Just follow the low thrum of motorcycles if you’re looking to attend the Hog Wild event in Ocean Shores this weekend. The biggest motorcycle rally in Western Washington, Hog Wild Motorcycle Run will take place on Friday, July 29, through Sunday, July 31, at the Ocean Shores Convention Center.
The event draws motorcycle enthusiasts from across the country to participate in showcases and enjoy an entertaining weekend out at the beach.
“Hog Wild is one of my favorite events. It’s our second-biggest event of people being in town, only after the Fourth of July,” said Ocean Shores Mayor Jon Martin. “Because of its timing, the weather has always been great. It just seems like everyone who shows up to the event are having a good time, and we just love putting this thing on.”
The event kicks off on Friday with live music and a vendor village from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Live entertainment includes Smells Like Flannel, a 90s/00s alternative grunge cover band, and SR 109, a local blues rock band.
Metal arts, patches, tattoos, apparel, and food are some of the goods being sold by participating vendors throughout the weekend.
The spectacle of the weekend is the biker’s parade, which will depart Hoquiam High School at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 30, and reach the traffic circle in Ocean Shores at approximately 10:40 a.m. Last year, more than 100 bikers participated in the parade. Registration for the parade begins at 8 a.m. at Hoquiam High School.
“One of the original goals of the city before the pandemic was to expand to Harbor-wide events, versus just Ocean Shores,” Martin said. “Now that we’re moving forward, we’re hoping to evolve this to include Aberdeen, Hoquiam, and everyone in the Harbor with it.”
Saturday’s schedule includes a continuation of the vendor village and live music from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Additional performances include 80 Proof Ale, a country-rock cover band.
Those looking for entertainment should be sure to catch motorcycle stunt performances on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
The Seattle Cossacks will be performing from noon to 1 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday. The Cossacks, named after Russia’s calvary members, are known for creating masterful and harrowing formations on top of their “iron horses.”
The group began in the 1930s, and their performances today still pay homage to their beginnings.
“We still ride vintage Harleys of the 30s and 40s. The oldest is a 1930 VL and the newest a 1949 45 CI. There are (1974) and (1980) VL’s, UL’s, and 45s, and (1961) and (1974) Knuckleheads. All bikes are stock except for the handlebars, which are late-50s Flanders, these great old bikes are sturdy and stable enough to bear the weight of multiple riders,” states the Seattle Cossacks website.
Also, 1 Wheel Revolution will be putting on a Harley-Davidson stunt show, as well as on Saturday, from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m, and Sunday, from 11 a.m. to noon. The flashy, narrated performance includes V-twin wheelies, burnouts and drifting.
Showing off is not exclusive to the weekend’s performers, however. From noon to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, bikers can enter their motorcycle in the bike show. There will be specific categories, and awards and prize money are available. Registration will be located at the Hog Wild Information Booth all day Friday and Saturday morning.
A tattoo contest will also occur concurrently with the bike show.
“Attendees can enter in multiple categories. Awards (will be ) given for best female black and white and best female color along with best male black and white and best male color. Sign up is at the Hog Wild Information Booth all day Friday and Saturday a.m.,” said Ocean Shores Convention Center General Manager Diane Solem.
The weekend will conclude with a second set of performances, but not before a church service held at the Convention Center parking lot on the main stage. The Faith Riders will be facilitating the service at 10 a.m. on Sunday.
