Bikes, Blues and BBQ organizers have eyes on the road ahead | The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

BENTONVILLE –Tommy Sisemore was pleased with this year’s Bikes, Blues and BBQ, but he’ll continue to seek ways to produce a better experience for everyone involved in the event in future years.

Sisemore, the executive director of the rally, said attendance appeared to be up, and a lot of the downtown businesses were incredibly busy. He said attendees and business owners seemed to have a great time.

“I am very proud of the team that came out and operationalized the event,” Sisemore said. “It is a huge commitment for a small group to set up, execute and tear down an event of this size in six days.”

PUTTING THE FUN IN FUNDRAISING

Sisemore said it’s going to take 30 days or so to get the estimated attendance since the free event affects Benton, Carroll and Washington counties. He said it will take about the same amount of time to determine how much money was raised.

According to an event impact study conducted by Destination Rogers, a division of the Rogers-Lowell Chamber, the 2023 rally generated more than $15 million to the Northwest Arkansas region in direct spending, supported more than 4,500 jobs and hosted 64,000 overnight stays in local hotels .

Organizers are still settling up with vendors, sponsors and others, Sisemore said. Any fundraising estimates will also have to wait until the final bills are received for services such as electricians, portable toilets, trash bins, equipment and rental houses.

“We don’t have numbers or full wrap-ups yet, but our observation is this was the biggest and best rally we have seen in Rogers yet, with no major issues to report at this time,” said JR Shaw, executive director of VisitRogers. “We will huddle soon with stakeholders and look for ways to improve in the future.”

Sisemore said donations were made during the rally to a group that supports military families and troop readiness initiatives and Fayetteville High School’s wrestling program. He said two veterans had their lifetime Veterans of Foreign Wars memberships paid for as well.

“After we pay all the expenses of the event, we will open a grant application for nonprofits to apply for the funds to be distributed,” Sisemore said. “The rally is geared to support women, children and the underserved of Northwest Arkansas, but any 501(c)3 organization can apply for funds.”

Mike Pyle, with Sons of the American Legion, was smoking ribs Sept. 21 at Rogers American Legion Post 100 to sell to bikers as a fundraiser.

“Three days ago, I didn’t know Bikes, Blues and BBQ was going on,” Pyle said. “I sure know it now. I haven’t heard any numbers, but it seems like a good turnout. It’s a great fundraiser for our American Legion post.”

Michelle Brewster, assistant scout master for Rogers Troop 122, said scouts were selling pulled pork lunches Sept. 21 at Heritage Indian Motorcycle in Rogers as a fundraiser.

“We’re raising money for camping, but they also learn leadership skills and serving the community,” Brewster said. “You know how sometimes teenagers don’t like to talk to people? Well this improves their communication skills.”

MIXED RESPONSES

While some attendees expressed positive experiences at this year’s event, others reminisced about when the event was held in Fayetteville and questioned whether attendance is declined since the move to Rogers in 2022.

Samuel Connor, a biker from Elkins, said he enjoyed his time at the rally.

“This is all about riding motorcycles, man,” Connor said. “That’s what it’s all about. Highway 12 out of Rogers, that’s a good one to ride.”

Keith Tate, a biker from Bossier City, La., said this was his 10th year to attend the rally. He liked the rally more when it was on Dickson Street in Fayetteville, but he does enjoy time spent in Eureka Springs under the current format.

“That’s where we’re staying,” Tate said. “Everybody is so peaceful. All the bikers get along so well, and there’s never any trouble.”

Debra Brown, a biker from Okmulgee, Okla., attended the rally for the first time this year.

“From what we’ve seen, so far I like it,” Brown said. “Arkansas puts on a lot of good things.”

Shawn McDermott of Rogers said he’s been coming to the rally since 2012, but believe it may be getting smaller each year. McDermott said he’s seeing a decrease in the number of motorcycles and vendors.

McDermott believes the rally needs to be more “bike friendly.” He said two of his friends did not come back this year because police issued several noise violation citations last year.

Chuy Estrada of Hope said it was his first time to come to the rally, and he enjoyed walking around and talking to people.

Chris Nelson of Jonesboro said he preferred when the event was held in Fayetteville. It’s more stretched out now, and there was more parking in Fayetteville, he said.

Nelson, however, enjoys the rides and the area’s restaurants and said he plans on continuing to come to the event even if it remains in Rogers.

ECONOMIC IMPACTS

Clinton White, the owner of White’s Jewelry Store in downtown Rogers, was sitting outside Sept. 20 watching the numerous motorcycles. White is also the owner of Flytimer Continental Cigar Lounge in Rogers, which he said will be open for next year’s rally.

The rally doesn’t result in any increased business at his jewelry store, but White said he believes it will have a positive impact on the cigar lounge when it opens.

“It’s fun to watch all the bikes ride by,” White said. “There’s nothing to complain about when you have cigars, bikes and good music.”

Binh Hoang, manager and owner of House 1830, said they probably get less business at the restaurant during the rally. All the same, Hoang said he loves seeing the activity and the people walking around. He said he met a lot of wonderful people during the event.

“It’s not great for us, but it’s great for the city,” Hoang said.

SAFE TRAVELS

Don Lisi, a spokesman for the Rogers Police Department, said there were two arrests related to the rally. Police also made several traffic stops for reckless driving, and a few of which resulted in traffic citations, he added.

However, there were no significant traffic issues or crashes, Lisi said.

There were no noise ordinance issues this year as far as he knows, Lisi added.

Sisemore, the rally’s executive director, said he’s not aware of any issues involving law enforcement or the Fire Department. He said he was only aware of a few minor heat-related medical calls.

THE ROAD AHEAD

Organizers are always looking for ways to improve the event, Sisemore said. Changes made from 2022 to 2024 were noticeable this year, and attendees responded with favorable feedback, he added.

From an operational standpoint, Railyard Park was not as popular as Sisemore hoped it would be, so that will factor into organizers’ thinking as they look ahead to next year’s event.

“We are already working on ways to fix these things next year.”