Hog Daze revving to go

Hog Daze revving to Go

Inaugural event, festivities set to begin Friday

By Richard Gootee

ctreport@att.net

Published: Thursday, September 16, 2010 1:08 AM EDT

Marion leaders hope a new event this weekend helps the city reclaim its place in history as the birthplace of an iconic motorcycle nickname.

After the 1920 Marion International Motorcycle Race, a photographer captured winner Ray Weishaar taking a victory lap with a small pig sitting atop his bike. The photo, along with other appearances by
the duo contributed to the nickname of the Harley Davidson racing team, the Hog Boys, which led to Harley motorcycles being known simply as “hogs.”

Jonathan Perez, a Harley owner and Mayor Wayne Seybold’s chief of staff, said he was unaware of the city’s link to motorcycle racing until footage of the 1919 race was found in the archives of the Library
of Congress. He said the city should be proud of its part in history.
“It is as much Marion, Indiana history as it is Harley history,” he said. “… I think that is the most interesting part.”

Almost a century later, Main Street Marion will celebrate that history with the “Hog Daze Night”
motorcycle rally Saturday just east of Ballard Park on Ind. 18. In addition to the rally, which begins at
noon and culminates with a Chasing Tail ride scheduled for 2 p.m., organizers plan to mark Marion as
the “Home of the Hog” with a hog roast beginning at noon along with live music, an Octoberfest tent
and vendors, which cater to motorcycle enthusiasts. There will also be a display celebrating the
famous 1920 race.

A Led Zeppelin cover band will perform at 9:30 p.m. The festival is scheduled to last into Sunday
morning at 2:30 a.m.A portion of the money from the motorcycle ride will be donated to the Hoosier Burn Camp, which benefits children suffering from severe burns. Organizers are also asking attendees to donate $2 to the charity.

Because this is the first year for the event, organizers remain unsure how many people might come.
“We’re not sure if we’re expecting 500 or 5,000, (people)” Main Street Marion president Aletha
Dunston said.

But they expect one animal to be in attendance. Dunston said a small pig, resembling the one that
helped make the city famous, should be available for photos and might partake in the motorcycle rally.
Main Street Marion director Jennifer Seybold said everyone is invited to the event, which will include
face paining for the kids during the day, but added that many of the events in the evening cater to an
older audience.

Jennifer Seybold was excited for the event that came together because of a group effort, she said.
“We seem to have excitement (for the event” inside and outside of the community,” she said.
Some of the food vendors will be open for lunch at 11 a.m. Friday, so that people can come look at the
festival site.

Registration for the ride costs $10 and can be completed at the festival. For more information, call
662-9931 or visit www.homeofthehog.com. Participants can also camp at the festival site Friday and
Saturday night for free. Camping for recreational vehicles is $20. God’s House Ministries will host a 9
a.m. service at the campsite. Excluding the pig, animals are not allowed at the event.

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