12th Annual Wild Hog Musicfest and Motorcycle Rally

Kimberly J. Williams, travel writer

Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism

“Four wheels move the body. Two wheels move the soul.”  Unknown

Each April, downtown Helena hosts motorcycles, music and massive merriment during the Wild Hog Musicfest and Motorcycle Rally. The three-day event celebrates its 12th year this April 26-29 with a packed schedule of events, activities and performances.

If you’ve never attended Wild Hog, you might think it’s a festival dedicated to motorcyclists. You’d be wrong. The three-day event is jam-packed with fun, food, music and activities that don’t require a powerful two-wheeled mode of transportation. Vendors selling food and merchandise will line historic Cherry Street in downtown Helena, offering festivalgoers a variety of wares to eat, drink, enjoy, wear and display.

The 12th annual Wild Hog Musicfest and Motorcycle Rally officially kicks off on Thursday, April 26, with early bike registration, early bird party and live music at the Wild Hog Saloon, located behind Rio Lindo restaurant. The evening’s music is a performance by the Eskimo Brothers with Tyler Boydstun from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m.

Friday’s events begin at 2 p.m., as bike registration continues at the Wild Hog Saloon. Live music from the Cherry Street Pavilion starts at 4 p.m. with a performance by classic British rock band Down 2 Five, followed by R.T. Scott, 7 Bridges (the Ultimate Eagles Experience), and the Eskimo Brothers. An escorted bike parade through Helena-West Helena, beginning and ending in the historic downtown, commences at 6 p.m. The music at Wild Hog Saloon begins at 8 p.m. and features a performance by broadBAND.

Bike registration opens at 8 a.m. on Saturday, April 28. The festival’s poker run begins at 10 a.m. (last bike in at 2 p.m.). Live music kicks off at the Cherry Street Pavilion at noon with a performance by Down 2 Five. Also at noon, registration for the bike show begins at the corner of Cherry and Elm streets. The rest of the afternoon includes a dyno shootout, bike games, and the festival bike show. The broadBAND takes the stage at 4 p.m. At 5:30, festivalgoers meet the contestants for the ever-popular Ms. Wild Hog contest and winners for the bike show, dyno shootout and bike games are announced. The Don Ray Band performs at 6 p.m., followed by Edgar Winter at 8. Finalists of the Ms. Wild Hog are announced at 9:30. PULSE: The Pink Floyd Experience begins at 10:30. Saturday’s musical entertainment at the Wild Hog Saloon features R.T. Scott from 8 p.m. until midnight.

The conclusion of the festival takes places on Sunday, April 29, with morning church services and blessings of the bikes, beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Whether you arrive on four wheels or two, this year’s Wild Hog offers something for everyone. General admission is $15 for the entire event. Basic registration begins at $30 for one rider and one bike.

To learn more about the 12th annual Wild Hog Musicfest and Motorcycle Rally, log on to the festival’s website at www.WildHogMusic.org.