Submitted photo | Jean Collins

This will be one of the pieces of artwork on the 2013 N.C. State HOG Rally tee-shirt. This artwork was created by HOG artwork department to help promote the state rallies. In 2009, more than 1,800 persons participated in the rally for Harley Owners Group.

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Mount Airy will once again host large numbers of persons living “high on the HOG,” of the Harley Davidson variety. The city has been chosen by the group as host for the annual N.C. State HOG Rally on Aug. 7-10.

“It’s the largest factory sponsored motorcycle group in the world,” said Harley Owners Group (HOG) spokesperson Jean Collins. “We have close to a million members worldwide.”

She said the group was founded in 1983 and will celebrate its 30th birthday this year. Additionally, Harley Davidson will be observing its 110th year with celebrations in Milwaukee, Wis.

Collins said the group came to Mount Airy for its rally in 2009 with a total of 1,800 registered participants for the two-day event. Persons from 28 different states and overseas were represented in the membership that year.

“That number is just those who registered for the rally,” said Collins. “Other family members came in with the participants as well as those who came to town just to be a part of what was going on.”

Collins said the group first held a one-day rally in 2005 and kept coming back because of how friendly people in Mount Airy and Surry County were to the participants. She characterized the group as a family-oriented organization.

“We are a family-oriented, non-religious, non-political organization of persons who enjoy the freedom and heritage Harley represents. We like to ride our Harleys and enjoy our families.”

She also said the rally welcomes local organizations and groups who want to stage rally week events in August for participants. In previous years, events such as a pancake breakfast or a bike show have been held for participants. Collins said one year Goober’s Restaurant offered entertainment outside one evening of the rally.

Collins said participants like to have a variety of activities to choose from. Tentative plans for the rally include trips to the Blue Ridge Parkway, Mabry Mill and wine tastings and tours of local wineries as well as Yadkin Valley wineries, a parade of lights, a scavenger hunt in downtown Mount Airy and a 30th Birthday Bash at Veteran’s Park.

Interested persons can contact Collins at 336-352-4400 and visit the organization’s website at www.ncstatehogrally.com.