Bikes, Blues, & BBQ by Alexzandra O'Neal

From Rides to Record Crowds

Bikes, Blues, and BBQ started in 2000 with just around 300 riders. Now, 24 years later, the largest motorcycle rally in America has a record-breaking attendance of an estimated 400,000. The last 20 years are a testament to the $3 million raised for local charities and the camaraderie that draws the local population and visitors from across the nation.

Source: Bikes, Blues, & BBQ official website

Contents:

Part I: The Festival Roots
Part II: A Yearly Tradition
Part III: Future of BB&B
Social Media & Website

BIKES.

BLUES.

Source: Bikes, Blues, & BBQ Official Website

Starting in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and now in Rogers since 2022, Bikes, Blues, & BBQ has been a focal point of Northwest Arkansas and its importance to the community.
Fayetteville's former Police Chief Richard Watson was the driving force behind the festival. He envisioned the rally as a way to boost the local economy and showcase the beauty of Northwest Arkansas.

The experience never disappoints.

More Than Bikes

At Bikes, Blues, & BBQ it's not just about motorcycles—it's a celebration of all things on wheels. While bikes are the main attraction, the festival draws in other kinds of vehicles. From three-wheeled trikes and sidecars to beautifully restored classic small cars, attendees come to show off their unique rides. The event serves as a gathering for enthusiasts of all kinds of automobiles, where the shared appreciation for customization brings diversity to the festival.

1923 Ford T-Bucket Classical Car

1923 Ford T-Bucket Classical Car

"From the very beginning, the founders realized that although the three festival components — bikes, blues, and barbeque — would be enough to put on a great event, so much more was possible."
-Bikes, Blues, & BBQ Website

The roar of engines echoed through the streets as hundreds of people experienced the thrill. Venders were all along the side for people to check out, and the music was faint in the background. On September 21, my grandpa Mike Nicholas and I were there to enjoy the night.

A Yearly Tradition

Mike Nicholas is a 68-year-old advent enjoyer of the festival. He has made an effort to visit once a year since 2018. Not ever being a rider himself, he lives vicariously through the owners of the bikes.
While he doesn't have a personal connection to motorcycles, he still loves to see the rally. They remind him of his late brother, Danny, who owned a bike since Mike was 10.

"The town comes alive because of Bikes, Blues, & BBQ. When you have an estimated amount of 250,000 people coming to Northwest Arkansas, that brings a lot of excitement here."
-Mike Nicholas

In the late '80s and into the early '90s, Mike raced cars for a living. Sometimes he gets reminded of the rush when he hears engines revving. And he went fast.