Motorcycles rumble down Massachusetts Street on Saturday. The procession was part of the Harley Owners Group rally parade to South Park.

Harley-Davidson riders invaded downtown Lawrence on Saturday afternoon. Whether it was a sportster, road glide, heritage softtail classic or ultra classic, the rev of the engine and the shine of the chrome caught the attention of the crowd that had lined up to see the group of some 600 motorcyclists cruise down Massachusetts Street.

The parade, which started about half an hour late, was the final event in the three-day long Harley Owners Group rally, which has been in Lawrence since Thursday.

The parade started at the I-70 Business Center and ended at South Park, where the bikers gathered for a group photo.

Organizer Mark Marcellus said the parade is one of his favorite parts of the annual rally. “One, we like to show off. Two, people like to see shiny Harleys,” he said. “Parades are fun. It is neat to see little kids come out and wave. It’s good for the heart and soul.”

For those who lined the street, there were memories of motorcycles past and the hopes of future Harleys.

“To look at the motorcycles, to watch the Harleys roll by, to listen to those great exhaust notes because nothing sounds like a Harley,” Robert Babcock gave as his reason for coming.

Babcock was with his wife, Michelle. The couple, who were celebrating their 28th wedding anniversary, just so happened to have spent their honeymoon on motorcycles. They were drawn to the freedom of the bike.

“It’s the modern-day equivalent of a horse,” Babcock said. “Except with a Harley, it’s horsepower.”

Nearby was Sean Flores, who brought his two sons and their friends to the parade. The boys have a mini chopper and Flores used to have motorcycles.

He’s been thinking about getting a Harley, but is waiting for the “right time and right bike.”

“It’s the chrome and the noise of them,” Flores said.

Along with locals, Saturday’s bikers came from 12 different states and as far away as Australia.

Among those who took to the road were Gary and Melissa Rodgers. The couple came all the way from Houston on a blue police officer ultra classic Harley.

While the trip was more about the journey than the destination, they had fun in Lawrence.

“You get here and you meet so many people. It is like a big family,” Gary Rodgers said.