Following the triumph of Harley-Davidson's mid-summer celebration in Milwaukee, the iconic motorcycle manufacturer has announced that they will be hosting the event again in 2024. What started as a commemoration of the brand's 120th anniversary may now become an annual affair, rather than a once-in-five-or-ten-years special occasion.

This year's Homecoming event attracted riders from all across North America, who took part in the festivities by following one of six pre-planned Ride In routes. These routes allowed participants to stop at various Harley-Davidson dealerships en route, providing opportunities to reunite with old friends, meet new ones, work on their bikes, enjoy meals together, and more. While there were no Adventure (ADV) routes this time, there's hope for a Pan America-friendly option next year.

According to Harley-Davidson's PR, an impressive 80,000 attendees relished the downtown Milwaukee concerts, with 73,000 bikes parking at the company's museum and along Sixth Street during the July 13-16 event. Though not reaching the scale of Sturgis numbers, the sheer volume of motorcycles made it an undoubtedly impressive sight (and the actual number of visitors may have been higher, given how rally counts are done).

The concerts featuring Green Day, Joan Jett, and Foo Fighters drew significant crowds, but the festivities also offered an array of other activities. From stunt shows and vintage bike displays to factory tours, police riding demonstrations, and more free concerts downtown, attendees were kept thoroughly entertained. Product demos, including the LiveWire and Staycyc electric bikes, as well as the newly-revealed CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide, further added to the excitement. This continuity in hosting the event annually could prove advantageous for Harley-Davidson, as it allows them to maintain control over the narrative surrounding their products, a commitment CEO Jochen Zeitz has made.

With this in mind, it's no wonder that the Homecoming has already been scheduled for 2024, taking place from July 25 to 28. This follows the successful model adopted by other esteemed motorcycle companies like BMW, Ducati, and Moto Guzzi, who have been hosting similar events in Europe for years. As long as thousands of Harley riders are eager to attend, why not continue this tradition? Enthusiasts are hopeful that an ADV route will be included next year to accommodate those arriving on a Pan America, even though adding unpaved surfaces may pose additional risks that manufacturers may be wary of.

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