Mackinaw Crossings has received permission to host a party for an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 motorcycle riders Monday, August 25. The riders will stop in Mackinaw City on a trip to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the base of operations for Harley Davidson. The ride, called the 105th Ride Home, references more than 100 years of Harley history. It is open to the public.

The special event, unanimously approved by the village council Thursday, August 7, was met with a number of questions and concerns by Council, the public, and village police, however, the consensus is that the event is likely to be a boon to the village.

Permission to host the party was requested by Sarah Grant, assistant manager of Mackinaw Crossings shopping mall.

Council approved the block party, to take place at the back of the mall on Mackinaw Crossings Drive from 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. The party is expected to include bands, a laser light show, a pig roast, and tents surrounded by a snow fence that will establish an area for alcoholic beverages to be consumed. Attendees will not be allowed to leave the tents with alcohol, Ms. Grant said. Food costs $8.

The bikers, who will be traveling from throughout the state, will converge in Gaylord Sunday, August 24, before they ride to Mackinaw City. This will give Crossings organizers a chance to gauge the actual count of bikers to come into the village the next day, Ms. Grant explained.

Trustee Jeff Hingston requested confirmation of the number of bikers to arrive.

Organizers of the ride told the shopping center to expect 20,000 people, she said, but it is only a guess.

"That is what we will be ready for," Ms. Grant added. "I hope that it is true. They are filling up the hotels. Several are already filled up, so they are planning on coming here."

These are affluent riders, Ms. Grant noted, and she does not anticipate trouble.

The draw to Mackinaw City was largely the result of the presence of Zips Mackinaw City Harley-Davidson in the mall, which is one of the event's organizers and a host, Ms. Grant said.

Mackinaw Crossings will ensure that parking for shoppers and space for emergency vehicles will be established, Ms. Grant said in response to council concerns.

Owing to ongoing complaints about noise, the original ending time of midnight was changed to 10:30 p.m.

Ms. Grant told Police Chief Patrick Wyman that she will be the contact person for police and that mall security will be prepared to handle problems, should they arise.

All permits required for the event have been approved, she said.

Trustee James Alford asked Chief Wyman if the police are prepared to handle the event. Mr. Wyman, who indicated earlier in the discussion that he had not been informed about the event, was unsure.

He noted, however, that the 100 Year Ride that stopped in Mackinaw City five years ago, and there were no problems then.

To provide perspective, said Dawn Edwards, director of the chamber of commerce, the crowd would amount to "half a bridge walk."

"We usually get about 40,000," she said.

Mr. Alford noted that during bridge walks, several police agencies are on hand for security and emergencies.

Drawing on the help of other area police forces is standard procedure for large Mackinaw City events, Village Manager Jeff Lawson said.

"In the Straits area, we are prepared for large crowds," he said. "On any given weekend, there are 10,000 to 15,000 people in town. If we need assistance, we have always had good response from county and state police, and in some instances, other communities."

"It seems like you're going ahead with a very loose plan," area resident Hugh Murray.

Another citizen noted that the Harley riders have the right to come through town, even if an organization doesn't host them.

"They will" arrive, Ms. Grant said. "I would just like to keep them here. If not, they are just going to keep on going."