Bikes, Blues and BBQ 2009

It's unmistakable, that rumble that starts low and then you FEEL IT as they pass by. I'm talking about the beautiful bikes that roll into our area every year! This year is the 10th anniversary of Bikes, Blues & BBQ in Fayetteville, Arkansas. It's grown from a small poker run to the largest motorcycle rally in the United States benefiting local charities. Last year over 400,000 people attended the rally from all 50 states and many other countries. Before you say you don't like motorcycles, let me tell you the organization is not only a huge $3 million dollar "shot in the arm" for NW Arkansas, but Bikes, Blues & BBQ has donated over $500,000 to local charities since 2000. Their objectives for this year's rally are to raise over $100,000 and for everyone to enjoy some of the best motorcycle riding, live music and barbeque in the country.

I have to say that we love to ogle the bikes, they are outrageous! But the event offers something for everyone.

Every year Bikes, Blues & BBQ brings great music acts together and the best part is that the music on the main stage and the southern stage is always FREE to the public during the day.Some of this year's great bands include Big'uns, Little Hoojin, Oreo Blue, Steve Pryor, The Nace Brothers, Big Bad Bubba, Full House and of course everyone's favorite Bikes, Blues & BBQ master of ceremonies, Joe Giles and his Home Wrecker Band.Leading the line-up of hot acts will be Blackfoot and Molly Hatchet on Thursday night, followed by The Marshall Tucker Band with special guests Oreo Experience — a tribute to Jimi Hendrix and Steve Pryor on Friday night. Gates open at 5 p.m. and concerts start between 7:30 – 8:00 p.m. Admission to the concerts is only $10.00 per night, with a portion of the proceeds going to BBB and other local charities. For more information and to buy concert tickets, visit http://www.bikesbluesandhotrods.com/.

Jesse James, owner of the West Coast Choppers will be here again and I saw in today's paper he's signing autographs at two local Walmarts!

Some of the best BBQ teams from around the country come here to compete in the KCBS Barbeque Cook-Off and the Arkansas State BBQ Championship. Starting Friday morning the air will be filled with the smoky aroma of barbequed chicken, ribs, pork, and beef brisket as the teams begin to prepare for the competition. Public tasting of this world class BBQ is held Friday evening at the Baum Stadium East parking lot. This is your chance to come and sample the best BBQ around. You can even make your opinion count by voting for your favorite in the People's Choice competition to help crown this year's champion. This entire evening is open to the public and is fun for the whole family. Saturday morning is when the serious judging begins. Official KCBS judges and guest judges will begin tasting and judging selections from each of the four categories and picking the best of the bunch. All this leads to the awards ceremony on Saturday afternoon when the best of the best are named and trophies and cash prizes are awarded.

Southern Living® magazine is going on a tour of BBQ events across the country. Southern Living BBQ on Tour will be stopping at Bikes, Blues & BBQ this year. They will be providing recipe demonstrations and sampling throughout the rally. If you want to improve your BBQ skills and sample some great recipes, this is the place to be. Visit the Southern Living BBQ website for more information.

I have to admit the best thing about the event is "people watching" Not rude to stare at bikers, they spend a lot of money and effort to look like this and they expect...even desire the stares they get. I take my camera and snap away!

Lots of furry friends at this event, pets are welcome and surprisingly all get along...maybe people could learn from this, huh?

Rally with a Purpose: From the very beginning, the founders of Bikes, Blues & BBQ realized that although the three festival components of the rally — bikes, blues and barbeque — would be enough to put on a great event, so much more was possible. They wanted to hold Bikes, Blues & BBQ to a higher standard and give it a greater purpose.With that in mind they designated Bikes, Blues & BBQ as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting local charities with funding raised during the rally.Since the year 2000, Bikes, Blues & BBQ has donated over $500,000 to local charities with over $100,000 donated to 27 charities in 2007.
To learn more about the organizations supported by Bikes, Blues & BBQ, click on the links or contact them at their mailing addresses. Please also keep these worthwhile causes in mind for your own charitable giving.
> Northwest Arkansas Association of the Deaf, Inc.
> Northwest Arkansas Economic Development District, Inc.
> Ozark Military Museum
> Pagnozzi Charities
> Peace At Home Family Shelter
> Rebuilding Together of Northwest Arkansas
> Northwest Arkansas Chapter of the American Red Cross
> Seven Hills Homeless Center
> Single Parent Scholarship Fund
> Walton Arts Center
> Youth Bridge
Fire Fighter's Children Scholarship FundP.O. Box 638Fayetteville, AR 72702
Ralph Baker Memorial Scholarship Foundation10347 HWY 16 ECombs, AR 72721
Sources for Independent Living1918 N. Birch Fayetteville, AR 72703
Taylor-Lackey FoundationPO Box 571Fayetteville, AR 72702
> Arkansas Sheriffs' Youth Ranches
> Camp Sunshine
> Children's House
> Circle of Friends
> Donald W. Reynolds Boys & Girls Club
> Fayetteville Public Schools Athletic Department
> Jackson L. Graves Foundation
> Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
> Life Styles, Inc.
> Northwest Arkansas Free Health Center
Big House Youth Outreach, Inc.405 E. Dickson St.Fayetteville, AR 72701
Elkins Youth Club19282 Tuttle RoadElkins, AR 72727
Fayetteville Band BoostersP.O. Box 9623Fayetteville, AR 72703
Fayetteville Fraternal Order of PolicePO Box 225Fayetteville, AR 72701

Come join us for Bikes, Blues & BBQ Sept. 23rd-26th!