Despite relocating to Rogers, bikes, blues & BBQ still business as usual for many

Little Rock, Arkansas — After more than two decades housed in Fayetteville, in January, the Bikes, Blues & BBQ motorcycle rally announced that it would be relocating to Rogers. After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic and after logistical issues posed problems for hosting this year in Fayetteville, the rally, scheduled for Oct. 5-8, was relocated.

But, while it may not be centrally located in the city that had hosted it for more than two decades, it will still be business as usual for many in the region when the motorcycles roll into Northwest Arkansas this fall.

“What I’ve said many times is, yeah, maybe the name on the letterhead changed from Fayetteville to Rogers. But that doesn’t mean that Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers, Bentonville — the whole Northwest Arkansas area — won’t still be involved,” said Raymond Burns, CEO of the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce. “I look at it as a change on the letterhead.”

According to Burns, while the rally originated in Fayetteville, over the years, it spread to become a regional event, and the city of Rogers has had a “long relationship” with the rally.

The city hosts the Frisco Inferno barbecue contest, a rally staple for years, and other festivities.

After the two years break due to the pandemic, Bikes Blues & BBQ faced challenges in hosting again in Fayetteville.