Bikes, Blues and BBQ, an event that began in 2000 with around 300 motorcycle riders, is expanding to include a motorcycle rally at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale that will include a car show, cooking contest and live music.
The event that sprung up in Fayetteville and now has an estimated attendance of 400,000 is set for Sept. 24-27, with Dickson Street and adjacent surroundings in Fayetteville as the center of activities. Other events include the Jack Daniels Charity VIP Ride, the Cherokee Casino VIP Ride and Concert and the Miss BBB contest.
Event and Springdale officials said Monday (July 21) that the “major expansion” of the event to Arvest Ballpark was made possible because of the $23 million Don Tyson Parkway Interchange on Interstate 49. The new road with several access points will allow for the expected high attendance numbers.
“We are thrilled to host these popular Bikes Blues and BBQ events in Springdale and at Arvest Ballpark,” Springdale Mayor Doug Sprouse said in a statement. “The thousands of fans who help make this one of the nation’s top rallies now have another great venue for these showcase events. We look forward to rolling out the red carpet to everyone this September.”
More than 350 vehicles are expected for the 3rd Bikes Blues and BBQ Car Show which will be held in the Arvest Ballpark parking lot. An additional 100 motorcycles produced prior to 1984 will also be showcased onsite at the Ozark Vintage Motorcycle Association Vintage Bike Show. A veteran’s ride is also planned during the two-day Springdale event.
“Springdale and Arvest Ballpark will be a tremendous venue for this expansion of Bikes Blues and BBQ,” said Joe Giles, BBB executive director. “We’ve worked closely with the Mayor, the Chamber and the Springdale A&P Commission in timing this expansion with the opening of the new interchange. Our board believes this will be a home run for the thousands of Bikes Blues and BBQ fans that converge on Northwest Arkansas each fall.”
Perry Webb, president of the Springdale Chamber of Commerce and newest member of the BBB Board of Directors, praised the move.
“Arvest Ballpark is an ideal venue for a major event like this. We’re proud our state-of-the-art venue can help this rally continue to grow,” Webb said in a statement.
The NWA Steak Cooking Championship, a preliminary contest to the World Steak Cooking Championship, will also be held during the two-day event. Attendees will have the opportunity to sample contestants’ product and purchase a steak dinner from their favorite chef after judging.
Springdale will also be home base for activities sponsored by The Ride of the Brotherhood, an organization dedicated to veterans, veterans’ charities and children’s programs, and the Soldier’s Wish Project, an organization that helps meet the needs of wounded or convalescing vets. Arvest Ballpark will also host a Soldier’s Wish Area that will feature live music and some of the region’s best vocalists at the 3rd annual BBB Karaoke Contest.
Link here for the 2014 Bikes, Blues and BBQ event schedule.