Bourbon BBQ Festival Returns

After a one-year hiatus, the Bourbon Economic Development Group is bringing back barbecue.

The fifth annual Bourbon BBQ Festival is scheduled to return Saturday at Festival Park.

The BED Group canceled last year’s event and regrouped to bring in eight teams within a 100-mile radius.

Competitors will vie for nearly $4,000 in prize money, cooking up chicken, ribs and pork steaks.

More than 10 vendors will be set up, and the Town Tavern will set up a beer garden behind Via’s Pizza.

Alcoholic beverages must remain within the confines of the beer garden.

The Brent Sterling Band will take the stage to provide music from 11 a.m to 2 p.m.

Cathy Schoonveld is scheduled to perform from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Pulled pork sandwiches, quarter pound hot dogs, beans and slaw will be available from purchase courtesy of Josh Hess.

Other food items, crafts and gifts will be available from vendors.

Competitors will begin setting up at 6 a.m. and pork steaks will be turned into the judges at noon.

Ribs must be turned in by 12:30 p.m. and chicken by 1 p.m.

Judges for this year’s event include Rep. Ron Copeland, Johnathon Tripp of PuroClean, Laura Wallace of Cuba Bakery and Deli, Jen Massie-Faddler of Life House Youth Center, Erik Lowes of Lowes’ Landscaping and Supply, Sheriff Darin Layman and Billy Miller of Maries County Bank.