Milwaukee has a strong history with motorcycles – and not just Harleys. The city is filled with bikers and non-bikers who appreciate the art and culture of motorcycling as much as the machines themselves.

With that in mind, a dedicated group of bikers organized The Brewtown Rumble, a new vintage moto fest featuring an antique and classic motorcycle show, live music, pin-up girl contest and vendors.

In January, OnMilwaukee.com first reported on The Rumble, which is free. It takes place Sunday, May 17 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Best Place 901 W. Juneau Ave., and the surrounding streets, known as "the Brewery" neighborhood. Everyone is welcome.

"Anyone who appreciates art and craftsmanship should enjoy the work the builders do on their bikes. To me it’s an ultimate form of upcycling where old bikes are kept running to be used and ridden not just put up for display somewhere," says Kevin Frank, one of the Rumble's main organizers. "The Historic Pabst Brewery, a neighborhood doing the same type of restoration, is the perfect backdrop for the show."

The event was created by members of the Badger Heritage Chapter of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America and MilVinMoto, a group of vintage motorcycle enthusiasts from Milwaukee, including Gwenn Barker, Robin Barry, Ron Brefka, Larry Bilda, Kendrick Acken, David Alexander, Noel Tylla, Aricka Cohen and Mike Budish.

In early 2014, Riverwest-based motorcycle festival Rockerbox announced it was moving to Road America in Elkhart Lake. Shortly after hearing the news, Frank reached out to other motorcycle enthusiasts to see if they wanted to organize a similar event in Milwaukee.

The bike show portion of the Rumble is open to anyone with a stock or custom antique, vintage, or retro motorcycle that is at least 25 years old. Registration is $10 per bike through Friday, May 15 or $15 for on-site registration on the day of the festival.

All proceeds from the event will go to BUILD Moto, an educational organization dedicated to pairing teams of high school students with bike-building mentors to learn life and interpersonal skills while restoring vintage motorcycles.

The Brewtown Rumble will feature live music by The Grovelers, Crazy Rocket Fuel and Doghouse Flowers on the Pabst Music Stage. More than 20 exhibitors including bike shops and dealers, moto-related organizations, accessory vendors and food from Bel Air Cantina along with local food trucks will be on site. Go here for the full schedule.

There will also be a Miss Brewtown Rumble pin-up contest, which this author has agreed to judge. Vroom, vroom. 

A pre-festival party will take place the day before, Saturday, May 16, at the Harley-Davidson Museum, 400 W. Canal St. The party will include live music by the Cat Club, a rockabilly trio from Spain.

The Brewtown Rumble is sponsored by the Harley-Davidson Museum, Best Place at the Pabst Brewery, Pabst Brewing Company, 91.7 WMSE, Steelhorse Law, Reina International Auto, Fuel Café, Porcaro Indian Motorcycles of Racine, Moto Union and Schlossmann Motorcycles.

"The show may be about vintage bikes but the festival is really about motorcycling lifestyle. Not one brand or era, but the art and culture of motorcycling, and that is something embraced by both groups organizing the event: Badger Heritage Club and MilVinMoto," says Frank.

"It will be a great place for people with an interest in motorcycles who don't ride yet. Besides learning opportunities, they can see how a vintage bike is a great option for a "beginners' bike" rather than compromising on a cheaper new one."