FAYETTEVILLE — Visitors and local residents attending Fayetteville's 10th annual Bike Blues & BBQ rally said they enjoy the fun, friendly atmosphere and appreciate the lack of problems and troublemakers.
Several people at the rally they enjoy looking at all the different types of motorcycles, watching people, eating barbecue and listening to music. Some said they are glad bikers can ride up and down Dickson Street because some places don't allow this.
The weather was perfect Saturday with clear skies and mild temperatures. The parking spots for motorcycles along Dickson Street were full by noon and the sidewalks were packed soon thereafter. Local law enforcement officials said they've had only a few minor problems.
Brad and Jackie Smith of Okmulgee, Okla., came to last year's rally in a car, but they bought a motorcycle for this year's rally "to fit in" and because "it just looked like a lot of fun."
They said they were impressed with last year's rally because, even though the crowds were large, they found the rally peaceful with few problems compared to what they've seen in other cities.
"Some are way too wild," said Brad Smith. "I'm too old for wild and crazy."
Charles and Kay Abbott of Belton, Texas, said they have been to rallies in Austin, Texas, where it is expensive to get in and rowdy once you do.
"By and far, this is 10 times better," Charles Abbott said. "We haven't seen any fights or nudity. That's all you see (in Austin)."
"We'll be back," Kay Abbott said.
Sound of money
Brad Smith said they've already spent about $500 during their stay, much of it on T-shirts, and they still have more souvenirs to buy.
Steve Clark, Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce president and a board member for Bikes, Blues & BBQ, said he lived in Austin for 10 years and he knows the problems with the rally there.
"You can't bring your family (there)," he said.
Clark points to a young couple pushing a child in a stroller, saying he's glad the Fayetteville event is family-friendly because this brings out more people and is better for the communityand its businesses.
"You hear that? That's the sound of money," Clark said as the loud noise of motorcycles rumbled in the background.
Fun, friendly people
David and Louise Harp brought their children - Benjamin, 5, and Mattie, 7 - to the rally for a barbecue rib lunch at the concession area in the Walton Arts Center parking lot. They said they enjoy the family-friendly atmosphere.
"I wouldn't come if I didn't have the kids," Louise Harps said.
Andy Ball of Moore, Okla., and Debbie Thomas of Tulsa said they were enjoying their visit to Fayetteville and the "real friendly people" they have meet.
"It's nice - a well-organized event," Ball said.
Joe Phillips of Conway said he's attended four years and it seems the event is "getting bigger every year and better."
He said the rally has more police than some of the others he's been to but he doesn't mind because the police seem "tolerant and patient."
"We're loving it. It's fun," he said. "It's a lot better then the other rallies. I think it's going to be a success for a while."
Chamber volunteer and former Fayetteville Mayor Fred Vorsanger said this year's crowd may be the biggest ever. "It's a big crowd - maybe the biggest yet," Vorsanger said.
Farmers' Market slower Saturday
The rally impacted the turnout at Fayetteville's Farmers' Market on the downtown Square on Saturday, but that's to be expected because it happens every year, vendors and customers said.
Sales were down because many regular local customers stay home to avoid traffic during the rally and motorcycle riders don't come to town to buy produce or flowers, said Mark Priest of Coyote Farms near West Fork.
Many Finklea of Sargent Farms in Prairie Grove agreed that business was down Saturday.
"It's been real slow," she said.
Despite the slow business Saturday, Priest said business at the Farmers' Market this year has been good because of a good growing season, good customer support and a strong core of experienced farmers.
News, Pages 1, 6 on 09/27/2009