Eat, drink, and enjoy live blues music at Central Park on Saturday, November 18 from 12-6pm!

The Sylacauga Parks and Recreation is hosting our very first BBQ and Blues Festival on November 18, 2023, in Central Park. This event is sponsored by Coosa Valley Medical Center, First Bank of Alabama, ACE Hardware, and Albia Steers State Farm. The BBQ & Blues Festival will feature a BBQ competition between local individuals, businesses, and organizations, as well as live music performed by various members of the Magic City Blues Society. BBQ competitors will set up their tents on Friday, November 17, cook overnight, and be ready for the community and a select panel of judges to taste their BBQ throughout the afternoon on November 18.

Businesses, organizations, and local individuals will compete in up to five categories: Pork Shoulder, Chicken, and Ribs (judged by a select panel of judges) and Tailgate Specialty and Most Creative Cooking Booth (judged by People’s Choice). While the competition is going on, patrons can listen to the music of blues artists Sonz of Thunder, Little Lee and the Midnight Blues Band, and Clarence Davis & Jock Webb, and taste the competitors Tailgate Specialty. Patrons and competitors can also enjoy refreshments from Fermenter’s Market beer truck.

Upon arrival, patrons will check-in under the pavilion and receive their bracelets (your admission ticket). You'll also receive tickets in two colors: one for voting for Most Creative Cooking Booth and one for voting for Best Tailgate Specialty. Simply visit each tent to try the tailgate menu item being served and view the tent decorations. Once you have chosen your favorites in each category, use the color-coordinated ticket to submit your vote into a bucket/jar at the tent of your choice!