Harley-Davidson fans in HOG heaven at area rally

The streets of Cape Girardeau will be invaded by Harleys Friday through Sunday when the Missouri Harley-Davidson Owners Group rides into town.

More than 3,000 HOG members are expected to attend the 13th annual rally, which draws Harley riders from all over the country.

Sonny Minor, owner of Minor's Harley-Davidson, said that riders from as far away as California and Florida have registered for the event. And they don't come alone.

"It's a very family-oriented event," he said.

Cape Girardeau played host to the HOG Rally in 2001. It brought in an estimated $1.5 million to the city's economy.

"We think the rally this year will have a huge economic impact," said Kara Clark, director of sales for the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Activities for the rally include a parade and various events at the Show Me Center throughout the weekend.

The parade will be held at 6 p.m. on Saturday and will proceed along Mount Auburn Road, William Street, Kingshighway, Broadway and Main Street.

"We encourage the public to come to the parade," Clark said. "A lot of the motorcycles will be fixed up."

Downtown streets will be blocked off for a street festival on Saturday night. The Southern rock band Black Oak Arkansas will perform at 9:30 p.m. on a stage set up along Water Street.

The public is invited to visit the Show Me Center parking lot from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday to view the collection of Harley-Davidsons.

Riders also will travel to area communities during the weekend. From 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday the bikers will go on a "Cape Girardeau Journey" visiting historical sites such as Bollinger Mill.

"There will be people riding in a 100-mile radius of Cape to visit surrounding communities," Minor said.

Minor's Harley-Davidson will begin the weekend events a day early with a kick-off party from 4 p.m. until 10 p.m. on Thursday at the store.

"It's just a lot of fun," Minor said of the weekend rally. "When people came here before, they really loved Cape Girardeau."

jfreeze@semissourian.com