This time tomorrow, Fayetteville will be rumbling.
Of course, we’re talking about the annual Bikes, Blues & BBQ Rally, which kicks off Wednesday, Sept. 24 and runs through Saturday, Sept. 27 this year.
As always, the event includes music on several stages around town, including the main stage on Dickson Street, as well as satellite stages at the Washington County Fairgrounds and at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale. Musical highlights this year include a performance by the legendary local band, The Cate Brothers at 9:45 p.m. Friday, followed by an all-star guitar jam featuring virtuosos Steve Pryor, Jimmy Nace, Gary Hutchison, and Earl Cate.
Saturday night on the main stage features a performance by Kansas City blues artist Samantha Fish, and an encore performance by Fayetteville ex-pat Andy Frasco, who blew away visitors to the rally last year with his on-stage antics.
Other staples of the rally include the annual battle of the bikes, which kicks off with registration at 7 a.m. on Saturday, followed several classes of competition from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The annual Parade of Power, featuring thousands of motorcycles from all over the country, makes its way from the Washington County Fairgrounds to Dickson Street at 4 p.m. on Saturday.
Food-wise, the People’s Choice BBQ competition, featuring some of the best BBQ cooks in the nation, is set for 6 p.m. on Friday night at the Washington County Fairgrounds. “Judges,” i.e. the general public, can get a plate of the competitors’ creations for $6.
New this year is an event called the Northwest Arkansas Steak Cooking Championships, which will feature competitions in appetizer and steak preparation, a steak eating contest, and more on Saturday beginning around 3 p.m. Observers can get a steak dinner for $15 in advance and $20 the day of the event.
There are poker runs, demo rides, stunt riding exhibits, pig races, lawnmower pulls, a car show, vintage bike show, air show, helicopter rides and a million other things scheduled during the four-day event.
A full schedule of music and some event highlights are below. For the full scoop, visit bikesbluesandbbq.org.
2014 Bikes Blues & BBQ live music and events schedule
Wednesday, Sept. 24
2:30 p.m. – Brody Buster at Dickson Street Main Stage
4 p.m. – Voxanna at Dickson Street Main Stage
6 p.m. – Jr. Markham at Dickson Street Main Stage
8 p.m. – Big ‘Uns at Dickson Street Main Stage
8 p.m. The Jeff Horton Band at The Saloon at Washington County Fairgrounds
10 p.m. – Echo18 at Dickson Street Main Stage
Thursday, Sept. 25
2 p.m. – NighTTrain at Dickson Street Main Stage
3:30 p.m. – Got It Covered at Dickson Street Main Stage
5:30 p.m. –Steve Brack at Dickson Street Main Stage
7:30 p.m. – Mountain Sprout at Dickson Street Main Stage
8 p.m. – Left of Center at The Saloon at Washington County Fairgrounds
9:30 p.m. – Chubby Carrier at Dickson Street Main Stage
Friday, Sept. 26
10 a.m. – I Do Declare (Battle of the Blues Bands) at Dickson Street Main Stage
10:35 a.m. – Blew Reed and the Flatheads (Battle of the Blues Bands) at Dickson Street Main Stage
11:10 a.m. – The Blind Trust Blues Project (Battle of the Blues Bands) at Dickson Street Main Stage
11:45 a.m. – Buddy Shute and the Motivators (Battle of the Blues Bands) at Dickson Street Main Stage
12:20 p.m. – The Ocie Fisher Band (Battle of the Blues Bands) at Dickson Street Main Stage
1 p.m. – Divas on Fire (Battle of the Blues Bands) at Dickson Street Main Stage
1:30 p.m. – Bikes Blues & BBQ Battle of the Bands winner announced at Dickson Street Main Stage
2:30 p.m. – Steve Pryor at Dickson Street Main Stage
4:30 p.m. – Joe Giles and the Homewreckers at Dickson Street Main Stage
6 p.m. – People’s Choice Barbecue Competition at the Washington County Fairgrounds
6:15 p.m. – Nace Brothers at Dickson Street Main Stage
7 p.m. – Lawnmower Pulls at Washington County Fairgrounds Campground
8 p.m. – Oreo Blue at Dickson Street Main Stage
8 p.m. – The Sweethearts Of Branson at The Saloon at Washington County Fairgrounds
9:45 p.m. – Cate Brothers at Dickson Street Main Stage
10 p.m. – Only You: The Platters Tribute Band at The Saloon at Washington County Fairgrounds
11:20 p.m. – Guitar Palooza – Featuring Steve Pryor, Jimmy Nace, Gary Hutchison, and Earl Cate at Dickson Street Main Stage
Saturday, Sept. 27
8 a.m. – Car Show at Arvest Ball Park
8 a.m. – Battle of the Bikes at Dickson street Main Stage
10 a.m. – Fender City Junction at Arvest Ball Park
11 a.m. – Vintage Bike Show at Arvest Ball Park
1 p.m. – Yokahama Drifters at Arvest Ball Park
2 p.m. – Karaoke Contest at The Saloon at Washington County Fairgrounds
3 p.m. – Appetizer Cooking Contest at Arvest Ball Park
3:30 p.m. – Leah and the MoJo Doctors at Dickson Street Main Stage
3:30 p.m. – Parade of Power from the Washington County Fairgrounds to Dickson Street
4 p.m. – The FreedomFest Beerfest II Military Ride (departs from Arvest Ball Park)
4 p.m. – Steak Eating Contest at Arvest Ball Park
4:45 p.m. – Trick Bag at Arvest Ball Park
5 p.m. – Steve Hester and DejaVoodoo at Dickson Street Main Stage
6:30 p.m. – Members Only at Dickson Street Main Stage
7 p.m. – Steak Dinners at Arvest Ball Park
7 p.m. – Lawnmower Pulls at Washington County Fairgrounds Campground
8 p.m. – Highway 13 at The Saloon at Washington County Fairgrounds
8:05 p.m. – Miss BBB Contest at Dickson Street Main Stage
8:30 p.m. – Samantha Fish at Dickson Street Main Stage
10 p.m. – Southbound Train at The Saloon at Washington County Fairgrounds
10:30 p.m. – Andy Frasco at Dickson Street Main Stage
Beer Garden and Venue Schedules
Dickson Street
Wednesday – 3 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Thursday – Noon – 11:30 p.m.
Friday – 10 a.m. – Midnight
Saturday – 8 a.m. – 12:30 a.m.
Baum Motorcycle Village
Wednesday – Noon-7:30 p.m.
Thursday – 9 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
Friday – 9 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
Saturday – 9 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
Washington County Fairgrounds Saloon and Campgrounds
Wednesday – 5 p.m.- Midnight
Thursday – 3 p.m.- Midnight
Friday – Noon – Midnight
Saturday – 9 p.m. – Midnight
Arvest Ball Park
Saturday – 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
