It takes many hours from a large group of volunteers to keep the wheels of Bikefest going each year.

While those attending Bikefest may think of the volunteers they see each year working during the festival, they fail to realize the hundreds of hours spent months in advance, preparing for the event.

Two of the newest volunteers to what they call “The Bikefest Family” are Brenda and Gene Hughes of Arlington, Ga. The couple first became involved with Bikefest the summer of 2009.

Gene Hughes and his brother, James “P-Wee” Hughes, had ventured out to the new grounds during the summer of 2009 to see what it was like. There they met volunteers who were building the stage and discovered welders were needed to secure the handrails.

That is what the Hughes brothers do, and they soon volunteered their services.

Brenda began accompanying her husband and soon found there were many places she also could help out. During Bikefest she worked in the cook trailer, took tickets and generally filled in as needed.

The couple has spent most of their weekends this summer camping at the site while they work on various projects to enhance the grounds for Bikefest 2010.

“We have done everything from helping raise rafters on a building to laying carpet in the cook trailers,” said Brenda.

“It has become a social event. Everyone we have met is friendly and helpful. We call it our Bikefest Family,” she explains. Brenda said it is nothing for the wives to prepare food to feed as many as 20 volunteers at a time.

Both Brenda and Gene Hughes ride Hondas and have recently joined the Deep South Riders as a result of getting involved with Bikefest.

Gene is an independent contractor who is a welder and mechanic, while his wife has an in-home day care business in Arlington.

The Hughes are willing workers and enjoy spending time with their new Bikefest friends.

On one recent summer evening she was there in the heat and the gnats preparing to operate a huge mower.

There is a lot of grass to be mowed at the grounds—just one more thing to be done before Bikefest 2010 begins.