After months of preparation, the Fall Diversity Weekend in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, was finally here. Unlike previous great weekends I’d attended, I volunteered to be an event Host for two events on Saturday morning. I was to help with the “Ti-Time” (Transgender/Intersex educational and social gathering), and coordinate the Diversity Bikers Show n' Shine and Charity Poker Run. So, sleeping in on Saturday was out!  

    At 8:30 AM, Friday morning, I loaded up my purple motorcycle for a brisk 45 minute ride from Bentonville to Eureka Springs. I cruised Eureka, on the bike, especially since it had warmed up a bit. Then swung by Caribe’s to help out with the set up for the usual ‘Princess’ Welcome Mixer held on Friday nights of Diversity Weekends..
Got back to the Rodeway Inn just in time to freshen up for dinner at Café Soleil with Faith, Donna, their Son, and several new friends. Just before leaving, I met some of the bikers from the ‘Knucklehead’ group who came from Wichita, Kansas. After dinner, with barely enough time to spare, I rode my bike to Caribe for the ‘Princess’ Welcome Mixer and had a great time meeting old friends and new ones. Of course, I spent most of my time talking with people about the Diversity Bikers and “TI” Time events, while selling some patches, pins, and Teddy Bears. I also got to meet two of the fabulous comedians performing that weekend, Sabrina Matthews and Bobaloo!
On Saturday, I got up early. After a great time at ‘Ti-Time’ event, I left to try to get quickly organized for the Show n' Shine and Charity Poker Run. If it wasn't for a lot of great volunteers and forgiving participants, I would have never kept my sanity.

    We had some wonderful bikers show up for the Diversity Bikers Show n' Shine and Charity Poker Run. Most of the bikes were dressed in Pride Colors and themes. One couple dressed as Dorothy and a monkey from the Wizard of Oz. Every biker brought stuffed animals for donation to the children of deployed serve members. Spectators show up to vote on the bikes. After all the voting was done, it was time to mount up and go on the Poker Run. Of course, one bike had trouble starting. Yep, you guessed it, mine! We got it started and finally hit the road.

    It was a great ride through town! People waved and yelled as we passed through. Felt like a mini-Pride Parade with just us bikers. We even passed a Holy Union before we reached our first stop at the old Train Station. Then a leisurely ride over the historic Beaver Bridge, with our second stop soon after. Not waiting long, we made our way to Riverview Market. We took a break, taking in the view and talking about the ride. Everyone was having a great time.

    Time to leave for our last leg to Caribe to get our final cards, where we were met by friends and all the great volunteers. Awards were presented to the “Best Dressed” and 'Best Pride Dressed” Bike winners, plus tickets to the comedy show starring Ant and Sabrina Matthews. Next we determined the winning hand for the Poker Run. The winner had a full house and graciously donated their winnings back to the children of deployed service members, stating, “It is a great cause.” As it ended, I wanted to cry, because we had a great time, for a great cause, with a lot of great people.
Back to the hotel to get ready for the comedy show. Now I had to decide what to wear. Hmmm, silver sequined or black rainbow sparkled dress? I chose the rainbow sparkled. I met up with the Kansas ‘Knucklehads’ group for dinner. It was fun to see the look of shock on their faces seeing me in such a ‘femme’ dress, after I had been dressed as a biker chic until then.

    `The Auditorium, or the “Aud” as it is called locally, was packed. I had seen Sabrina Matthews on TV before, but it was much more fun to see her in person. My sides were hurting from laughing so hard. During the intermission, I got to meet her again. Yes, she had that look of surprise too. “YOU are wearing a dress? Well, you look great.” The Kansas group was dying to have their picture taken with Sabrina, so I played photographer.

    When Ant came on stage wearing a rhinestone flight suit, I didn't know what we were in for – a whole lot more pain from laughing! He was only suppose to do 45 minutes, but was on stage for almost and hour and a half. He chatted with the audience and said some of their stories made “Hollywood stories seem normal”!

    Next, I rode with some of the Kansas group to Caribe for the GO-GO Contest at the Golden Oldies Dance & Cabaret. Bobaloo MC’d the contest. He was fun and he looks like a big, cuddly Teddy Bear. Ray, a friend of mine, had been invited to be a guest singer and belted out “Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy”. DJ Carrie played a lot of great music, and everyone was dancing all night long.

    In the morning, I got a chance to say goodbyes to the great group from Kansas and my friends, Donna and Faith. All of them said they were coming back next Spring Diversity Weekend. When I got home I was so worn out, I had to take a nap. As I drifted off, I was already planning for next Spring. See you there!