Replace the middle word in Bikes, Blues & BBQ with "Bible," and it's an entirely different event. But maybe not so different that a crossover of participants won't happen. That's the idea behind the first Bikes, Bibles and BBQ, which takes place this weekend on the Great Passion Play grounds in Eureka Springs.
"Every body likes bikes and barbecue," says Kent Butler, director of marketing for the Passion Play. The Passion Play is an outdoor depiction of the last week of Jesus' life that has been attended by more than 7 million people since opening in 1968.
COURTESY PHOTO
Two bikes rest in front of the Christ of the Ozarks statue in Eureka Springs.
FYI
Bikes Blues & BBQ
Schedule of Events
Highlights from Bikes Blues & BBQ include:
Main Stage
(Parking lot on the southwest corner of Dickson Street and West Avenue)
Today
10 a.m. — I Do Declare
10:35 a.m. — Blew Reed and the Flatheads
11:10 a.m. — The Blind Trust Blues Project
11:45 a.m. — Buddy Shute and the Motivators
12:20 p.m. — The Ocie Fisher Band
1 p.m. — Divas on Fire
2:30 p.m. — Steve Pryor
4:30 p.m. — Joe Giles and the Homewreckers
6:15 p.m. — Nace Brothers
8 p.m. — Oreo Blue
9:45 p.m. — Cate Brothers
11:20 p.m. — Guitar Palooza, with Steve Pryor, Jimmy Nace, Gary Hutchison and Earl Cate
Saturday
3:30 p.m. — Leah and the Mojo Doctors
5 p.m. — Steve Hester and DejaVoodoo
6:30 p.m. — Members Only
8 p.m. — Miss BBB Contest
8:30 p.m. — Samantha Fish
10:30 p.m. — Andy Frasco
Venue Hours
Dickson Street Beer Garden and Main Stage
Today — 10 a.m.-midnight
Saturday — 8 a.m.-12:30 a.m.
Baum Motorcycle Village
Today — 10 a.m.-midnight
Saturday — 9 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
Washington County Fairgrounds Saloon and Campgrounds
Today — Noon-TBA
Saturday — 9 a.m.-TBA
Arvest Ballpark
Saturday — 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Other Attractions
Karoake contest preliminaries, Fairgrounds, 2 p.m. Saturday
Karoake contest finals, Fairgrounds, 4 p.m. Saturday
Car Cruise-In, Arvest Ballpark, Noon-8 p.m. today
Car show, Arvest Ballpark, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday
Steak Cooking Championship, Arvest Ballpark, 3 p.m. Saturday
Parade of Power staging, Fairgrounds, 3:30 p.m. Saturday
Parade of Power, 4 p.m. Saturday
Fayetteville Firefighters’ Poker Run, Fairgrounds, 8:30 a.m. today-Saturday
Lawn mower pulls, Fairgrounds, 7 p.m. today-Saturday
Commemorative Air Force, Fayetteville Executive Airport, through Sunday
People’s Choice barbecue contest, Fairgrounds, 6 p.m., today
FAQ
Bikes, Bibles & BBQ
WHEN — Through Sept. 27
WHERE — Great Passion Play, Eureka Springs
COST — Tickets are required for tours, the play and dinner; prices vary
INFO — 527-9993 or bikesbluesandbbq.org
BONUS — Passion Play tickets are half price for motorcycle riders
And in previous years, it's seen its share of visitors passing by on their way to or from the Bikes, Blues & BBQ rally that's centered in Fayetteville. The 15th annual installment of BB&BBQ continues this weekend at various venues in Northwest Arkansas but with an epicenter on Dickson Street in Fayetteville.
The bar-filled area near the rally's headquarters might seem a contrast to the Christian-themed event in Eureka Springs. But Butler says groups such as the Arkansas-based Christian Motorcycle Association have supported the Passion Play in previous years.
Bikes, Bibles and BBQ formalizes the connection between bikers and the Passion Play grounds, which also includes the 60-plus-foot-tall Christ of the Ozarks statue. After a speaker and buffet last night, Bikes, Bibles and BBQ returns today and Saturday with vendor booths that open at 10 a.m. and guided rides that depart at 11 a.m. Bikers get half price admission to the Great Passion Play, which takes place at 7:30 p.m. both days.
Butlers says he hopes for an increase of 30 or 40 bikes in the new event's first year.
Organizers of the larger rally expect a strong turnout for its officially sanctioned elements. Events such as live music, a steak cook-off and a motorcycle show populate a busy weekend on Dickson Street and at Baum Stadium, Drake Field and Arvest Ballpark.
NAN What's Up on 09/26/2014