Here come the HOGs

More than 700 bikers are expected to roll into town at the end of the month.

The bikers will be driving in for the Ontario Harley Owners Group Rally that starts on Saturday, July 30. Their arrival is expected to give the city’s economy a big boost, says an event organizer.

Rally co-ordinator John Aiken said they made a presentation to the Ontario HOG committee, which is responsible for choosing the rally locations. Thunder Bay won a chance to host the event for the first time, which will bring in Harley Davidson enthusiasts from across Canada and the U.S.

"This event is a big deal and it will have a significant economic impact," Aiken said during a phone interview with tbnewswatch.com on Sunday. "Thunder Bay has never hosted a HOG event before. This is the very first."

Aiken said they expect to have about 700 people attend. As of Sunday, more than 600 bikers had already registered for the event. 

While there aren’t many motorcycle events in the region, he said it was the city’s time to have an official HOG event in Thunder Bay.

Registration for the event starts at the Kensington Room at the Victoria Inn on July 28 at 2 p.m.

People who wish to participate must be national HOG members.

The parade will take place on Saturday, July 30 at 10 a.m.