It’s highly possible that there are people who go to the annual Florence Rhododendron Festival just for the bright native blooms. There are definitely folk who go for the noon Sunday, May 18, grand finale Floral Parade through Old Town Florence. There are also people who go to the festival to ogle the hordes of shiny Harleys that line the streets of Old Town that weekend. The bikes are rarely mentioned in PR for the Rhody Days fest, but they dominate the scene. Not to be missed is the sight of several hundred members of the Free Souls Motorcycle Club roaring in from the Eugene area on Saturday morning. If you do have to miss the Souls’ grand entrance on the coast but are in the mood to check out some hogs and other bikes, then put the annual Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride on Sunday on your agenda. The ride takes place across the world and the Eugene version is hosted by the local Caballeros Riders Club to raise funds and awareness for men’s mental health and prostate cancer research. The ride features folks of all genders dressed in dapper clothing on vintage and classic motorcycles. The DGR After-Party is open to all at Viking Brewing and will feature Darline Jackson’s My Band “performing a couple of sets of sweet soul music starting at 1 pm.” Viking Brewing will be donating a portion from each pint sold to the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride. 

Florence Rhododendron Festival opens Thursday, May 15, and runs through May 18, featuring flowers, a Thursday coronation, a Sunday parade, a carnival all four days and, of course, the motorcycles. Find out more at FlorenceChamber.com. The free Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride After-Party is Sunday, May 18, at Viking Brewing, 520 Commercial Street, Unit F.