Bikes Blues and BBQ expanding to Arvest Ballpark

Bikes, Blues and BBQ will expand to Arvest Ballpark in Springdale Sept. 26 and 27 with events including a car show, vintage bikes show, music and a steak cooking contest, according to a news release from the Springdale Chamber of Commerce.

"We are thrilled to host these popular Bikes Blues and BBQ events in Springdale and at Arvest Ballpark," Springdale Mayor Doug Sprouse said in the news release. "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."

Full news release:

Springdale and Arvest Ballpark will host a major expansion of the popular Bikes Blues and BBQ Motorcycle Rally this fall, it was announced today by city officials. The rally's new Springdale venue will host a car show, vintage bike show, steak cooking contest, live music and more, September 26-27.

BB&BBQUtlizing Arvest Ballpark for the expansion of Bikes Blues and BBQ was made possible by the recent completion of the $23 million Don Tyson Parkway Interchange on Interstate 49. The high attendance expected at the Springdale-located events can now be easily managed with multiple access points to the ballpark located at South 56th Street and Watkins Avenue.

"We are thrilled to host these popular Bikes Blues and BBQ events in Springdale and at Arvest Ballpark," said Springdale Mayor Doug Sprouse. "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."

"The Chamber has worked closely with Joe and the Bikes Blues and BBQ board about expanding the rally to Arvest Ballpark," said Perry Webb, president of the Springdale Chamber who was recently named to the Bikes Blues and BBQ Board. "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."

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 Karoke Contest.

Additional details as they become available on all events scheduled for Arvest Ballpark will be available at the official BBB website and at Springdale's official visitor website.

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