Rolling Thunder XXXVIII – 6th Annual Mid-America Demonstration Parade Ride – 2026

Event date: 
Sun, 05/24/2026 - 9:00am

The ride is on!  Yes it's raining at 6:30 so put your rain gear on.  Our soldiers are waiting  

As a Chapter we do support Rolling Thunder.  Together we will ride with them to support our POW's and MIA's.

Members of Illinois Rolling Thunder chapters invite all area motorcyclists to join them in the 38th annual nationwide Ride for Freedom starting at James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center on Sunday, May 24, 2026.  No Entry Fee.

The purpose of the ride is to remind our government to keep searching for our 80,000+ missing service men and woman.

We will meet at Woodstock H-D at 7:30 a.m. for an 8:00 a.m. KSU for a ride to North Chicago where we will ride in as a group to support this great event.

Riders will stage from 8:30 to 10 a.m. May 24, 2026 at the James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center, 3001 Green Bay Road, North Chicago. It’s K.S.U. promptly at 10 A.M. for the 54 mile, rain-or-shine ride, which will take participants past Hines VA Medical Center and on to Cantigny Park in Wheaton.

Wayne Kirkpatrick, a retired U.S. Army colonel who lives in Algonquin, said that while the location of the ride has changed, its focus remains the same.  The ride, which for decades drew hundreds of thousands of motorcyclists from across the country to Washington, D.C., on Memorial Day weekend, is a reminder to all that the search is not over for nearly 81,000 service men and women still listed as Missing In Action.

“We want to keep our POWs and MIAs top of mind,” Kirkpatrick said. “From all wars, more than 82,000 U.S. service members are still missing.  We have to be vigilant in ensuring that government funding continues to be set aside for the recovery, repatriation and proper burial of these patriots.  We owe them that. We owe it to their families.”

Ride Leader will be Larry Roewer - 815-354-2711

Event location:
See map: Google Maps

Closed Event: Chapter activities are conducted primarily for the benefit of H.O.G. Chapter members. Closed Events are those events open to Chapter members and one guest per member.  All guests must sign an event release. Be aware, all rides and events are subject to change or cancellation due to weather or other circumstances beyond our control.

Impairment Policy: The consumption and use of alcohol is a serious personal responsibility involving the safety of family, riding friends and the individual HOG member. Alcohol consumption before or during a motorcycling activity is not safe, responsible behavior. Woodstock Chapter #5668 does not allow the use of alcohol or drugs before or during a riding event* and does not furnish alcohol at Chapter rides. Riders whose skills are observed or suspected to be impaired by alcohol or drugs before riding cannot join the ride. Riders using alcohol or drugs while riding will be asked to leave the ride. It is the responsibility of each Template Chapter member to support the consistent enforcement of this policy

Photography Policy: Photographing, filming, recording and videotaping of activities and events will be occurring Woodstock Chapter events. By entering the H.O.G.® event area, you irrevocably grant permission to the Harley-Davidson Motor Company® and its agents to photograph, film, record and/or videotape you and use (and authorize the use of) your name, image, likeness, voice, and/or biographical or other information in any and all media now known or hereinafter developed in perpetuity for any and all purposes.

Event Coordinator: 
Larry Roewer
Director

director@woodstockhog.org