VRSCA V-Rod. For non-riders and riders alike, Harley-Davidson has
also put together an extensive line-up of motorcycle action. From
the skill and artistry of motorcycle drill teams, to the raw nerve of
stunt riders, Open Road Tour motorcycle action is sure to rev the
adrenaline of any on-looker. Visitors can also get a taste of the
look that makes-up Harley-Davidson by attending special fashion shows
throughout the weekends.
SOMETHING FOR THE LITTLEST HARLEY FANS
No one is either too young or too old to be part of the
Harley-Davidson family and experience, especially at the Open Road
Tour. Working in conjunction with Toys "R" Us, Harley-Davidson has
developed a special children's pavilion to satisfy all of the younger
members of the family. Kids will even have the chance to demo-ride
some of the Fisher Price Harley-Davidson ride-on toys.
AND IT'S ALL FOR A GOOD CAUSE
The Harley-Davidson Open Road Tour and other 100th Anniversary
events will raise funds to help find a cure for muscular dystrophy
and aid research and program services for children and adults with
neuromuscular diseases. Since 1980, the Harley-Davidson family of
customers, dealers and employees has raised nearly $40 million for
the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).
"The Open Road Tour festival is going to give people
around the world a chance to get a feel for what we mean by the
Harley-Davidson experience," said Bischmann. "During the Open Road
Tour and other 100th Anniversary events, we hope to raise $5 million
for the Muscular Dystrophy Association."
Tickets for U.S. and Canadian Open Road Tour stops are on
sale now. To purchase tickets for the Open Road Tour, visit
www.harley-davidson.com , www.ticketmaster.com
or contact your local Ticket Master office. Tickets for Open Road Tour event
stops are $55.00 per day in the U.S. and $75.00 Canadian per day in
Canada. For additional information on the Open Road Tour or the 100th
Anniversary, visit www.harley-davidson.com