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Packed Hotels In NWA Send Bikes, Blues & BBQ Visitors To River Valley

FORT SMITH (KFSM) — With many hotels in Northwest Arkansas packed for the Bikes, Blues & BBQ Motorcycle Rally this weekend, some bikers are staying in...

FORT SMITH (KFSM) -- With many hotels in Northwest Arkansas packed for the Bikes, Blues & BBQ Motorcycle Rally this weekend, some bikers are staying in hotels in the River Valley.

Marco Villalobos, who goes by the nickname “Wolf,” rode in from the Dallas area with his friends.

“We got Dudley, Dumpy, JoJo, Scarecrow and their better halves, and a brother-in-the-making over here -- still coming up with a nickname for him,” he said.

Many hotels in Fort Smith are prepared for Bikes, Blues & BBQ bikers to fill up their rooms.

“[It] brings money to Fort Smith and we are happy to have them," Jill Barrie, director of sales at Hampton Inn, said. "We are happy to be the overflow for them."

Some bikers said they do not mind riding up to Fayetteville since it means more time on their bikes.

“What I like [is] the wind blows through your hair and it is just -- spend some time with your thoughts,” Wolf said. “It is just a beautiful ride. I i’s great to be on the bike.”

Some hotels in the River Valley still have space, but many are expecting a full house this weekend. Barrie said there is an advantage to staying out of town for the event.

"We are far enough away that they can get out of the middle of it all if they want to, but still a close enough drive for them,” Barrie said.

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