From Harley to Jackyl: Inside the return of the National H.O.G. Rally with Jesse James Dupree

Harley-Davidson’s first National H.O.G. (Harley Owners Group) Rally returns for the first time since COVID. The Rally takes place in America’s most patriotic city, Branson, Missouri, for four days of scenic riding, live music and community activities from Wednesday, September 9, to Saturday, September 12, 2026. While all riders are invited to attend and participate in the Rally, the H.O.G. Rally is an official, corporate-sponsored event tailored exclusively to Harley-Davidson owners, maintaining a structured, family-friendly atmosphere centered on scenic touring, charity and brand heritage. 

To get an inside look at what this major event means for the Branson community, the Branson Globe sat down with Jesse James Dupree, a spokesperson for the event and the “frontman” and lead singer and guitarist of the Southern rock band Jackyl, who will be performing at the Rally to get more information on the event. The following, in question-and-answer format, is the result of that interview. The questions were asked by Gary J. Groman, independent journalist, and Dupree gave the answers. 

What is your full name, position and involvement with H.O.G.? Jesse James Dupree. He is with the Full Throttle Saloon Distillery and Restaurant, which has a partnership called Full Throttle of Branson Events. They are producing the National H.O.G. Rally in partnership with the city of Branson and Harley-Davidson. His primary involvement is through these Full Throttle events.

What two things do you most want people to know about the upcoming H.O.G. Rally? First, “H.O.G.” stands for Harley-Davidson Owners Group. These are Harley-Davidson owners whose local chapters organize charity motorcycle rides, support first responders, and raise money for veterans, cancer survivors and other great causes. The event is completely open to the public—you do not have to be a H.O.G. member to attend, participate and enjoy the activities.

The promotional material mentions that the National H.O.G. Rally is back. Where and when was the last National H.O.G. Rally held before this? While Harley-Davidson has continued to host regional H.O.G. rallies, they have not held a national rally since COVID. 

How do H.O.G. Touring Rallies and H.O.G. Regional Rallies differ from the National H.O.G. Rally that will be held in Branson in September? Regional rallies generally attract only riders from their local region, whereas national rallies draw people from all over the country.

For readers who might have some preconceived conceptions about a motorcycle rally based on the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, how does this National H.O.G. Rally differ in scale, culture and organization? This event is a direct partnership with the city of Branson, which Dupree calls “America’s city.” The H.O.G. rally is plugging directly into the Full Throttle Branson Bike Week to create a fun, family-friendly event where kids and families can look at beautiful motorcycles and enjoy food and vendors.

The events differ in three key ways. H.O.G. Rallies are official corporate events organized and structured directly by Harley-Davidson for H.O.G. members. Sturgis is a public event with no single manufacturer running or structuring the show. They focus heavily on structured community-building, riding and family values, with little to no high-risk, wild, or public behavior historically associated with Sturgis. Sturgis is a massive regional takeover drawing 500,000 to over 700,000 people to South Dakota. The National H.O.G. Rally is a more intimate, structured community gathering focused on guided riding.

Why did H.O.G. select Branson as a destination? Because it has a perfect combination of sweeping Ozark riding roads, beautiful lake views and an established entertainment scene that is ideal for the Rally’s nightly activities, providing a scenic, high-quality riding experience during the day and a vibrant atmosphere for fun, entertainment and nightlife after the rides are over.

Where is the Rally’s rider registration and check-in? The primary headquarters for rider registration and check-in is the Hilton Branson Convention Center. Daily rides will depart from the convention center, and arriving members will check in there. Additionally, there will be a major activation hub located on Atlantic Street.

Can non-Harley riders ride in your events? Absolutely.

Where will the core rally entertainment, vendors and food be located, and what local establishments are partnering with the event? The primary hub for food, vendors and entertainment is on Atlantic Street, specifically at 111 E Atlantic St, Branson, right in front of the Full Throttle. Additionally, the Full Throttle Distillery Grill & SmokeHouse at 116 E. Main St. is serving as a major partner venue for rally nightlife. While official partnerships exist, Dupree considers every local business and establishment in the Branson community to be a partner in the Rally.

What’s the live music lineup scheduled for the nightly parties? The nightly entertainment features a strong lineup of headliners. An AC/DC tribute band, Big Gun, will play on Thursday night (September 10); country-rap artist Colt Ford takes the stage on Friday night (September 11); and rock band Jackyl will close out the Rally on Saturday night (September 12). Additionally, local bands from Branson will perform throughout the week.

[Branson’s spectacular blue-grass band, The Petersens, will be performing at 4 p.m. on Friday followed by the Massengale Brothers at 5:30.]

How are local dealer partners contributing to the experience for the rally attendees? What local partners are involved? (The interviewer specifically asked about Teddy Morse). While Dupree emphasized that everyone in the community is considered a partner, official dealer partners are playing a major role. Teddy Morse’s Renegade Harley-Davidson and Pig Trail Harley-Davidson are key dealer partners for the event. Renegade Harley-Davidson is hosting official 2026 Harley-Davidson motorcycle demo rides and providing complimentary lunch for registered rally attendees on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

What are some of the “rides” you’re recommending for riders who want to explore the Ozarks region? H.O.G. has mapped out several premier local routes, including the Table Rock Lake Loop, the Highway 125 Ferry Run, the Glade Top Scenic Byway and historic stretches of Route 66.

What is Ride 365? Ride 365 is an official challenge program where H.O.G. members ride their motorcycles 365 days a year, track and rack up their miles, and receive rewards from the motor company for doing so. To encourage regional exploration during the Branson rally, H.O.G. has integrated several Ride365 mileage challenges and checkpoints. Key routes and check-ins include:

·       Bagnell Dam Loop: A winding 71-mile loop in central Missouri crossing the historic 1931 Bagnell Dam, with a check-in billboard at the south end of the dam.

·       The Pig Trail: A famous 19-mile ride of tight twists through the Ozark National Forest in northwest Arkansas, checking in at the forest’s south entrance.

·       Uranus, MO: A quirky, pun-filled Route 66 roadside attraction in St. Robert, MO, checking in at the Uranus Water Tower.

One of the major highlights is the motorcycle parade. When does it take place and what does it consist of? The precise parade details are still being finalized. Still, it is scheduled to take place on Saturday of the rally week (noted in the scheduling documents as Saturday, September 11, though, calendar-wise, the Saturday of the Rally falls on September 12). The parade is a major celebration of brand pride, allowing attendees to ride together in honor of being part of the world’s largest factory-sponsored motorcycle club.

Besides the parade, which events will be most interesting to people who are not currently motorcycle owners or enthusiasts but want to come out and enjoy the event? The Rally is set up as a fun city-wide festival. Non-motorcycle owners can come out to watch the parade, browse the vendor setups, listen to the live music, grab food, and visit the lemonade stands. Dupree also urged attendees to visit and support all of Branson’s local businesses.

Will there be a display of bikes down there people can look at? Yes; Dupree notes that there will be so many motorcycles in town that visitors will get their necks twisted up trying to look at them all.

What happens if the weather doesn’t cooperate? Dupree’s said, “You’ll get wet.” He emphasized that the Rally is a rain-or-shine event and that they will be rocking regardless of the weather.

Further information on the National H.O.G. Rally email tinfo@ftbransonevents.com