Bikers fill Water Street Sunday for 110th anniversary block party



MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- As the Harley-Davidson 110th anniversary celebration winds down, Water Street played host to a Harley-Davidson block party on Sunday, September 1st.

The big street party kicked off at 2:00 p.m. and runs until 11:30 p.m. Sunday.

Musical guests included Familiar Looking Strangers at 3:00 p.m., Chason Mason at 5:00 p.m., and Puddle of Mudd at 8:30 p.m.

Water Street bars were busy, and so were street truck vendors, who say this have been a very successful week for business.

"It's a good thrust for all of us at the end of the season. We've pretty much sold out every day we've been out here," Chris Jourdan with Waffle Dogs said.

What started out as a sunny day took a short detour when the sky turned gray Sunday afternoon, but while nearby cities were caught in a downpour, Water Street got just a sprinkle.

Many bikers say they're used to riding in the elements.

"There`s something special. There`s something magical about being on a bike and being open to the elements -- be it sun, rain, whatever," Sandy Peters said.

After Sunday's party on Water Street, many riders will be heading home.

FOX6 News spoke with a man from Tennessee who said he felt so welcome in Milwaukee, and all of southeastern Wisconsin.

"This is the party of the year! This is a party in a 100-mile radius. Every town, every community is involved in this rally and they`re all out to ensure that riders -- the people that come in here have the best time possible and I love it.  I like being pampered. I like to see the people on the overpasses welcome me home. Really enjoying the community," Bill "Jawz" Witdel said.