Steel Horse Rally adds antique motorcycle show, partners with U.S. Marshals Museum

The Steel Horse Rally is partnering with the U.S. Marshals Museum to add a new event to Fort Smith’s annual motorcycle event – the Bikes and Badges antique motorcycle show.

Now in its ninth year, the Steel Horse Rally is slated for May 3-4 in downtown Fort Smith. Bikes and Badges antique motorcycle show will make its debut from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 4 at the U.S. Marshals Museum, 789 Riverfront Drive. The new event is sponsored by Fort Smith Harley-Davidson, said Steel Horse Rally president and founder Dennis Snow.

That sponsorship means visitors can get into the Marshals Museum free of charge from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 4, Snow said.

“We have worked with the Marshals Museum since well before the opening. Several of the organizers have sat on our board,” Snow said. “Thanks to this sponsorship, there is no reason not to come down and enjoy this world class facility.”

The sponsorship also allows entry into the Bikes and Badges antique motorcycle show to be free. The antique motorcycle show is open to all antique motorcycles that are 25 years old or older. Entry forms are available on the Steel Horse Rally website.

The only award given at the motorcycle show will be the People’s Choice Award, and will be announced after the Thunder through the Valley Motorcycle Parade from the main entertainment stage at the corner of Sixth Street and Garrison Avenue. That trophy will remain on display at the Marshals Museum for years to come, each year updated with the addition of the new winner’s name, Snow said. The motorcycles entered in the show will lead the parade at 3 p.m. May 4.

Ben Johnson, president and CEO of the United States Marshals Museum, said he is excited about the partnership with the Steel Horse Rally and the new event.

“Nothing brings people together from all walks of life like old motorcycles,” Johnson said. “This will be a tremendous partnership that we can’t wait to kick off in 2024.”

The 2023 Steel Horse Rally had an attendance of more than 210,000 with a local economic impact of more than $25 Million, the event’s press release said. Since it began, the rally has had a total estimated economic impact of $126 million, according to the Fort Smith A&P Commission. It has brought an estimated 830,000 visitors to the Fort Smith area.

The Steel Horse Rally continues to help and support local charities. The 2024 Steel Horse Rally official charities are the Fort Smith Boys & Girls Clubs, the Buddy Smith Home for Veterans, and Arc for the River Valley. The Steel Horse Rally Inc. has donated more than $150,000 to local charities over the years, the news release said.

Funds are raised for the charities through the Steel Horse Rally Charity Cups. Because the rally is held in one of Fort Smith’s entertainment districts, those 21 and older can drink their favorite alcoholic beverages while viewing the motorcycles, but only if they are using an approved cup. They will also need an armband. The official 2024 Steel Horse Rally Charity Cup will be available for a minimum donation of $5, and 100% of those funds go to the three charities, Snow said. The cups and armbands will be available from participating businesses downtown.

The 2024 Steel Horse Rally will see the return of Cops and Cones Motorcycle Exhibition at 10 a.m. May 4. This year, the Steel Horse Strongman Showdown will be May 4 at the Glass Pavilion at 100 North B Street. This event features professional and amateur men and women athletes lifting tremendous amounts of weight. This is an officially sanctioned event and athletes can advance to Regional Strongman Competitions with a win at this event.

The rally also will feature live music and entertainment from the Steel Horse Rally Stage. The Steel Horse Handle Bar will be located near the stage along with the Very Important Biker Area in front of the stage. VIB (Very Important Biker) packages will be available soon for a charitable donation on the official Steel Horse Rally web site.

The VIB package includes a new event, the Inaugural Steel Horse Rally VIB Treat & Greet. VIBs also will receive premium seating for the entertainment and Miss Steel Horse Rally Bikini Contest on the Steel Horse Rally Main Stage. VIBs will also be able to reserve the official 2024 Steel Horse Rally T-shirt and a 2024 commemorative bag filled with goodies.

The rally also will include more than 75 vendors offering food and goodies from “all over the world,” Snow said.

“It’s much more than a motorcycle rally. It’s a guaranteed great time for the entire family,” Snow said.