Bikes, Babes & Bling permit could go before council
If Matthew Petty has his way, the fate of Bikes, Babes & Bling could soon end up in the hands of the Fayetteville City Council.
The Ward 2 Alderman has left comments here at the Fayetteville Flyer saying that he believes the Advertising and Promotion Commission is out of control and out of touch with Fayetteville’s character for supporting the rally, which it gave $20,000 to in November.
Petty then indicated in the comments of another story that he and some other aldermen were considering action to prevent the new bike rally from happening at all. That action likely will come on Tuesday as Petty is expected to make a proposal at the council’s agenda session that would require aldermen to vote on the approval of the special events permit for the female-targeted rally.
Petty was unsure of what form the proposal might take at this point.
“(City Attorney) Kit (Williams) has been sick, so I don’t know exactly what this is going to look like,” Petty said. “It could be a resolution to deny the permit, or it could be the permit itself. If the latter, a Council member will have to make a motion to approve or deny the permit, the same as we do for appeals.”
Bikes, Babes & Bling was originally scheduled for July 15-17 in Fayetteville, but a permit filed on Dec. 28 with the city seeks approval for a July 1-3 event.
“Another motorcycle rally puts a strain on most businesses and residents,” Petty said. “We shouldn’t be giving up our holiday for a motorcycle rally. If this goes through, you can kiss having your family over on the July 4th weekend goodbye.”
The special events permit application has been on the desk of Mayor Lioneld Jordan, who is awaiting a recommendation from his staff before signing it.
“We do about 300 permits a year, and they have never gone to the council for approval,” Jordan said.
He is, however, aware of the alderman’s intentions.
“Alderman Petty has for several weeks indicated an interest in bringing an ordinance or resolution requiring council approval. I suggested that he do so soon, or I would go ahead and sign the permit if recommended by staff.”
Tuesday’s agenda session could be Petty’s final opportunity to act.
“Unless the resolution is presented and passed at the council meeting on the 20th, we will proceed as usual,” Jordan told us Friday evening. “The organizers need an answer in a timely manner.”
In addition to questioning the timing of Bikes, Babes & Bling, Petty has questioned the economic benefit that the rally will have for the area.
“The financial benefit to the books at City Hall are highly questionable,” Petty said in a comment here in January.
But Brian Crowne, owner of George’s Majestic Lounge, and one of the business owners on Dickson Street that is in favor of the new rally, disagrees.
“Anyone in local government that doesn’t support events with promoters that have a sterling history of producing safe and profitable festivals is derelict of duty in this current economic environment,” he said. “Don’t we have a $2,000,000 short fall in our city budget already?”
Crowne, who recently partnered with Bikes, Blues & BBQ organizers with his other venue, The Arkansas Music Pavilion, is also concerned with the precedent a council vote might set for future events.
He says Fayetteville will not be viewed as a festival-friendly city if this rally’s permit is rejected. “It will only run festival promoters away if a proven approval process is complicated even further,” said Crowne.
As to what Fayetteville residents think about the prospect of a new bike rally, and for what it’s worth, Skip Descant noted in today’s Northwest Arkansas Times that the Bikes Babes and Bling Facebook page currently has about fifty times the amount of support than that of the Fayetteville Residents Against Bikes Babes and Bling group.
Comments
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Brandon Kittler
January 9, 2010
I don’t like the idea of a 2nd rally at all, but I have a feeling that it’s going to go forward. I really wish they’d do this on a different weekend at least.
I understand the financial reasons, but it just seems like too much to have another event that is more or less the same thing.
Hopefully this will be incentive for someone to put together a funding request for a festival that showcases something other than loud motorcycles and carnival food, to bring in some diversity.
FK
January 9, 2010
@Brandon:
Then do it. It would be great to have other kinds of events/festivals/etc. to attend. Not that you are being one, but it gets old hearing a bunch of people whine and cry about wanting different kinds of events but not willing to put in the work, blood, sweat and tears it takes to put something together. They always want “someone” to do it, but aren’t ready to step up themselves. And, no, it’s not the City’s job to do these things for you.
For all those who want some other kind of festivals/events, I will tell you, you will be surprised at the support you will get from local businesses. So put together the kind of event YOU want to see, and let’s make something happen!
Johnathan
January 10, 2010
I would like to say that I am a fan of Bikes, Blues, and BBQ. I do not own a motorcycle, and yet there is a lot of stuff at the even each year for me to enjoy. I’m interested to see the new B^3 event this summer.
I hope more local supporters of these events will speak up so that Mr. Petty knows just how much of the population he’s speaking for.
It seems that (like George’s) most retailers, bars, hotels, etc. in the area would enjoy the extra sales that events like these bring.
Brandon Kittler
January 10, 2010
If I ever come up with a good idea for a festival and have the time and monetary resources to make it happen, I will.
Boggy Creek Creature
January 10, 2010
If the festival is going to happen Fourth of July weekend (and it is), then drop the sexist title.
And bling. Nothing should say bling.
As for the future, if you want an arts/film/craft/food festival, get off your ass and make it happen.
There’s a time and a place to apply for that money. You had just as much chance as them.
It hasn’t worked in the past, but that doesn’t mean it won’t.
Or that it shouldn’t.
Johnathan
January 10, 2010
I do agree that it’s pretty rude to step on a major holiday. It would be much better for them to push it back to the 17th.
And yeah, “bling” sucks.
FK
January 10, 2010
I’m just curious why there is an objection to B^3 being on July 4th weekend…Since we don’t do a big fireworks show anymore (now at the Naturals stadium in Springdale) there’s nothing in Fayetteville to draw numbers of people here on that weekend. Everyone goes somewhere else. Last year it seemed really dead.
Zapp Brannigan
January 10, 2010
I’m proud that Fayetteville has a fighter like Mr. Petty, and I respect a lot of his decisions. I don’t think Fayetteville needs ANOTHER motorcycle rally, and the rally has a terrible, godawful name, and bikes are loud, etc…
But there seems to be a lot of support for it, and it’s counter-intuitive to think that there would not be a financial benefit for the city. Feel free to prove me wrong on that point, Mr. Petty.
Chris
January 10, 2010
I am impressed that Mr. Petty had the courage to suggest that another motorcycle rally might not be in our community’s best interest. Should we allow any event to occur so long as we perceive it to bring $$ to town? I wonder what the long-term effects will be once Fayetteville becomes the biker capital of the region. Who stands to benefit? I think it might be shortsighted to assume our community will benefit, based solely on the fact that it will bring people to town.
B^3
January 10, 2010
After reading many comments, both for and against, on other sites such as Facebook, I would, again, say to all who wish to have some other kind of festival/rally/event…make it happen! Get out there and identify the kind of festival/rally/event YOU want…and make it happen! Local business and city finances don’t care if it is arts, film, bicycles, toy trains, gospel sings, coaches clinics or motorcycles.
Personally, I love motorcycles, and have since I was a kid. But that’s me. If you love film, make a film festival. If you love the arts, create an art festival. If you love gourmet food, create a food festival! Do whatever, but DO IT! or let those who are trying to make something happen keep working, and get out of their way.
Facebook fans of Bikes, Babes and Bling–590
Facebook members of Fayetteville Residents Against Bikes Babes and Bling–135 (and some of them aren’t even Fayetteville citizens)
Mr. Petty does this give you an idea of where the support is for this event?
Fedup
January 10, 2010
Hardly any of the facebook fans FOR this hideous event are residents of Fayetteville. One biker rally is enuff, or even one too much.
Guffaw
January 10, 2010
Personally, I am really pumped about the creamed-corn, bikini wrestling ring they are going to set up for the Babes at Dickson & West Streets.
B^3
January 10, 2010
@ Guffaw:
That’s the spirit! No matter what, we need to keep a sense of humor!
mischki
January 10, 2010
Fayetteville had a film festival. What was the turn out like for that?
ryan
January 10, 2010
Agree with dropping the sexist title.
ryan
January 10, 2010
And regarding the concept of a second of, I’m against it but if there’s enough interest it should certainly not be banned. I say this as someone who goes to BBQ just about every year. I enjoy it and think it’s become part of the culture of the town.
But having another rally is a bit too much, like they’re trying to push the success of the thing too much. People will get burned out, local and outside attendees included.
Johnathan
January 10, 2010
On that same note, who says Bikes, Blues, and BBQ is just for men? It seems pretty unisex to me.
Offcamber
January 10, 2010
Have a smug disdain for anything gauche? Outlaw it.
A few years ago the Fayetteville City Council went way beyond its jurisdiction and forced dubious ordinances upon Thunder Valley Speedway, which wasn’t even within the Fayetteville city limits. If Petty and company can’t crush Bx3, which looms right within its carefully groomed, WAC-sanctioned pay Entertainment District, they’ve gone soft.
I have full confidence the City can impose overbearing legislation upon any financially productive and well-subscribed enterprise that causes temporary aesthetic discomfort among a minority.
Brandon Kittler
January 11, 2010
It just seems like they could work on making BBBBQ better and more attractive to a larger audience. If they are doing this one too, then clearly they have ideas.
I suppose someone has crunched the numbers and decided this would generate more money overall.
It feels like maybe this is diluting their brand, and folks from any real distance might not bother to show up to the secondary event.
It also seems like (again, IMHO) it might be a bit condescending to women. Maybe it’s just the name. It sounds ridiculous. What sort of “bling” are they showcasing?
I guess we’ll find out.
Innarested Observer
January 11, 2010
How many FB fans an event has is hardly a scientific method for determining community support. But the folks backing this event has managed to convince the lazy media that 350,000 visitors attend every year, so objective analysis generally just isn’t part of the equation.
Heather Kendrick-Gerlaugh
January 11, 2010
I just weighed in on the old entry but realized I probably should’ve posted some of that here: http://www.fayettevilleflyer.com/2009/11/17/bikes-babes-bling-coming-to-fayetteville-in-july-2010/comment-page-3/#comment-18030
Planning an event in Fayetteville is hard work, I know from experience. I’ve also found that no matter how many apologies and thank you’s or suck-up cupcakes you bake (nothing wrong with being shameless) there are always going to be roadblocks. In my opinion, our focus really should never be denying permits for any new festivals, but encouraging citizens to join together and make the change ourselves that we want to see in our city. An issue that desperately needs attention is simplifying the process of attaining event permits in the first place, so that Fayetteville citizens can organize and say “we’re going to do something, and its going to be awesome” and actually do it. Its hard enough to accomplish everything on a city level without any additional restrictions.
I’m anxious to see how this whole Bikes Babes & Bling debate goes. I will definitely be at the council meeting.
Now about that Arts Festival… who’s with me?
heather.gerlaugh@gmail.com
Drew Laserdeath
January 11, 2010
I live a block away from Walton Arts Center, so during BBBBQ I can’t park anywhere near my house. All day I hear motorcycle engines and skynyrd covers until long after dark. Traffic is beyond ridiculous. I don’t have much of a choice but to leave town.
Although I personally don’t see the attraction to a bunch of dirty bikers and overpriced concession stand food, I tolerate it because it’s only once a year and plenty of other people seem to enjoy it.
But another one? Seriously? WTF.
Petty, please tell me you can actually stop this thing from happening. It would make my year.
Perplexed
January 11, 2010
Do we really want our July 4th weekend over-run by a biker rally? This is insane.
This should be a time for easy-going family get-together’s and grilling outside. The noise pollution alone from a biker rally will spoil the whole weekend. How can our city government even consider allowing this?
mpetty
January 11, 2010
I’ve explained my reasons for bringing this to the Council here:
http://matthewpetty.org/articles/2010/01/why-the-council-should-have-the-final-say-on-a-second-motorcycle-rally
Also, on the number of Facebook members a particular group has. That’s hardly scientific, and given that the majority of comments on the FOR page are from out-of-towners pledging to come, I’d say any conclusion about public opinion drawn from Facebook numbers should be taken with a grain of salt.
Concerned Citizen
January 11, 2010
Mr. Petty’s comments on his web blog show a disconcerting approach to government: that of the “there’s nothing saying “X” shouldn’t occur, therefore we should step into this breach and legislate where no legislation has operated previously.” Simply because there’s nothing that says that the Mayor *doesn’t* need Council approval does not dictate that such approval should be required. The idea that there is some ethereal threshold at which the Council need not get involved in the permit process smacks of a group of people who have precious little substantive work to perform and instead have decided to create assignments for themselves. As is Fayetteville government’s practice, I’ve no doubt determining that threshold will be a simple, easy-to-understand process with clearly-delineated boundaries and a minimum of paperwork.
There’s no doubt that some local businesses may complain about B^3, but citing to Nightbird (which, by the way, moved in AFTER the original festival existed for several years) is a classic case of “coming to the nuisance.” While I appreciate that Nightbird is a “funky” [sic] business, I’m not sure that same label doesn’t apply to the 20 other businesses on Dickson that benefit greatly from the festival. Perhaps Mr. Petty could go ahead and provide the threshold for when one business in town is funky and another is not? A powerpoint presentation would be illustrative; current examples ranging from “gauche” to “kick ass” would be appreciated as well.
I’m going to beg the City Council and the Mayor to actually do something about drawing any kind of business or economic advantage to this town. With a major budget shortfall, I’d think that perhaps drawing in any kind of business that would help local businesses and thus avoid closing up some “funky” places would be good for the City. I know this may take away from your discussions of bike trails down the utter abortion you’ve helped make Mt. Comfort Rd., but a good government can accomplish multiple tasks at once and I have full faith you all can pull it off.
Then again, if there were permits required for “rocking house shows,” [sic] I’m sure you’d be all against that, wouldn’t you Mr. Petty? Or, perhaps, a permit approval for charging for parking on one’s property during gamedays? Ward 2 is certainly starting to gain the reputation that it enjoys the benefits that come from living near Dickson, but just doesn’t want to have to deal with that whole “entertainment” thing.
Mullva
January 11, 2010
@ Concerned… Don’t tell the folks in Ward 2 about the troubles that come with our neighborhood’s location unless you live in Ward 2! Most of what happens downtown is tolerated without a word. It is the events that push the limit of decency that get the most reaction from the residents. Ask yourself one question, if the Bikes, Blues, and Bull Shi** was in your Ward, would you complain about the amount of noise, traffic and all the other trouble that runs from WEDNESDAY to Sunday? Most of the folks who live in Ward 2 have the right to voice their concern that every event can just happen and the it doesn’t really matter to the residents who live down there.
Us resident’s who live down near Dickson understand that niose is part of the location. But here is a limit on which events that don’t cross anybodys radar,(such as Saturday Razorback games, or Springfest) and then there is the rest of the BullSh** that we all need to be saved from!
Mullva
January 11, 2010
@Matt – Thanks for the dilligence on this issue!
Wonder if we can do a swap…………Fayetteville keeps the Walton Arts Center and Bentonville can have the Hogs, Hefers,and Shiny things!
Newcomer
January 11, 2010
I guess I don’t understand why any city would invite a bunch of bikers to their town in the first place? Of course it’s noisy, of course there are drunks pissing in flowerbeds and passed out all over the place, including your Arts Center.
What do you expect?
roger
January 11, 2010
thanks for doing and saying what most fayetteville residents are thinking Matt! there isn’t a biker community in fayetteville, so why 2 bike rallies for out of towners? this is ridiculous.
Michael
January 11, 2010
Sounds like another Thunder Valley all over again…
You live in the entertainment district, that means accepting EVERYTHING that goes with it. Not just the things you like and personally enjoy.
As for the WAC not being happy with the turnout for their beer garden this last year, what did they expect when they were wanting $20 just to use their porta potties.
Tim Freeman
January 11, 2010
Heather, your posts were VERY well stated! I would love to see some other festivals (particularly an arts festival) that the A&P could fund. Eureka Springs does an arts festival every year through the entire month of May, and so why can’t we? I hope that people will join you, and you have my full support as a vote on the A&P Commission, if you want money for advertising it!
I like to see a positive attitude like that to embody the spirit of BRINGING NEW THINGS TO TOWN! This is a much better mindset for our city than the one that is focused on turning people away or denying festival permits based on personal objections.
Tim Freeman,
A&P Commission Chair
yrfuneralmytrial
January 11, 2010
An event like this will likely make money for a majority of the businesses on Dickson as well as the city. That’s the crux…biker events make money because hordes of people are partying and spending money. So, we turn a blind eye to noise, DWI, public drunkeness and death because it makes a ton of money. And, the city needs money. Well, let’s go whole hog with the idea and turn Dickson into a full on Bourbon Street. Live loud music in the street, open containers allowed, block the street off every weekend and basically ramp up the party. Why not? It’ll make a ton of money. No guns, no sex in the street, no violence. Otherwise, live it up. If we’re not willing to go the extra mile to make more money as often as possible, then there’s every reason to call bullsh*t on this event. It’s a horribly named, lazily concieved event aimed at the lowest common denominator. And if BBBBQ, with a claimed 400,000 person attendance can only donate $45k to charity, I can’t see this event being the great city savior.
Morgan
January 11, 2010
Does anyone have actual crime figures for the days of the BBBQ event? I would be highly curious to see just how many DWIs and public intoxication arrests are made over the course of the event, the same for the number of deaths. Then compare those figures to the same number of days at some other time of the year. If I recall correctly from conversations I think the arrest figures are less than those that occur over the weekend of a typical Hog’s game.
yrfuneralmytrial
January 12, 2010
How many arrests? A ridiculously low…some might say “unbelievable” amount. I can assure you that a massive blind eye is turned to DWI. The police know on the front end to “live and let live” unless it’s an extreme situation staring them right in the face. They can’t effectively police “400,000″ people. Which brings me back to my proposal of 1000% party time on Dickson. Unless something horrible is happening, ignore it. We’ll all make a lot more money. I’m serious.
DaveT
January 12, 2010
Yep. I’ve intentionally acted waaaaay messed up and been belligerent with police to see if anything would happen. Nada. No way should they have let me try to go to my car, ESP after I specifically said that’s what I was going to do.
In the middle of this I even accidentally faceplanted after tripping on a cable and they didn’t give a fook
Facts
January 12, 2010
There’s been a death or two every year – from a stabbing at the Allman Brothers concert, to numerous accidents on local highways.
Mark_Landry
January 12, 2010
Can someone tell me who’s ass the 350,000-400,000 numbers came out of? Because I’ve seen the town when a home game sells out, that’s 72,000 hog fans. Traffic on foot and roads is jammed up in all directions. They BBBBQers are five times as big?! Doubt it. They probably count everyone ten times, which is easy to do when all the bikers just keep cruising in circles and hoping that one of the Princess Parking spots on Dickson will magically open for them.
Tim Freeman
January 12, 2010
FYI–the crowd estimate is actually around 100,000 based on the amount of trash produced. That is just over a full football game, which actually brings in around 76,000 now (however one must assume that many of those are probably locals).
Innarested Observer
January 12, 2010
Tim, could you encourage the lazy reporters (not Bowden, he actually dug up this data) to start using this figure and the event people to give up the ghost as well?
Total Bastard
January 12, 2010
Tim, who cares if they’re not tourists? Oh, you do, because they’re not staying in your hotel.
Deidre
January 18, 2010
Wow, I’m really surprised at how many people would be against bringing money into Fayetteville to help our struggling local businesses. Not only would this event help the community, it would also help local charities, since this is a non-profit organization. What’s so wrong with helping women and children in need? I would hope your answer is “nothing.”
I never hear anyone complain about any other fundraiser or charity event, but oh my gosh! If there are motorcycles in the equation then the event must be stopped! Seriously? It’s 3 day event; you’ll survive.
It’s during the summer, sadly a lot of college students will return home, but that part would free up some traffic issues, so calm down.
Besides, I’ve driven around town during Bikes Blues & BBQ, and though traffic may become congested in certain areas, I don’t mind waiting longer at lights or taking back roads that might be a little out of the way since I know the event is for a good cause. And if I feel traffic is too bad, well then guess what? I stay home. GENIUS!
If an event could bring money in AND benefit people in need, why wouldn’t we want to have it?
Fayetteville is a fun, spirited college town. If you don’t agree with the event, suck it up, plug your ears and don’t go to Dickson. Problem solved.
David Franks
January 18, 2010
Deidre–
You’re using straw men. Nobody here has objected to charity, and nobody has suggested that BB&BBQ be abolished– quite the opposite, in fact. As for helping local businesses, you seem to be unaware that a lot of businesses are hurt by BB&BBQ.
It’s the motorcycles, the trash and the yard-pissing that people find objectionable. One might hope that the targeted biker chick demographic will be less likely to piss in people’s yards. There’s always hope.
Bikes, Blues & BBQ raised how much for charity this past year– forty or fifty cents per attendee? In 2008, as I recall, there was nothing for charity.
Tell you what: next time I’m in town, I’ll beat that forty or fifty cents, with nary a motorcycle.
Deidre
January 19, 2010
Well, to be honest, I just thought about these facts today.
It seems BB&BBQ helps some businesses and hurts others.
Sometimes it raises money for charity. Sometimes it doesn’t.
Some people like the event, some people don’t.
I don’t think the pros outweigh the cons, or vice versa.
I am curious to see how this event will turn out, and I’m also curious if with Fayetteville having two biker events, if it will now be known for ‘the place with biker rallies’ over anything. I’m not sure if I’m a fan of that.
Itsthenoise
January 19, 2010
Since the conflict-of-interest A&P commission and apparently city officials in general don’t care about the residents who are negatively affected by BBBQ – and its lots more than just 4 days, quit distorting that fact – I propose a bumper sticker/poster/ad campaign expressing our fed-uppedness with bike festivals. Let them know they’re NOT welcome by lots of people. Another problem is how many lawyers, judges and other midlife crisis types like to act out their dopplegangers at events like these surrounded by their subordinates in the police dept.
your lying eyes
January 19, 2010
Oh, now the BBBQ proponents want to deflate the attendance numbers. Over-inflate them when it suits your purposes, lie about them in the other direction when you need to. Whatever’s best for your personal bank account and to h*ll with anyone else.
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