Where Y'at?
Each official venue for the rally will have sponsors and vendors covering all your motorcycle needs. Apparel and souvenirs for "Fayetteville Bike Rally" and "Dickson Street Rally" will be all over Dickson Street, but the official Bikes, Blues & BBQ merchandise can be found at the Walton Arts Center lot, the House lot, at Baum Stadium, at Arvest Ballpark, at the Washington County Fairgrounds and at several booths on Dickson Street, including the Collier Drug Store parking lot.
FAQ
Bikes, Blues & BBQ
WHEN — Wednesday-Sept. 24
WHERE — Dickson Street in Fayetteville; various locations around Northwest Arkansas
COST — Free to ride/watch; merchandise & food for purchase
INFO — bikesbluesandbbq.org
Dickson Street -- The entertainment district of Fayetteville will also be "ground zero" for the rally.
Walton Arts Center lot: Here you'll find sponsors, a food court, the beer garden & the Harley Davidson booth.
House lot: (Chipotle/Arsaga's parking lot) More merchandise and food vendors.
Motorcycle Village --
Baum Lot: Your place for gear -- motorcycle manufacturers, aftermarket parts and accessories, bike maintenance and care products, ride apparel, installations, demo rides and booths for Harley Davidson and Heritage Indian Motorcycles.
Washington County Fairgrounds --
Official BB&BBQ Campground: More food and merchandise vendors will be at the official rally campground along with the KCBS State BBQ Contest, Blues Alley Saloon, Lawnmower Pulls, karaoke contest and the start of Parade of Power.
Arvest Ballpark --
Monster Experience Venue: The ballpark in Springdale is where attractions and special events will be happening. The car show and vintage bike show will take place here along with military appreciation day on Wednesday, law enforcement appreciation on Thursday, a BMX stunt show, motocross shows, meet and greets with a NHRA drag racer and UFC fighter and more. Schedules vary so visit the BB&BBQ website for more information.
Hear The Music
BB&BBQ will have two featured stages full of free live music during the rally -- one at the Dickson Street Beer Garden in the Walton Arts Center parking lot and one at the Washington County Fairgrounds, where many will be camping. Some of the best local and regional blues acts will take to the stage Wednesday through Saturday with some rock and country mixed in. Favorite venues on Dickson Street like George's Majestic Lounge, Kingfish Bar and JJ's Grill will also be full of good music once the sun goes down. Check out the live music calendar in What's Up to see where you can catch more live music.
Main Stage
Dickson Street Beer Garden
Wednesday
5:30-7 p.m. -- The Boss Tweeds
7:30-9 p.m. -- Arkansauce
9:30-11 p.m. -- Leah and the MoJo Doctors
Thursday
4-5 p.m. -- Gary Hutchison
5:30-7 p.m. -- The Nace Brothers
7:30-9 p.m. -- Oreo Blue
9:30-11 p.m. -- Joe Giles and the Homewreckers
Sept. 23
3-4 p.m. -- The Ocie Band
4:45-6 p.m. -- The Uncrowned Kings
6:30-8 p.m. -- Earl and Them
8:30-10 p.m. -- Members Only
10:30-midnight -- Jason D. Williams
Sept. 24
3-4 p.m. -- Fayetteville School of Rock
4:30-6 p.m. -- Divas on Fire
6:30-8 p.m. -- Dead Metal Society
8:30-10 p.m. -- Full House
10:30-midnight -- Barrett Baber
Blues Alley Saloon Stage
Washington County Fairgrounds
Wednesday
5:30-8:30 -- The Buddy Shute Band
9:00-12:00 -- Trick Bag
Thursday
5:30-8:30 p.m. -- Blew Reed and the Flatheads
9:00-midnight -- Down Town Live Wires
Sept. 23
6-9 p.m. -- Art Bentley
10 p.m.-1 a.m. -- Knock Kneed Sally
Sept. 24
5-8:30 p.m. -- 412 West
9 p.m.-1 a.m. -- Connie Hawkins and the Blueswreckers
Eat It All
The Fayetteville rally may be one of the largest motorcycle rallies in the country, but some people come to town just for the food. All your favorite fair food staples -- corn dogs, funnel cakes (we recommend the strawberry) and deep-fried Twinkies -- are sure to return to the food courts at each venue (Walton Arts Center lot, Baum Stadium, fairgrounds, Arvest Ballpark). But if you came for the barbecue, head over to the Washington County Fairgrounds on Friday night to cast your vote for best barbecue from the cooks of the Kansas City BBQ Society.
Sept. 23
Whataburger Jalapeno Eating Contest -- 4:15 p.m., Dickson Street Beer Garden.
People's Choice BBQ Tasting -- 6:30 p.m., Washington County Fairgrounds campground. $8-$10.
Sept. 24
Hog Country Breakfast -- 7:30-10:30 a.m., Lifesource on School Ave. $4-$8.
Progressive/Habitat for Humanity Breakfast -- 8-10:30 a.m., Dickson Street Beer Garden. Free.
K.C. BBQ Society Championship Cook off -- noon-4 p.m., Washington County Fairgrounds.
Ogle The Bikes
Whether you're in town to ride or just to watch, it'll be impossible to miss the spectacle of hundreds of thousands of motorcycles all over Northwest Arkansas during the week. The best places to people- and bike-watch, though, will be in the middle of all the action: Dickson Street. You'll be able to see plenty from any of the open-air bars (if you can get a window seat) or by perching on the edge of one of the low walls that line parts of the street, but undoubtedly, the best views will be from above. The rooftop patios of the Dickson Street Pub and 21st Amendment, or the balconies of Bordinos or Hog Haus Brewing Co. are likely to be packed all week, but if you can find a spot, you'll have the best view in town.
Sept. 24
Bike Show/Battle of the Bikes -- 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Dickson Street Beer Garden.
Vintage Motorcycle Show -- 8-11 a.m. registration; 9 a.m.-3 p.m. show, Arvest Ball Park in Springdale.
Parade of Power -- 4 p.m., Washington County Fairgrounds to Dickson Street.
Find The Facts
The official Bikes, Blues & BBQ website is your main source for information with helpful maps and tips for getting the most from the rally. Other resources once you get to Northwest Arkansas will include the Fayetteville Visitors Bureau and the Eureka Springs Visitor Welcome Center (if you're heading north of Fayetteville). Headquarters tents, providing maps and information about the area, will be set up at the corner of West Avenue and Dickson Street -- run by the FVB -- and at the Baum Stadium venue.
Visit bikesbluesandbbq.org or experiencefayetteville.com for more information.
Visit nwadg.com for coverage of the rally.
-- Jocelyn Murphy
NAN What's Up on 09/16/2016