During the four days of the Bikes, Blues and Barbecue Rally, everyone in Fayetteville, Arkansas, falls asleep to the roar of motorcycles (thousands of them), and they wake up to the same tune. It’s fantastic, hearing tens of thousands of bike engines rumbling around town — like a big growling dragon.

Some of the more crotchety residents gripe about the noise and the crowds, but how can you complain about the most fantastic event of the year? It generates major income for the city, it raises big bucks for charity, and the fun factor is off the charts. If you aren’t into it, just put in some earplugs and stay home for a few days.

This is the largest charity rally in the country, and it ranks closely with Sturgis and Daytona as far as rallies in general go. It’s more family-friendly than a lot of other bike events, and everyone notes the minimal police presence. It’s rowdy in a laid-back, peaceful way.

This year, The Blues Train shuttled crowds from the main drag to the Stadium, where hundreds of vendors peddled their goods, fed the masses and provided live entertainment. Whoever grew the Beer Gardens has a very green, foamy thumb, and thousands of people gathered there throughout the weekend. Some folks headed out to the Rodeo Grounds in Springdale for motocross racing, stunt riding and the Steel Rodeo; some cruised over to Eureka Springs, one of the most biker-friendly towns in the US.

At the Fairgrounds, New York’s Circus Una wowed the crowd with their aerial Motorcycle Thrill Show. Throughout Northwest Arkansas, there were parades, competitions, exhibitions, demonstrations, shopping, barbecue, poker runs, dining, drinking and riding (not necessarily in that order). All four days featured live music from places near and far, including Seattle band Candlebox, as well as local favorites like Oreo Blue, The Staggering Odds and The FOS Project. The area around the Main Stage is crammed with bikers and friends enjoying the music and dancing throughout the night. There was even a wedding on the Main Stage, where the groom promised to “ride his bride more than his bike.” You just can’t beat that for romance.

Next year’s Bikes, Blues and BBQ Rally will be held September 26th through the 29th. You may want to make your hotel reservations now. It gets kind of crowded around here.