FAYETTEVILLE -- The Town Center has transformed into a tattoo parlor meets circus side show complete with sword swallowing, fire breathing and aerial artistry during Bikes, Blues & BBQ this weekend.
Tina Archer-Cope is the director of sales for Fayetteville Town Center and organizer of Ink & Art in the Ozarks, Fayetteville's first live tattoo and art expo.
Crime Watch
Wednesday & Thursday
• Accidents: None reported in the venues
• Arrests: Six local residents for public intoxication, one resident for possession of drug paraphernalia, one Missiouri resident for driving while intoxicated.
• Stolen motorcycles: One motorcycle was reported stolen and was recovered by police officers.
Source: Fayetteville Police Department
Saturday Schedule
• 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.: Arkansas BBQ Championship, Washington County Fairgrounds
• 8 a.m.-8 p.m.: Baum Motorcycle Village open
• 8 a.m.-4 p.m.: Car Show, Arvest Ballpark
• 8 a.m.-2 p.m.: Helicopter rides, Arvest Ballpark
• 9 a.m.-9 p.m.: Helicopter rides, Baum Stadium
• 9 a.m.-midnight: Ink & Art in the Ozarks, Town Center
• 9 a.m.: Kids Q, a barbecue competition for kids, fairgrounds
• 9:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m.: A&M Trains Shuttle, Dickson Street to Baum
• Noon: Monster Party Patio, Walton Arts Center
• 1 p.m.: Karaoke contest, fairgrounds
• 2 p.m.: Dr. Nola & The Soul Shakers, Main Stage on Dickson Street
• 3 p.m.: Parade of Power, fairgrounds to Dickson Street
• 4:30 p.m.: Oreo Blue, Main Stage
• 5:30 p.m.: Maud Crawford, fairgrounds
• 6:30 p.m.: Fayetteville Funk Factory, Main Stage
• 8 p.m.: Heath Sanders, fairgrounds
• 8:30 p.m.: The Mixtapes, Main Stage
• 10 p.m.: Miss BBB Finals, fairgrounds
• 10 p.m.: Harley-Davidson Street Glide Raffle Winner announced, Main Stage
• 10:30 p.m.: Odd Key Party, fairgrounds
• 10:30 p.m.: Dead Metal Society, Main Stage
Source: bikesbluesandbbq.com
"The vision is to bring all art forms together," she said. "We want to give the Bikes, Blues patrons that come to town something a little different to look at and experience."
Visitors have a chance to be tattooed by 10 ink masters from around the country who are a part of Colours Couture's Alternative Class Traveling Tattoo Show as well as a dozen artists from around the state.
"These guys travel the whole country, compete with people across the world and are all award-winning dudes," said Ryan Darnell, founder of Colours Couture.
Spartacus Durant from Dallas is part of the group and said they always offer a professional, friendly atmosphere with quality art.
"I've been riding motorcycles forever," Durant said. "It's just like another weekend for me in a way, but when I heard about Bikes, Blues & BBQ, I thought this is the perfect reason to come up here and have some fun."
The artists are tattooing all weekend and still have some open spots, Darnell said.
Jason Fort of Russellville has been tattooing for more than 14 years. He said he's happy to be a part of the charitable motorcycle rally and to show people what Arkansas has to offer.
Many of the people getting tattooed Friday afternoon said they heard about the event through Facebook or on the radio and couldn't pass up the unique experience. The tattoo booths are set up in view of the stage where Arkansas Circus Acts perform throughout the day.
"I've been wanting to get this tattoo done, so I thought this was perfect timing," said Haylee Skye of Bentonville as she was having a watercolor-style piece by Fayetteville artist Lex Ly. "With it being Bikes, Blues, it's just a fun environment."
The event also highlights dozens of local visual and music artists, Archer-Cope said.
Inked magazine is doing a model search at the event, emceed by featured model Monica Zamora.
It's the first year for the event and Archer-Cope said she's pretty sure it's the first time someone has gotten tattooed in the Town Center, but she hopes it will become part of the annual festivities.
Ink & Art in the Ozarks continues from 9 a.m. to midnight today and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday in and outside the Town Center. Tickets are $15 at the gate.
Anyone interested in learning more about specific artists or shows at the expo can visit the Facebook page "Ink & Art In The Ozarks - Powered by Colours Couture."
NW News on 09/29/2018