Iron Horse Ranch House in Market Deeping hosted the first Trans- Atlantic Harley Rocks, Biker Party in the UK to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Kegal Harley Davidson in Rockford Illinois USA.
300 invited UK guests rocked the night away on Saturday Night at the same time as Kegal Harley Davidson hosted 4000 customers and friends with a BBQ and Live Bands in the afternoon.
The UK Harley Rocks event was co-ordinated by Cellet Travel on behalf of Rockford Illinois Visitors Bureau to promote tourism to America and Illinois in particular. A reciprocal opportunity now exists to encourage American visitors to look at the East of England as a visitor destination.
Owner Richard Swinscoe said “It is an absolute privilege to be chosen to host this unique event in Market Deeping and to represent the UK to our American guests. I would like to publicly thank our Mayor Reg Howard, the town council and our local businesses for their commercial vision, help and support in staging this fantastic evening. I sincerely hope that this is the first step in bringing more visitors to our area and benefiting our community.”
The evening started with a “Rolling Thunder” cavalcade of 100 Harley Davidson Motorcycles and other vehicles from Stamford to Market Deeping. Harley Davidson Motorcycle Clubs from throughout the UK attended this event to celebrate Kegal Harley Davidson’s special day and demonstrate that American style motorcycling is alive and well in the UK.
As the Bikes roared into town, Cheerleaders from the local Ministry of Dance School welcomed them into town and add a touch of Americana. Guests then tucked into an authentic American Style BBQ and sampled a wide range of specially imported Hand Crafted American Beers to give them a taste of “Real America”
Richard Swinscoe commented “We recreate the “American Dream” for our customers with tasty home-style cooking and a genuine friendly welcome, it’s not unusual for our customers to travel over a hundred miles to come and visit but I have to say, having customers fly in from Illinois to party was amazing.”
Richard added “ The highlight of the evening for me was seeing the Civic Dignitaries from Stamford, Spalding, Market Deeping and Deeping St James “Rocking it” on the dance floor (to our brilliant band called “Wrooted”) , with our new Illinois friends and loads of Harley Bikers.
For me it summed up what the whole night was about, Trans- Atlantic celebration, making new friends and having fun.”
For more pictures from this event please see our gallery!
