(For Immediate Release – March 15, 2025)
The Steel Horse Rally will celebrate its 10th anniversary in downtown Fort Smith on Friday, May 2nd & Saturday, May 3rd, 2025. The charity motorcycle event “honors all who serve” and makes a positive impact on local charities and the River Valley. This free, family-friendly event has grown into one of the largest events in the region, bringing in thousands of visitors to Fort Smith area each year.
This year, the City of Fort Smith and Fort Smith Mayor George McGill recognized the 10th Anniversary of the Steel Horse Rally and its contributions to the City of Fort Smith and its positive impact on the community. Steel Horse Rally staff, volunteers, sponsors and everyone who make the Steel Horse Rally a success were thanked at a very special ceremony at the US. Marshals Museum on Saturday, March 15th.
“We’re very excited to be celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the Steel Horse Rally with everyone on May 2nd & 3rd in downtown Fort Smith,” said Steel Horse Rally President and founder Dennis Snow. “The success and the growth of the Steel Horse Rally would not be possible without so many people: Our volunteers who truly are the fuel of the Steel Horse Rally, and the incredible sponsors that make it possible to offer these annual events free to the public.”
The 2025 Steel Horse Rally will see the return of the Steel Horse Rally Bikes & Badges Vintage Motorcycle Show on Saturday, May 3rd from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the US Marshals Museum, 789 Riverfront Drive in Fort Smith, Ark. The event, sponsored by Fort Smith Harley-Davidson, also allows visitors free admission to the US. Marshals Museum on Saturday, May 3rd from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. The Bikes & Badges event was introduced at the 2024 Steel Horse Rally and the US Marshals Museum had record-setting attendance during the 2024 event.
People can enter their motorcycles that are at least 25 years old in the 2025 Bikes & Badges vintage bike show for free. The Bikes & Badges entry form and more information is available at www.marshalsmuseum.org All participants of the Steel Horse Rally Bikes and Badges motorcycle show are invited to ride their vintage bikes near the front of the Thunder through the Valley Motorcycle Parade that stages at 3 p.m. on Sat., May 3rd at Riverfront Park at 121 Riverfront Drive and begins at 4 p.m. After the parade, the People’s Choice Award Winner will be announced from the Steel Horse Rally Stage at the corner of 6th Street (“Steel Horse Alley”) and Garrison Ave.
The Steel Horse Rally continues to support local charities and the 2025 Steel Horse Rally official charities include Arc for the River Valley, the Children’s Service League, and Heaven’s Babies. When people make a charitable donation for the metallic gold-colored official 2025 Steel Horse Rally Charity Cup, 100 percent of the donation will go to these three charities. The Steel Horse Rally Charity Cups will be available for a minimum charitable donation of $5 each at participating businesses in downtown Fort Smith as well as at the Steel Horse Rally Handle Bar located at 6th St. and Garrison Ave. The SHR Charity Cup and armband will allow those age 21 or older to walk through the entire rally and downtown Entertainment District with an adult beverage in the cup during the charity event.
“The Steel Horse Rally Board of Directors works hard to come up with new, fresh ideas for the Steel Horse Rally,” Snow said. “This year, we’ve added a new organized motorcycle ride going to the top of Mt. Magazine called the Steel Horse Rally Highest Peak Run.”
Riders can support the Steel Horse Rally Inc. charity by riding in the Public Guardians Poker Run on Friday, May 2nd and in the Steel Horse Rally Highest Peak Run, on Saturday, May 3rd. All of the details about rides and events will be on the Steel Horse Rally web page, www.TheSteelHorseRally.com
Motorcycle riders at the 2025 Steel Horse Rally can park their bikes in the middle of Garrison Avenue, one of the widest historic downtown streets in the USA, starting at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, May 2nd, and 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 3rd. Other crowd favorites returning for the 2025 event include the Cops and Cones Motorcycle Exhibition and the Steel Horse Strongman Showdown. The 2025 Cops and Cones, hosted by the Fort Smith Police Department, will be Saturday, May 3rd starting at 10 a.m. at Garrison Ave. & 12th Street. The Steel Horse Strongman Showdown will be Saturday, May 3rd at Riverfront (Glass) Pavilion at 100 North B Street. This officially sanctioned event features professional and amateur men and women athletes lifting tremendous amounts of weight. Top finishers at this event can advance to Regional Strongman Competitions. There will also be 75+ vendors in three vendor areas along Garrison Avenue that will open starting at noon on Friday, May 2nd and reopen at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 3rd.
The 2025 Steel Horse Rally will feature great live music and entertainment on the Steel Horse Rally Stage. The Steel Horse Handle Bar will be located near the stage along with the Very Important Biker Area right in front of the stage. For the ultimate experience, VIB (Very Important Biker) packages are now available for a charitable donation on the official Steel Horse Rally web page at www.TheSteelHorseRally.com VIBs receive a 2025 Steel Horse Rally T-shirt reserved in their size, and enjoy premium seating in the VIB Area in front of the Steel Horse Rally Stage. VIBs will also receive a commemorative VIB badge, lanyard, armband and swag bag.
The 2025 Steel Horse Rally Volunteer Meeting will be Saturday, April 5th at 10 a.m. at the Wyndham Fort Smith at 700 Rogers Ave. in downtown Fort Smith. We welcome new volunteers to be part of Steel Horse Rally Volunteer Team. More information about the volunteer meeting and about the 2025 Steel Horse Rally is available on the newly redesigned Steel Horse Rally web page at www.TheSteelHorseRally.com
The sponsors that support the 2025 Steel Horse Rally make it possible to offer all of these family-friendly events in downtown Fort Smith free of charge. We would like to thank Choctaw Casinos & Resorts, The City of Fort Smith, First National Bank of Fort Smith, Fort Smith Harley-Davidson, Cheap Sleep, Horton Law, Belle Point Beverages, Garrison Goodies, and all of the fine sponsors that continue to support the Steel Horse Rally. Also our Lodging Partners include the Wyndham and Courtyard by Marriott in downtown Fort Smith.
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Please find attached additional information about the Steel Horse Rally. If you would like more information, photos, or if you would like to request an interview, please contact the Steel Horse Rally Inc. at (479) 414-3775 or e-mail [email protected] or visit www.TheSteelHorseRally.com