A locals’ guide to navigating Harley 115 for nonbikers

Engines rumble, roads close, Lyft gets ready ahead of landmark anniversary celebrations

If you haven’t noticed the rumble of engines rolling into Milwaukee, maybe you’ve noticed some road closures and reroutes.

It’s that time again. Harley-Davidson is celebrating another landmark anniversary.

The Milwaukee-based motorcycle producer is celebrating its 115th year in business. The party goes through Monday. Visit Milwaukee estimates 150,000 visitors through this weekend.

The focus of this year’s birthday bash is on street parties. A lot of the events are free, but $50 Rally Packs get you discounts on drinks (and a T-shirt).

Parking is going to be an issue (bet you wish that streetcar was open right about now). Harley is directing people to street parking. So if you don’t need to drive, don’t.

Taxis and ride-sharing apps are available.

Lyft is the official rideshare partner with Harley 115. Use the code “HD115” and get 20% off one ride to one of the following official pickup and drop-off locations:

❚ Harley-Davidson Headquarters at 3700 W. Juneau Ave.

❚ Veterans Park at 1010 N. Lincoln Memorial Dr.

❚ Bradford Beach at 2400 N. Lincoln Memorial Dr.

❚ Harley-Davidson Museum at 400 W. Canal St.

❚ H-D Powertrain Operations at W156-N9000 Pilgrim Rd., Menomonee Falls.

Milwaukee County Transit System has changed a couple routes for the parade and the Brady Street party: Route 80, the GreenLine and Route 14. Check MCTS’s website for details.

In order to accommodate these street parties, there are some pretty extensive street closures. See the details below, but here’s a summary:

Walker’s Point is essentially closed (aside from First Street) on Friday and Saturday. Harley says on its website that the locals are calling Brady Street “mini-Sturgis” — haven’t heard that one from a true local yet — so don’t even think about trying to drive near Brady

Street on Friday and Saturday unless you’re going to the party.

The Third Ward is a no-go on Broadway on Saturday and Sunday. If you commute home past the Harley Museum via the Sixth Street Viaduct, forget about it, it’s already closed for business.

The parade is Sunday afternoon; it starts at North 45th Street and West Wisconsin Avenue and ends at Veterans Park on the lakefront.

Street closures already in effect

❚ West Layton Avenue from South 60th to 64th streets in Greenfield, closed until Sept. 4.

❚ West Silver Spring Road from North Lovers Lane to the Pepsi driveway, open to motorcycle traffic only until 10 p.m. Sept. 3.

❚ North 5th Street from West Wisconsin Avenue to the Hilton Milwaukee, closed until 8 p.m. Sept. 3.

❚ North 4th Street from McKinley Avenue to Vliet Street closed until 10 p.m. Sept. 2.

❚ 6th Street Viaduct from West Canal Street to the roundabout, closed until 1 a.m. Sept. 3.

❚ North 70th Street from West State Street to Honey Creek Parkway in Wauwatosa, closed from 4 to 11 p.m. until Sept. 1.

Friday, Aug. 31

❚ West Kilbourn Avenue from North 4th to North 6th streets, closed from 6 a.m. to midnight Aug. 31.

❚ South 5th Street from West National Avenue to Virginia Street, Pierce Street from 4th Street to 6th Street, West Bruce Street from South 4th Street to South 6th Street, closed from noon Aug. 31 to noon Sept. 2.

❚ East Brady Street, from North Farwell Avenue to North Cass Street, open to motorcycle traffic only from noon to 3 a.m. on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1.

❚ North Warren Avenue, North Arlington Place and North Franklin Place will be closed starting at East Brady Street to 150 feet south from noon to 3 a.m. on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1.

❚ North Astor Street will be closed starting at East Brady Street to 150 feet north from noon to 3 a.m. on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1.

Saturday, Sept. 1

❚ North Broadway, from East St. Paul Avenue to East Menomonee Street, and East Menomonee Street, from North Broadway to East Erie Street, open to motorcycle traffic only from 10 a.m. to midnight Sept. 1.

❚ East Menomonee, from North Broadway to North Milwaukee Street, closed from 10 a.m. to midnight Sept. 1.

Sunday, Sept. 2

❚ North Story Parkway, from Yount Drive to West Bluemound Road; West Bluemound Road, from North Story Parkway to West Wisconsin Avenue; West and East Wisconsin Avenue, from West Bluemound Road to North Prospect Avenue; North Prospect Avenue, from East Wisconsin Avenue to East Mason Street; and East Mason Street, from North Prospect Avenue to County Grounds, closed from 1 to 4 p.m. Sept. 2.

❚ East Juneau Avenue, from North Water Street to North Edison Street, closed 3 p.m. to midnight Sept. 2.

Stunt riders 10A

defy danger at Harley’s anniversary.