FAYETTEVILLE [KFSM] - City officials closed down a section of the busy downtown road as the area became packed with thousands of bikers Thursday (Sep. 25).
Fayetteville police officers were seen directing traffic at the intersection of Dickson and West Street, which is now a four-way stop. The only vehicles allowed on Dickson are motorcycles through the remainder of the rally. Bikes, Blues and BBQ lasts through Saturday night.
Jonny Terry and Dwayne Huff came from Oklahoma, and said they enjoy just walking around looking at the motorcycles.
"It's amazing, nowhere near us can you do this, just walk down the street and see this many motorcycles," Huff said.
Terry said he has been to the popular Sturgis motorcycle rally in South Dakota, and both of the bikers agreed that the Northwest Arkansas rally has more of a hometown feel.
"Sturgis has a lot more people coming in from outside, and Fayetteville does too, but it's got more of a local feel," Huff said.
Fayetteville native Celia Scott-Silkwood said she has lived on Dickson Street for 25 years, and every year she looks forward to the rally.
"I think it's fabulous, being a bike rider it's so much fun, all these people from all over come to town," Scott-Silkwood said.
The beer garden and live music will last until 11:30 p.m. Thursday. The venue will open again 10 a.m. Friday and close at midnight.