MILWAUKEE — Harley-Davidson riders and enthusiasts from around the world are descending on Milwaukee this weekend as the annual Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival kicks off.

Hours before the official event got underway, motorcycles zoomed their way onto the grounds of the Harley-Davidson Museum.

Alan Christianson lives in Milwaukee and brought friends from Minnesota to take in the early part of the Homecoming celebration. Christianson said there is pride in having his hometown play host.

“To have something like this that is bringing people from all over the world, especially the same weekend we have EAA going on up in Oshkosh… it is such a great event to have something like this right in our hometown,” said Christianson.

Bill Davidson is Harley-Davidson’s vice president global ambassador and a member of the Davidson family. He said it is fun watching people arrive from all over.

“When they get here, it is so neat to see how people socialize as one big happy family, such a great community, so it is really rewarding for me,” said Davidson.

In the past, major Harley events were held every five years. Now, Homecoming events take place annually. Davidson said it is a chance to showcase Milwaukee more often.

“We want to continue to grow this as a destination for our riders because we have so much to offer. The museum and our history here, our headquarters where Davidson Park, the demo rides out at Pilgrim Road, it is an incredible collection of things to do,” said Davidson.

To learn more about Harley-Davidson Homecoming, you can visit its website.