More than 180 motorcycle riders will venture to Minot this weekend for "camaraderie and fellowship," the North Dakota H.O.G. Rally Site Coordinator Steve Smith said.
Many events will be held this Friday and Saturday including a pig roast that will be put on by the Roughrider Harley-Davidson, bike games at the Grand International Inn, and a motorcycle parade on the streets of Minot.
According to the H.O.G website, H.O.G is a group of owners of Harley-Davidson motorcycles who meet to, "Have fun, support worthy causes, and ride."
"It's hard to describe. If you're riding, anyone will approach you. You can't define it. You meet the neatest people that wouldn't come up to you if you weren't riding a Harley," Smith said.
The parade will begin on Friday at 5 p.m. The route will start at the Grand International Inn and follow Third Street Northeast going south to Valley Street, 13th Street Southeast, and 20th Avenue Southeast and end at Roughrider Harley Davidson. The procession will be an opportunity for the people of Minot to see motorcycles and the people who ride them.
"Anyone can come. We're even getting people from the nursing home outside to see the bikes go by," Smith said.
The North Dakota chapter of H.O.G chose the route in coordination with the Minot Police Department because it was the safest. "Safety is critical. We don't want anyone to be hurt on a motorcycle," Smith said.
Members of H.O.G. will be coming from as far away as North Carolina, Texas, and Canada to take part in the rally. Smith said the best part of riding in and around Minot is the beautiful scenery, well paved roads, and the food.
"We live to ride and eat," he said.
This weekend there will be plenty of opportunities for motorcycle enthusiasts to take part in everything that H.O.G has to offer. Then again, the slogan for H.O.G. is, "Ride and have fun."