Southern Tradition Real Estate
- Sep 5, 2021
- 3 min read

Bikes, Blues, and BBQ (Postponed)

The 21st annual Bikes, Blues, and BBQ motorcycle rally that was set to descend once again over Northwest Arkansas from Sept. 22-25, has been postponed.

Please visit the BBBBQ Facebook page for all the latest developments!

Bikes, Blues, and BBQ Is Almost Here! (Original title for this blog)

With the 21st annual Bikes, Blues, and BBQ motorcycle rally set to descend once again over Northwest Arkansas - and especially the city of Fayetteville - from Sept. 22-25, some area residents might be thinking “Hooray!” at the thought of a few thousand motorcycles rumbling through the streets, while others are thinking “Nooooo!” or “Meh.”

Regardless of your reaction to the festivities, we can all agree that the money raised for local nonprofits is worth celebrating. The “motorcycle rally with a purpose” has raised over $3 million for local charities and nonprofits in the last 20 years, making it the world’s largest charity motorcycle rally, benefiting women, children, and the under-served members of the Northwest Arkansas community.

Though the much-anticipated event was canceled last year because of the pandemic, that didn’t stop organizers from contributing to important causes. Thanks to the generous contribution from Harley Davidson of a motorcycle, a raffle was held and brought in enough money to help several grant applicants.

For example, the Children’s Safety Center of Washington County was gifted $5,000 from Bikes, Blues, and BBQ in March of this year. The Children’s Safety Center empowers children to overcome abuse and begin to trust, hope, and heal.

Another $7,500 was given to Arkansas Children’s Northwest Hospital by BBBBQ in April. Arkansas Children's Northwest is the region's only children's hospital. In addition to a full range of pediatric medical services, the hospital provides services and amenities to allow the best outcomes for patients and families.

According to its website, the first Bikes, Blues, and BBQ was held in the year 2000 with around 300 riders. Today, it’s estimated that over 400,000 people have attended the rally from all 50 states and several countries around the world.

The idea for BBBBQ came from Richard Watson, then Fayetteville’s Chief of Police, when he bought his first Harley, the website explains. He started attending motorcycle rallies across America and thought Fayetteville would be the perfect place to host an event. The original rally founders Watson, Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce President Steve Ward, and José’s Mexican Restaurant owner Neal Crawford hatched a battle plan. Due to the success of Bike Night at José’s and overwhelming enthusiasm from local bikers and businesses, Ward presented the rally idea to the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, which then approved the annual event.

Another important part of the annual rally has been the Poker Run, where participants pay an entry fee and can pick up playing cards at designated stops and hope to draw a top hand. The winner is the participant that has the best poker hand after drawing a playing card at each stop on the course.

This year, the Main Stage for live music will be at Baum Walker Stadium rather than Dickson Street. Concert goers should head to the east parking lot of Baum-Walker Stadium, located at 1255 S. Razorback Road in Fayetteville. According to BBBBQ's Facebook page, the following entertainers will hit the stage during the event:

Wednesday, Sept. 22