NATCHEZ &8212; The Big River Thunder Harley rally was even bigger and louder than expected.

A record number &8212; 1,451 &8212; Harley riders turned out for the Harley Owners Group rally this weekend.

Rally coordinator Michael Sumrall it was the largest rally in Mississippi to date.

&8220;We had members from as far west as Salt Lake City and as far north as Manitoba, Canada,&8221; Sumrall said.

Sumrall said he thought the reaction of Natchezians to the bikers was a positive one.

&8220;I think they learned something about us bikers,&8221; Sumrall said. &8220;We&8217;re not all Hell&8217;s Angels; we&8217;re doctors, lawyers and other professionals. I&8217;m an accountant myself.&8221;

H.O.G. member, Tammy Cunningham, a general contractor from Houston, Texas, said she enjoyed the rally because of Natchez&8217;s small town charm.

&8220;It&8217;s very beautiful here, and the places like the Natchez (Trace) Parkway ride make the trip well worth it and we&8217;d love to come again,&8221; said Cunningham.

Cunningham&8217;s friends, Will and Wanda McKiney from Tulsa, Okla., said they enjoyed coming to rally to see their old friend.

Sumrall said the rally went so well that it was decided at a planning meeting of Mississippi H.O.G. chapter members Saturday morning to have the rally in Natchez next year.

&8220;We want to have the rally some time in the fall, possibly October, when the weather is not so hot,&8221; Sumrall said.

Despite the rally&8217;s success, Sumrall said, there were a few problems that need to be fixed for next year.

&8220;It was really hard finding motel space in Natchez,&8221; Sumrall said. &8220;Every hotel we had listed for the members was booked three months before the rally.&8221;

Other rally participants, such as John and Jane Leblanc, from Larose, La., said the rally needed more vendors to better suit bikers&8217; needs.