Optimism prevails at Bikes, Blues & BBQ , where each year, the organizers expect attendance at the motorcycle rally to exceed the previous totals.
This year is no different.
“We think they’re going up,” says Joe Giles, executive director for the rally. “When the economy went down, we didn’t.”
The data that leads Giles to expect a bigger event is complex, but involves hotel bookings, Facebook impressions and the further expansion of events.
“We put on a real good show.
We think, this year, attendance will grow significantly,” he says.
Topping the 350,000-400,000 participant mark - the number generally bandied about - seems a daunting task. However, several new events are meant to draw even more to Northwest Arkansas for the rally, which will celebrate its 12th year Wednesday through Sept. 29.
Among this year’s new events is the first official BB&BBQ car show. Although a previous show - called Bikes, Blues & Hot Rods Too - operated at the Northwest Arkansas Mall during rally days, it was produced by an outside promoter and was not officially part of the rally.
But enough people asked the Bikes, Blues & BBQ staff about the absence of the car show, so one was organized.
Coleson Burns, assistant event director, said motorcycle riders are typically gearheads, too, so anything with a motor or ashiny paint job is of interest to the BB&BBQ crowd. Although he admits it’s hard to guess how successful the first-year event will be, Burns estimates between 200 and 400 cars may be on display. The show will take place at the Northwest Arkansas Mall.
Also joining the rally will be the remnants of the Bikes, Babes and Bling event, which formerly took place in July. Elements from the female-centric rally, such as a fashion show, will now take place Saturday at the festival’s main stage area in the parking lot atDickson Street and West Avenue. Also, an area dedicated to ladies will be established in the vendor community set up around Baum Stadium and the Tyson Track Center in south Fayetteville.
Because of the immense size of the rally, multiple venues are used. Dickson Street will house the rally headquarters and the mainstage. The Washington County Fairgrounds will host pig races, live music at the Arkansas Music Pavilion and the Arkansas State Championship Barbeque Contest, which takes place on Saturday and also offers a Friday night taste testing. Also at the fairgrounds will be the newlydubbed BB&BBQ Saloon, a place for live music and a karaoke contest.
Parsons Stadium in Springdale is home to an arenacross race on Sept. 28-29 and also a stunt rider exhibition. Both debuted last year and were popular enough to bring back. Meanwhile, vendors will flood the Baum Stadium and Dickson Street areas, as will thousands of motorcycles.
Other event highlights include the Parade of Power, which traverses Fayetteville beginning at 3:30 p.m. Sept. 29, the glut of local music acts, both on official stages and in local clubs, and a pair of fundraising poker runs.
Whats Up, Pages 16 on 09/21/2012