While city and council officials across the country discourage motorcycle events or pass initiatives to cancel them all together, at last week's Great Falls City Council meeting in Montana, Mayor Dona Stebbins declared this upcoming weekend to be the 'H.O.G. Days of Summer in Great Falls.'

Hundreds of Harley-Davidson motorcycles are expected to rumble into town for the Montana State Harley Owner's Group Rally which starts today and rides on to Saturday.

Local merchants are joining in the fun by rescheduling a popular street event, Alive@5 weekly party to Friday night to accommodate the bikers. In return, bikers are giving a parade at 4pm on Friday for residents and non-riders to enjoy the sight of hundreds of motorcycles.

By last week the event had over 600 pre-registrations drawing riders from as far away as Alaska, Florida, California and North Carolina. Organizers even expect some Canadian riders to attend.

This year's Montana rally theme is 'Prairies, Peaks and Pirate Treasures' and local vendor Dixie Boland of Great Falls Theatrical Costumes said she ordered extra pirate costumes for the event, and she still has some available for any adventurous rally attendees.