"MDA Heroes" ride in Harley-Davidson 110th Anniversary Parade

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- As thousands gathered at Miller Park for the start of the Harley-Davidson 110th Anniversary Parade on Saturday, August 31st, one rider really soaked in the moment.

"This is going to be a memory for life for me," said Billy Alfahel. "I can't tell you how happy I am to be here today."

Alfahel got the opportunity to ride in his first ever Harley-Davidson Anniversary Parade by donating to the Muscular Dystrophy Association and winning an auction.

"To be here with these beautiful bikes, beautiful people, beautiful event -- I can not even explain it. I can't. There are no words I can tell you. It's just exciting," said Alfahel.

The Muscular Dystrophy Association was also presented a check before the parade, from Manheim Auto Auction General Manager Dennis Worthy.

"They just put some buckets out in our marketing department, put some nice labels on the buckets, and the dealers just threw in whatever money they wanted and we were able to collect $500," said Worthy.

The company says it will now hold an MDA collection annually.

Participants in the parade, which only happens once every five years, say they had plenty of reasons to smile during what some call a "party with wheels."

"The people that ride Harleys, it just seems like they're the friendliest people around," said Worthy.