University of Arkansas Fayetteville - Razorback Yearbook (Fayetteville, AR)

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A few spectators and a Santa Claus imper¬ sonator stroll down Dickson and watch the lines of bikes roar¬ ing through town. People from all over the country came to Northwest Arkansas for the bikes, barbe¬ cue and live music. PHOTO BY DARREN MC¬ NEILL The metal headlights on row of colorful bikes shine in the sun during the motor¬ cycle rally. A record number of 125,000 bikes were spotted throughout the five- day festival. PHOTO BY MEGAN GARNER 10STUDENT LIFE

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To the nation, the UA was an institution for higher learning, but for its students, the campus meant more. It was tailgating, grabbing coffee at RZ ' s and spending late nights in the Union...it was home. College provided a unique experience for every Razorback; each one gaining more than just an education. UfeTHi’ J Cl. MR •» F Sr v STUDENT LIFE 9

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Get Your Motor RUNNIN’ Head Out on the Highway SEVENTH ANNUAL BIKES, BLUES BBQ FESTIVAL BRINGS 350,000 TO THE OZARKS BY CAROLYN FINNIE The sweet aroma of pulled-pork sandwiches and turkey legs combined with the soft blues and the roar °f the motorcycles on Dickson created a successful and enjoyable 2006 Bikes, Blues BBQ Festival, now labeled the third largest motorcycle rally just behind the famous rallies at Sturgis and Daytona Beach. More than 350,000 motorcycle enthusiasts and 125,000 bikes made their way to the Ozarks for a weekend of mouth-watering barbecue, free live mu- Slc an d a spectacle of classic Harley-Davidsons and customized choppers. In the past few years, the fastest growing rally Fas seen a dramatic attendance increase and has even tripled in size. Sturgis, the most famous motorcycle show and rally, in Sturgis, South Dakota, saw an at¬ tendance of 456,968 at their 66th annual rally in 2006 which was an attendance drop of 70,000 from 2005. The energy, scenery and college-town atmo- s phere of Fayetteville ' s rally was unprecedented this Year. Activities included picturesque rallies all over Northwest Arkansas and countless demonstrations an d showcases of both vintage and custom bikes, the ever-pop u l ar Babes Pageant and rib-eating contests. This year, the barbecue cook-off received the of¬ ficial title of the Arkansas State BBQ Championship which awarded three overall winners and five team Winners in the chicken, pork ribs, pork and brisket Ca tegories. Live music could be heard throughout the week- en d from two stages showcasing 40 national and lo¬ cal bands like Markham Hill, Six Hung Sprung, Oreo Blue and Cate Brothers. While the event received some opposition from local residents and businesses about the negative im¬ pact on business, the nonprofit organization gener¬ ated a lot of revenue locally and proceeds from the events benefitted charities. In 2005, with more than 200,000 in attendance and 75,000 motorcycles, the festival brought in an estimated revenue of $52 million to the state and raised $125,000 for local charities like the Fayetteville Boys and Girls Club, Red Cross, Children ' s House and Meals on Wheels. In the end, the barbecue was marinated, the funnel cakes were deep fried, the leath¬ er vests and chaps were worn once again for the success of the annual event quickly be¬ coming the larg¬ est motor- cy cle ral- iy. photo by gigi holder