Steel Horse Rally returns to downtown Fort Smith in early May

The 2022 Steel Horse Rally is set for May 6-7 in downtown Fort Smith and organizers hope it will be as successful as the record-setting 2021 rally which had more than 135,000 visitors and an estimated local economic impact of $19.6 million, according to the organizers.

Each year, the Steel Horse Rally Inc., a non-profit charity dedicated to honoring those who serve and helping local charities and the community, selects local charities who will benefit from the rally. This year’s recipients will be Antioch for Youth and Family, the Fort Smith Boys Shelter and the Children’s Service League.

The Cops and Cones Motorcycle Exhibition will return to this year’s Steel Horse Rally as one of the many events featured throughout the weekend. The family-friendly event will be at 10 a.m., May 7 in the middle of the 1100 block of Garrison Avenue. It will feature motorcycle units from several cities, who will ride their motorcycles through a challenge course, the news release said.

“The first Cops and Cones in 2021 was a crowd favorite and we are excited to see it’s return,” said Orval Smith, vice-president of the Steel Horse Rally. “Working in conjunction with the Fort Smith Police Department, we’ve invited even more law enforcement motorcycle units to attend this year’s event. This is a great opportunity for the public to interact with law enforcement motorcycle officers in a positive environment.”

Fort Smith Police Department Motorcycle Supervisor Lt. Steven Creek said after the success of last year’s Cops and Cones, the FSPS department is “excited to continue to strengthen our bond with the Steel Horse Rally plus, showcase our riding abilities while getting to know our community better.”

The entertainment headquarters of the 2022 Steel Horse Rally will once again be in the 600 block of Garrison Avenue, across from First National Bank of Fort Smith. This year’s event will showcase live music by Dallas-based rock band Messer and the Steel Horse All-Star Band, which features “some of the best local and regional talent,” the news release noted.

For the second year, those 21 and older who make a minimum charitable donation of $5 for a Steel Horse Rally Charity Cup will be able to walk with an alcoholic beverage throughout the Steel Horse Rally site and Fort Smith Entertainment District in downtown Fort Smith. The 2022 Steel Horse Rally Charity Cup will be available at participating merchants.

“One hundred percent of the donations raised by these cups will go to the three local charities selected to benefit from the 2022 Steel Horse Rally,” the news release said.

Tri-State Speedway in Pocola will host the 2022 Steel Horse Shootout that features extreme flat track racing on May 6. This officially sanctioned race will feature professional and amateur racers from across the country. This year’s event at Tri-State Speedway will also feature Micro Wrestling plus other entertainment. Proceeds from admission benefit the Steel Horse Rally Inc. charity.

The inaugural Steel Horse Rally was held in 2015. Over the span of five years, the rally has had a total estimated attendance of more than 300,000 visitors, donated more than $100,000 to local charities and has had a total estimated local economic impact of more than $60 million, the news release said. The rally was postponed for a year in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Link here for more information about the 2022 Steel Horse Rally, VIB (Very Important Biker) packages, or how to become a sponsor or vendor.