The Harleys roll into Hungary

Thousands of bikers will be donning their leathers and rolling into Hungary for the International Harley Davidson Festival, June 12th – 15th. The ninth annual festival will be taking place in the village of in Alsóörs, near Lake Balaton in the Európa Holiday Camp.

Organised by the Budapest Chapter of the Harley Owner's Group, the festival promises to be a Mecca for all fans of this unique motorbike. One of the major highlights will be the mass parade – a huge procession of approximately a thousand roaring bikes taking place on the Saturday. Contests, concerts, a huge firework display and stunt shows will all be part of the entertainment.

Competitive visitors can get involved in all sorts of contests at the festival, in bike agility, barrel rolling, arm wrestling and beer drinking, with prize giving ceremonies held on the Grand Stage.

Other highlights include a performance by blues rock legend Gary Moore, formerly of Skid Row and Thin Lizzy but huge solo artist in his own right on Friday 13th. There will also be the cream of Hungarian rock bands playing over the weekend, and a goulash party with the Rodeo Country Band (goulash being a traditional kind of Hungarian stew).

Feri Szelei, the first Hungarian stunt biker, will be performing a stunt show, as will Zoltán Angyal and Attila Gombos will be in the riding into the Death Globe for his stunt show performance.

UK bikers planning on getting to the festival are probably best off taking a long road trip through Europe. Take the ferry (ferrysavers.com) from Devon to Calais from £40 return per person and bike, or the Eurotunnel (eurotunnel.com) from Folkestone to Calais from £48 return per person and bike. From Calais, head for Alsóörs riding through Belgium, Germany and Austria. It is a 945 mile journey and should take around 14 hours on the road.

Tickets for the International Harley Davidson are £36 for the full four days. Entrance is free for riders arriving on a vintage Harley Davidson and for children under the age of 12. Day tickets are available from £6.30 per person. Tickets can be booked online at Jegyelado.hu.

To find more information about the International Harley Davidson Festival visit Hog.hu.

To find out more about Hungary log onto Gotohungary.co.uk.