Bikes, Blues & BBQ postponed after university decision

By: Ben Sawyers

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Bikes, Blues & BBQ will be postponed after the University of Arkansas decided to terminate their parking agreement with event organizers.

The Thursday evening decision comes on the heels of a surge of the Delta COVID-19 variant in Northwest Arkansas and outcries from multiple public health officials in the area.

Washington Regional Medical Center addressed a letter to the City of Fayetteville saying with hospital resources already stretched thin due to COVID-19, allowing the festival to continue would only “invite further disaster.”

The same concerns were echoed by Dr. Marti Sharkey, Fayetteville’s city health officer, in a letter from the city’s Board of Health to the university and festival officials.

The event is postponed, not canceled, according to Tommy Sisemore, the executive director of Bikes, Blues & BBQ, and updates will be posted to the event’s social media channels.