FORT SMITH (KFSM)- Organizers are calling the inaugural Steel Horse Motorcycle Rally in Fort Smith a resounding success and the rally's director is already planning ahead to 2016's event.
Dennis Snow said the rally exceeded expectations and estimates as many as 10,000 motorcycles and 25,000 people were at the event between May 1 and 3.
“Put it to you this way, we didn’t lose any money so that’s always a good thing on a first year,” Snow said.
Local businesses benefited as well.
“It was good, we did two weeks of business in a couple of days,” Travis Tucker, with Rooster’s Blues Bar, said.
Snow said the rally went off without a hitch, but someone stole a banner that was hanging almost 10 feet above Garrison Avenue on Sunday morning.
“I really can’t believe somebody jumped up that high," Snow said. "We will get the footage from the bank and see who it was.” Snow said.
The banner cost about $50 dollars, Snow says he won’t press charges if whoever took it brings it back.
Other than that, Snow said this rally paved the way for future rallies.
“The spirit of the Steel Horse Rally was so awesome,” Snow said. “I heard that word more than anything all weekend. It’s awesome it was in the spirit of helping others.”
Snow said he hopes the rally raised at least $50,000, which will be donated to four local charities.