North Lawrence Harley parade to take off Saturday

Dozens of motorcycles shone in the Holidome parking lot Friday afternoon. They might have all been Harley-Davidsons, but each was definitely unique.

Some motorcycles were decked out in leather and studs, others had black fur seats and one even had a teddy bear in the back.

Those bikes and more will parade down North Second and Massachusetts streets at 4 p.m. today. Since Thursday, Lawrence has hosted hundreds of motorcyclists as part of the Kansas Harley Owners Group 2009 rally.

“We have great weather, people are smiling, I like it,” rally coordinator Mark Marcellus said above the roar of a group of motorcycles about to take off.

Today’s parade will start in North Lawrence at the I-70 Business Center and head down North Second Street, cross over the Kansas River Bridge, continue down Massachusetts Street and end at South Park for a group photo.

The parade will be escorted by both the Topeka and Lawrence police departments, with some of the officers on bikes themselves, Marcellus said.

Along with the parade, motorcyclists will go on group rides to regional attractions and participate in the DAM Poker Run.