Brechin community group chiefs say they are feeling the momentum of efforts to “put the town on the map”.
After an estimated 9,000 visitors turned up at the weekend to watch hundreds of two-wheeled enthusiasts roar into town for the third Harley-Davidson in the City and take in a new street water slide, the group behind the programme said residents are lining up to support the promotional push.
Bikers from across Britain and Europe joined the Harley invasion celebrating the Davidson family, who emigrated from a cottage outside Brechin in the 1850s before two grandsons gave their name to the legendary motorcycle manufacturer.
Bravo (Business, Retailers and Voluntary Organisations) Brechin organise the annual extravaganza and this year spent £5,000 creating a 200m waterslide down closed-off City Road a thrill ride which had visitors queuing up to tackle the course.
Bravo Brechin chairman Bill Sturrock said the numbers for the event continue to rise and praised everyone who contributed to Saturday’s success.
“We had over 500 bikes and around 9,000 visitors and the reports from businesses in the town were that they were doing a roaring trade,” he said.
“This is all part of us trying to develop the community and the opportunities we have with the surroundings, without costing ourselves a fortune.
“The waterslide was new this year and we learned a huge amount on the day. Once it really got going people were absolutely whizzing down it and although they had to queue for quite a while even for that short run they were saying it was worth it, which is exactly what we want to hear.
“It takes a huge amount of work to put these things on and the police and Angus Council are fantastically supportive of us, but the big thing is the great support we are getting from the community.
“We put out a call for marshalls this year and early on Saturday morning had the largest gathering we’ve ever had for any of our events.”