NATCHEZ &8212;Hogs will overrun the city of Natchez June 22.

But rather than the sound squeals and grunts, citizens of Natchez should expect to here the roaring motorcycle engines.

More than 1,000 Harley Davidson riders from 22 states around the United States will meet in Natchez on Thursday at the Natchez Convention Center to celebrate the Mississippi State Harley Owners Group, or H.O.G., rally, Big River Thunder.

The rally gives H.O.G. members the chance to meet fellow enthusiasts and participate in various chapter activities, games and events.

Coordinator Michael Sumrall said that H.O.G. members start to arrive on Thursday and continue throughout the weekend.

&8220;I think this is a great event for bike enthusiasts and for the community of Natchez,&8221; Sumrall said. &8220;You can&8217;t go to a gas station, see a Harley and not hear someone&8217;s story about how they or someone in their family had a Harley at one time.&8221;

Director of tourism Walter Tipton said that the rally is an economic benefit to Natchez.

&8220;Typically, a visitor of Natchez will spend $140 a day and this event is lasting three and a half,&8221; Tipton said. &8220;And with over 1,000 bikers coming to Natchez, spending this new money, I&8217;m safely predicting over $700,000 will be made in Natchez.&8221;

There will be a concert featuring Avery Michaels and Exit 309 Thursday night at the gazebo.

On Friday, H.O.G. members will participate in a series of different events such as the &8220;Bug Run,&8221; in which bikers will have a target on the front of their bikes and the biker with the most bugs on his or her target wins.

Sumrall said at this year&8217;s rally, the H.O.G. members would also participate in a GPS run, a type of scavenger hunt where bikers will receive longitude and latitude coordinates and ride out a designated spot in the Miss Lou to look for clues and items.

Sumrall said the public is invited to attend Friday night&8217;s Main Street Bike Party at the gazebo.

Saturday&8217;s main event is the blessing of the bikes at 4 p.m. performed by the Christian Motorcyclists Association

The public is also invited to attend a bike show on Saturday where H.O.G. members and Harley enthusiasts will park their bikes of different styles and ages down Main Street for the public to view.