The Northwest Arkansas Motor Officers’ Skills Competition and Stunt Show was held on Saturday, April 30, and it was a day full of fun and challenges. Fifteen-hundred happy people descended upon Pig Trail Harley-Davidson in Rogers, Arkansas, which is where the event was held.

Linda Smith, secretary of Ozark Knights, and Don Owen, president, came up with the idea for the competition and show. They describe Ozark Knights as “a group of friends who ride motorcycles and send care packages to our troops in the Middle-East.” Linda and Don contacted Deputy Doug Gay at the Benton County Sherriff’s office with their idea for a law enforcement event, and he was enthusiastic about it. He contacted various law enforcement agencies and got them involved in the project. Buck Blanchard, Marketing Manager at Pig Trail Harley-Davidson gave the event a home and publicized it heavily. “Buck really pulled it all together,” said Linda.

This was the first of what promises to be an annual event, and after having attended, I hope she’s right. Police officers from Oklahoma and Arkansas converged. Some participated for friendly competition, some to hone their skills, and some took the skills test as a requirement for their jobs. Civilians were there for the fun, the stunts, and to show off their beautiful bikes.

There weren’t as many vendors as had been scheduled, due to the flash floods, hail and tornadoes that Mother Nature has recently sent this way. Still, there were quite a few. I have to mention Queenie, who was eager to show me a revolutionary new product called the “Shewee,” which is a pretty, molded pink plastic tube that allows women to pee standing up, without fidgeting with those pesky undergarments. Great for trips to Sturgis or hiking rugged trails. No more tinkling on your shoes. Ladies, you know what I’m talking about. You can Google it if you want to find out more.

There were other great vendors and organizations who’d set up booths to talk about bike safety, such as I found plenty of fascinating bikers to talk to, friendly spectators who had come to check things out, and a whole lot of police officers who’d come to mingle, compete and test their skills. A nice fellow named Kyle Johnson enthusiastically discussed the Rider’s Edge program he teaches at Pig Trail Harley. There was a motorcycle simulator, rides for the kiddies, food, and an airbrush artist who gave willing children temporary tats. The crowd was wowed by the stunt show, and cyclists competed for speed on the Club Challenge course.

Mostly, there were motorcycles. Lots and lots of motorcycles with a lot of happy owners. And I was one happy photographer. They were a sight to behold.

The skies were gray but the rain stayed away, and the first annual Northwest Arkansas Motor Officers’ Skills Competition and Stunt Show can officially be called a success. I’m already looking forward to next year’s event.