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Getting an early start, these two arrived on
Tuesday. Celebrants had begun to hit town as early as the previous weekend,
but most did not arrive until Wednesday or Thursday, with a number not arriving
until the weekend of the main event.
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This shot was taken late on the preceding week.
The stage is being built. Harley pulled out all of the stops for this event,
the stage, which took almost a week to construct, would only be used for a
single show.
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A look at the old Coast Guard station, a few
days before things get started.
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Early on the week of the celebration, and signs
are beginning to go up to acknowledge the 100th birthday of the world's oldest
motorcycle company.
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It is early on Thursday afternoon, and things
are just getting started. The lakefront is not nearly as crowded as it will
be latter in the day. Visitors continue to steam in.
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A look down one of the footpaths at Lake Park
shows a double line of motorcycles.
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The gauntlet of motorcycles continues, as I get
closer to the exhibit grounds.
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A look along one of the grassy areas shows bikes
and people as far as the eye can see.
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Riders continue to arrive, and fill the Lakefront.
They will continue to come, well into the night
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A look down Lake Drive, and a view of the Machine
exhibit tent.
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Lake Drive heads off towards Downtown. Motorcycles
can be seen starting to line it's length. It is early on the first day, and
things have hardly (Harley) begun. Within 24 hours, this area will be choked
with motorcycles.
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Motorcycles fill the area under a shady tree,
and everywhere else too, for that matter.
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Motorcycles line Lake Drive, and traffic is picking
up.
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And still they come. Arrivals are now non-stop.
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Strolling the open air grounds, part of the Harley
Davidson Experience. The large tent way back and off to the right is the Culture
tent.
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People mill around looking for something to eat
or drink. For many, this is only a first stop after a long journey here. There
is a big bash at the Summerfest grounds, there are factory tours going on,
shows out at State Fair Park, and at the Riders Ranch, and dealer shows, along
with dozens of block parties. It is unlikely that anyone will experience more
than a fraction of all that is going on around town.
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A look down the line of carnival tents. Everything
is for sale. This is only one of several vendor stall locations. There are
other by the fair grounds, out in Waukesha, Downtown near the Summerfest grounds,
and out past Hartland.
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happy faces surrounded by lots to eat and drink.
Even so, this is nothing compared with what is going on down at the Summerfest
grounds, and what is coming over the weekend.
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The orange tag hanging from the girl in the foreground
is a gate pass, and entrance ticket. This is required to get into the exhibit
tents (though there is plenty to see outside), and to get into the Summerfest
grounds, and the big concert on Sunday.
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Some riders come down from the more secluded
park areas near the Sailing Center. They were either touring ,or looking
for parking.
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Ford, the oldest car maker in the country, is
joining in the celebration with Harley, the oldest motorcycle maker.
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