More than 450 Harley-Davidson enthusiasts from all over the state and beyond will roar into Moree next weekend (September 8, 9 and 10) for the 2017 NSW/ACT HOG Rally.
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Hosted by the Big Sky HOG (Harly Owners Group) Chapter, based in Moree and sponsored by Thomas Lee Motorcycles, the three-day ‘Party in the Plains’ rally is set to bring a huge tourism boost to town.
HOGs from all over NSW and Queensland, as well as some keen members from as far as Tasmania, South Australia and even Papua New Guinea, will make the trek to Moree for the annual rally.
“It’ll put Moree on the map,” Big Sky HOG Chapter assistant director Steve Gower said.
“It’s a big thing for Moree and will be a massive cash injection for the weekend; every motel in town will have someone from the HOG, the cafes will be buzzing and the public will see a lot of Harleys around.”
HOGS will arrive in Moree on Friday, September 8 for registration that morning at Moree Services Club.
On Friday night the HOGs will enjoy dinner and entertainment at the club, with a Rawhide theme, since Moree is ‘out west’.
Two local bands – Contingency Plan from Moree and Three Mile Junction from Bingara – will provide the entertainment for the evening.
On Saturday morning, there’ll be three guided rides around the region for the HOGs to choose from, one being run by the Ladies of Harley.
“It’ll highlight the different areas around and off the Moree Plains,” Mr Gower said.
“It gives people different bearings of the landscape.”
That afternoon there’ll be a Chapter Challenge with a variety of games on motorbikes between the different chapters.
“One will be with a rider and a pillion who will be given balloons filled with water and have to throw them over a highjump and catch the balloon. Obviously if they don’t catch it, they’ll get wet,” Mr Gower said.
“There’ll also be Slow Rider, where we do a course over 40 metres the slowest. That is very hard when you’ve got a bike that’s around 700kg and you can’t put your feet down or you’re out.
“It’s just to make it a bit of fun.”
On Saturday night there’ll be another sit-down dinner and entertainment by the Screaming Eagles – a Harley-Davidson band – at the Services Club.
Sunday will be open to the public, with the Moree community invited to come along to the Services Club at 9am to wave the HOGs off on their Thunder Run, with people encouraged to line the streets.
After the Thunder Run, the HOGs will return to the club where they’ll line their bikes up for a Show and Shine at about 10.30am.
“In the Harley Owners Group you won’t see two bikes there the same – there might be the same models and similar in colour but all the guys and ladies have personalised their bike to suit their taste,” Mr Gower said.
“HOGs come from all walks of life, from council workers right through to multi-million dollar businessmen; the one thing we all have in common is a passion for Harley-Davidsons.”
Any money that the HOGs raise while they’re in Moree will be given back to the local community.
They’ve chosen three groups – Royal Far West, Moree Soccer Club and Moree Air Cadets – which each support local children.
“It’s all about the kids and giving back to the kids,” Mr Gower said.
