News

Blue Ridge BBQ Festival opens Friday

By Bill Moss, Published: June 8, 2015

The Blue Ridge BBQ & Music Festival this weekend showcases the official North Carolina barbecue championship, music on the Main Stage and Riverside Stage, a classic car show on Saturday, carnival rides, the Blue Ridge Craft Fair and of course barbecue with the trimmings.

The event is 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday  at Harmon Field in Tryon.

The Main Stage is in the center of all the Festival’s activities, anchoring the north end of the big oval track at Harmon Field. Festivalgoers gather throughout the day on blankets in the sun or in tents.
The smaller Riverside Stage alongside the Pacolet River offers a cozier and cooler viewing spot.
Admission is free from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday and after that $8. Active duty military men and women are admitted free.
Sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society, the festival awards prizes ranging from $2,500 to $50 in the categories of chicken, pork ribs, pork and beef brisket. Winners will be announced Saturday around 4:30 p.m. at the Judges Pavilion. This year’s festival will attract 80 cook teams from across North Carolina and as far away as California.
Friday headliners include the Cajun band Feufollet at 5 p.m. , Big Daddy Love at 7 and Acoustic Syndicate at 9 p.m. Saturday acts include the Carburetors at 3:15, Fruition at 5, Feufollet at 7 and Mingo Fishtrap at 9.
Also appearing are the Loaded Toad, Buncombe Turnpike, Nobody’s Fault, Pretty Little Goat, Project X and other local favorites.