200,000 said to be roaring to Fayetteville
Robert Bell, Contributing Writer
Issue date: 9/30/05 Section: News
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Driver said the most important aspect of the event is that it is a major fundraiser for charity. According to the Web site, bikesbluesandbbq.org, Bikes Blues and BBQ, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that donates proceeds from the rally to charity. In the past, some of those charities have included the Council on Aging
and the Red Cross.
The event is also a boon to regional businesses. The Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism estimated that the festival's economic impact on the area last year was an earnings of $40 million, Driver said.
"Hotels are booked up from Ft. Smith to the Missouri line," he said. "We want those local cash registers ringing."
UA students had mixed reactions to the event. Some didn't know about the festival.
"To tell you the truth, I haven't heard about it," said Bill Bond, a freshman biological engineering major.
"I find it loud, crowded and obnoxious," said junior history major Kris McNeely.
But Misty Mitchell, sophomore business management major, said she loves it.
"My parents ride in the parade," she said. "It's a blast and I hope they have it every year."
The event is also a boon to regional businesses. The Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism estimated that the festival's economic impact on the area last year was an earnings of $40 million, Driver said.
"Hotels are booked up from Ft. Smith to the Missouri line," he said. "We want those local cash registers ringing."
UA students had mixed reactions to the event. Some didn't know about the festival.
"To tell you the truth, I haven't heard about it," said Bill Bond, a freshman biological engineering major.
"I find it loud, crowded and obnoxious," said junior history major Kris McNeely.
But Misty Mitchell, sophomore business management major, said she loves it.
"My parents ride in the parade," she said. "It's a blast and I hope they have it every year."
