FAYETTEVILLE — Ask anyone why they attend the annual Bikes, Blues & BBQ Parade of Power and they’ll say, “for the bikes.”
John Newsom of Marion said he’s been to more than 10 parades in Fayetteville and each year never ceases to amaze him.
“Today, I saw a bike with a life-sized buffalo head on the handlebars,” he said. “The skin was hanging off the front.”
Newsom sat with friends under a lighted palm tree at the Washington County Fairgrounds on Saturday and watched the bikes line up for this year’s parade.
“I’m more comfortable watching it from here,” he said. “I don’t want to be in line with that many people. I just like seeing all the different bikes and styles.”
Alan Neidhart, who coordinated Saturday’s parade, said it was the biggest yet, drawing an estimated 1,500 motorcycles.
The parade started at the Washington County Fairgrounds, traveled down Gregg Avenue to North College Avenue and ended on Dickson Street.
At A Glance
Jammin’ 4 Jesus
The Jammin’ 4 Jesus event isn’t officially sanctioned by Bikes, Blues & BBQ, but is expected to draw many riders on their way home from the massive motorcycle rally. For details about the service in Rogers, visit www.pigtrailhd.com.
When: 9 a.m. today
Where: Pig Trail Harley-Davidson in Rogers
Cost: Free
Source: Staff Report
“A lot of people like the sounds of the bikes and to watch that many motorcycles in one group,” Neidhart said.
The bikes in this year’s parade didn’t disappoint. Many were painted with flames, some had three wheels and a few had antlers for handlebars. There were pooches dressed in leather riding in dune buggies and there were skeletons riding side-saddle. Most bikers rode with real “babes,” while some rode with dolls.
“I saw one bike made out of two toilet bowls and another that looked like a bathtub,” said Marilyn Mezger of Avoca.
Mezger, who sat with her family on Dickson Street, said she watches the parade each year to see “the awesome bikes.”
She pointed to one that was towing a life-sized stuffed bear on a trailer surrounded by pumpkins.
“You never know what you’ll see,” she said.
Fayetteville’s Lisa Hinrichsen said the Parade of Power is the best place to see a variety of craftsmanship and artwork.
“It’s interesting to see the metal work and the leather work that goes into it,” she said. “It’s such a spectacle. You don’t see your usual class of Fayetteville characters here.”
Michelle and Lewis Gallardo drove from Albuquerque, N.M., to be part of this year’s motorcade.
The couple travels to Bikes, Blues & BBQ every year to see the bikes and reunite with family.
“It’s fun being in a line of that many bikes at one time,” Michelle Gallardo said. “There’s nothing like it.”
Kingston resident Ricky Sattler described the Parade of Power as “the best parade around.”
He attends the rally in Fayetteville every year with friends. This year’s parade, he said, was noticeably larger that last year.
“You see people from all walks of life on Harleys,” he said. “If you ride motorcycles, that’s what you want to see.”