Hotel Julien Dubuque to Host the Mid-America H.O.G. Rally

DUBUQUE, IA –Hotel Julien Dubuque and the City of Dubuque are excited to welcome Harley-Davidson H.O.G members to The First Ever Regional Mid-America H.O.G Rally presenting Hollywood Dubuque on July 21-23, 2022.

Hotel Julien Dubuque will serve as the host hotel and home base for the rally, which will include a number of self-guided and guided rides to a variety of attractions, historic milestones, and activities related to the film and television industry. These unique stops can be found scattered throughout the Tri-State area.

“As the Rally Coordinator, it is truly exciting to know that the hard work of the volunteer H.O.G Rally committee and support from a number of Dubuque’s hotel general managers has resulted in Dubuque being awarded a regional H.O.G Rally for its first time ever. Our area has so many unique things to see and experience. H.O.G riders will enjoy all of their time here and ride home with tremendous memories of Dubuque and Iowa,” commented Hotel Julien Dubuque General Manager and Rally Coordinator, Dwight Hopfauf.

H.O.G or better known as the Harley Owners Group is a community of riders who own or appreciate Harley-Davidson motorcycles. These H.O.G members get to partake in various H.O.G rallies and Harley-Davidson-based events all over the world. There are over 1,000,000 H.O.G. members world-wide. Learn more about the HOG membership and their events here.

“As a Regional Manager for Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.), the official riding club of Harley-Davidson, I am excited and looking forward to the Mid-America H.O.G. Rally in Dubuque.   The rich historic elements and great riding that the area has to offer the members of Harley Owners Group will provide a great and enjoyable riding experience.  H.O.G. rallies are all about riding and camaraderie and our membership is looking forward to this exciting event!” shared H.O.G. Regional Manager Paul Blotske of Harley-Davidson.

Coming in July 2022, the Mid-America H.O.G. Rally presenting Hollywood Dubuque will make its way to Iowa in mid-summer. Stops for the riders will include sites that have made it on the big screen or have been a part of some Hollywood history such as the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, the American Pickers store in Clinton, and of course the iconic Field of Dreams movie site in Dyersville, IA.

Events and Rides Coordinator, Doug McKenney, shared, “Our H.O.G rally attendees will have some tough choices to make on which rides they want to do on which days. Rides are planned for both sides, North and South of the twisty Mississippi River, cruising on a #1 rated Main Street in America, stopping at the National Motorcycle Museum in Anamosa, visiting the Midwest rider icon gathering place Poopy’s in Savanna, getting to watch wool blankets being weaved at the Amana Colonies, and touring some of the great beautiful waterfalls in Iowa, just to share a bit about the fun rides to take. They will even get to see The Ghost Players emerge from the Iowa corn at the Field of Dreams movie site.”

Rally attendees will be partaking in three activity-filled days featuring daily guided and self-guided rides, fun evening activities, movies, contests, specially priced attractions and dining offerings, and the enjoyment of riding the wide-open rolling plains of the Tri-State area. A special time during the rally will be to honor Iowan’s very own Prisoner of War Hero, Dan Hefel, as the rally attendees will have the opportunity to watch “The Final 19” movie documentary of Dan’s time as a POW in Vietnam. Special guest appearances of Dan and the movie director Tim Breitbach are planned.

“Out of the fifty states of the US, only four have more bordering states than Iowa. Iowa’s unique location provides interesting stops on the way to The Mid-America H.O.G Rally for riders coming in all directions,” states Hopfauf. “Riders from the East can stop in Woodstock, IL to see where Ground Hog Day was filmed in the downtown square, or riders from the North can stop to pay respect at the crash site of Ritchie Valens from the movie La Bamba. Those throttling up from the South can plan to a ride to St. Joseph, Missouri to see the Missouri Valley Trust Building from movie, Paper Moon. And last but not least, our rally riders from the West can tour some very special celebrity birthplaces such as John Wayne’s birthplace and museum in Winterset, IA and late night host Johnny Carson’s birthplace in Corning, IA!”

More information about the rally and registration can be found at members.hog.com and the rally Facebook page, beginning December 2021. Please watch for updates.

Lodging reservations are open at the following hotels that provided support to the rally. Please contact the hotels directly to reserve.

Hotel Julien Dubuque, (headquarter hotel) the one and only first ever USA Final Rose Ceremony hotel of ABC’s Reality Show, The Bachelor – 563) 556-4200

Best Western Plus Dubuque- (563) 557-8000

Grand Harbor Resort- (563) 690-4000

Hampton Inn- (563) 690-2005

Hilton Garden Inn- 563) 585-5200

Holiday Inn Downtown- 563) 556-2000

TownePlace Suites by Marriott- (563) 258-4500

ABOUT HOTEL JULIEN DUBUQUE

Located in the heart of Dubuque’s Old Main District, Hotel Julien Dubuque offers the area’s most elegant accommodations and impeccable service. Built in 1915 and extensively renovated in 2009 to restore its original grandeur, this remarkable boutique hotel marries modern amenities with historic charm, featuring richly appointed suites, a stunning Grande Ballroom, exquisite meeting spaces, and a sunlit pool and fitness center.  An annual recipient of TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence, the property is home to Potosa Spa, Caroline’s Restaurant, and Riverboat Lounge, a local hot spot for live music and craft cocktails. Over the decades the hotel has welcomed its share of dignitaries, including Abraham Lincoln, “Buffalo Bill” Cody and Mark Twain, along with the notorious Chicago gangster Al Capone.

For additional information and to book your stay at Hotel Julien Dubuque, please call 563.556.4200 or visit www.hoteljuliendubuque.com.

Hotel Julien Dubuque is managed by IDM Group (www.idmhospitality.com), based in Madison, Wis. and specializing in boutique hotel development, acquisition, repositioning and management. 

OTHER CONTACTS:     

For Media Requests on the rally, please contact Robin McKenney  (Robin_McKenney@ajg.com)

For Requests about H.O.G, please contact Paul Blotske (Paul.Blotske@harley-davidson.com)