Bikes, Blues & BBQ is back in the black
Bikes, Blues & BBQ announced today that they had retired their debt incurred from the 2008 rally, according to a press release we received this morning.
“Due to the great response we have had from sponsors, vendors and the community this year, we have been able to retire our debt from 2008,” said Kenneth Mourton, Chairman of Bikes, Blues & BBQ.
“If this year’s rally is as well attended as previous years, we expect that we will be able to fully fund this year’s rally expenses and renew our giving to local charities,” added Mr. Mourton.
Bikes, Blues & BBQ suspended their charitable giving last year after finishing the rally nearly $175,000 in debt. Executive Director of the rally, Nelson Driver, said that a down economy, as well as increased expenses last year contributed to the debt.
Driver said that dramatically cutting those expenses, as well as support from rally sponsors, vendors, and the community are what has led to the retiring the debt.
Bikes, Blues & BBQ’s 10th Anniversary Rally is just three weeks way. It begins on September 23rd.
Comments
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Innarested Observer
September 2, 2009
1) A link to the release for fact-checking would be nice. I don’t trust these people at all. 2) Your continued pushing of pro-event “news” related to this event makes me question your objectivity. I take it you are a fan of the BBBS?
Todd
September 2, 2009
@Innarested Observer – Dustin is out of the office this afternoon but I’ll gladly respond to your comment.
1) I’m not sure how viewing the raw press release that Bikes, Blues & BBQ officials sent us will help you trust them any more. Nevertheless, here’s the link you requested.
2) Do we publish more BBBQ press releases than the other local media outlets? Also, do you really not trust us?
Personally, I kind of like the event. But I still have yet to ride my motorcycle down there during it. Not sure why. Maybe it’s because mine is a really small bike. I prefer to walk around. Also, I’d look hilarious in chaps.
Innarested Observer
September 2, 2009
Todd, love the Flyer generally, love the work. Don’t love the event, nor the way it has continued to bamboozle people over the years. You are right about the press release — it is a joke with its complete lack of facts or real information, not to mention that the word “debit” appears where it would seem “debt” was meant. I *do* trust the Flyer way more than some other purported “media” in the area. Especially the one that parrots the totally bogus claim that 400,000 guests visit the event. The method of counting attendance is completely nonscientific: basically if you drive past a certain checkpoint you are counted… even if you drive past 10 times, or once a day.
I’ve addressed the shenanigans of this thing many times. Anyone can see the IRS 990 forms that are required of these types of entities and see some of the iffy places the money has gone. Of course, the group extends deadlines beyond a year after the preceding event. And its new advertising group is obviously going to do anything to make the event look good, since they just laid off everyone over there but the ad group founders. So they’ve got a serious financial stake in spreading the b….er…. putting a bowtie on a p…. er … putting the best face forward on BB&BS.
Obviously a lot of people like it. Good for them. I just ain’t one of them. Personally, I am hoping for torrential rains the whole week. Since they donate to some bogus groups or in the case of last year, none at all, there would be no loss this year.
Mullva
September 3, 2009
This is Bikes, Blues, & Bull at its best !!
Let’s rob peter to pay paul from last year. Oh yeah we forgot to donate to charity from last year…..but don’t put that in the press release!
As a neighborhood group, BB&BS is FINALLY going to have to bend to the residents they trample over all week. We have finally got ahold of someone that can hold them by the gonads. Doug Pope at the police department is in charge of the permit that is required for the event. Instead of getting the rubber stamp teatment as usaul, they have to have a representative present at our West Dickson St. Neighborhood Association meeting to address property owners concerns before they get the go-ahead this year.
I’ll keep everyone posted.
yrfuneralmytrial
September 3, 2009
“before they get the go-ahead this year”
-I’ll go ahead and say the purchase of earplugs won’t be a wasted effort.
Brandon Kittler
September 3, 2009
I’ve managed to make it out of town most of the years I’ve lived in the middle of it all. There is usually some conveniently-timed festival going on. This year it sounds like it might be a nice time to go camping.
I try not to knock on it too much though, I’m sure all the restaurants and hotels love it. I don’t really mind all the traffic or the general noise, its just the people with excessively loud motorcycles that get on my nerves… with the SONIC DEATH BLAST (!) as they fly through.
It could be worse, though. Its good they have to meet with the neighborhood association this year, and hopefully thats not just blown off and really gets them to address concerns.
I wish it were held on the fringe of town somewhere, so they’d be free to do whatever without being as obnoxious. I suppose that will never happen, though.
Ozarkbahner
September 3, 2009
Not all riders are leathery Paul Teutul wannabes who drive slow in corners and wear overpriced black screen-printed t-shirts.
Want an alternative to BBBQ? The annual Brits in the Ozarks car and bike show is coming up on Saturday, September 12, at Agri Park. They usually have a handful of classic Triumphs and similar join the car crowd.
http://www.britishironnwa.org/show09.html
(Disclaimer: I’m not affiliated with them, nor do I manage their accounting or even own a British car or motorcycle. I have enjoyed past events, though.)
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