With a sprinkle of outdoor music, a dab of brews and the best barbecue in the city, the Blues, Brews and BBQ Festival is making its third year mark in the streets of Champaign, Illinois to provide a free, lively event for families and city-goers looking for a different way to enjoy Illinois’s heat. Entertainers and 13 award winning BBQ restaurants will be present, but for those looking for a clear directory to the goods, here’s a list to the meat and the beats.
Nothing says outdoor fun like live music pumping through speakers while you laugh and sip a beer or two with friends. With the Main Stage presented by Coors Light, U.S. 105.9 & CIB Bank and the FE Moran Security Solutions/Fox Champaign News at 9 Future Stars Stage, that, luckily, won’t be a problem. On both Friday and Saturday, live musical acts will be adorning the stage from the opening of the festival to its midnight closing.
This Friday musical acts will range from Sena Ehrhardt, described on her personal site as one of the “freshest and most dynamic young voices” who’s been invited to open up for acts like B.B. King and ZZ Top, to Adrianna Marie, the 2014 Blues Music Award Nominee for “New Artist Debut.”
Joanna Connor Band
Performing on the Main Stage Saturday night are upcoming artists such as the Joanna Connor Band with lead singer Joanna Connor, a lover of Chicago Blues music who was voted runner up to the “best blues artist” in the Chicagoland area, Buddy Guy and Laura Rain, a performer known for her “retro, modern soul” according to the artists’ website.
Searching for great food will not be a problem this weekend. Roks Korean BBQ Tacos, Pauly’s BBQ and Holy Smoke Barbecue are only three of the thirteen vendors that will be offering the finest taste in BBQ that they can offer.
If meat grilled and dipped in sauce sounds anything from appetizing, pizza, provided by Dragon Fire Pizza, fried brownies, popcorn and mozzarella cheese sticks offered by the hands of Snack Wagon, and fresh ice cream from Ice Cream & More will also be available for those who prefer their food sweet and salty.
When the grub and tunes get tiring, this festival will also offer the Dinosores Motorcycle Club Bike Show. Beginning at 4:30 PM on Saturday, cash prizes will be awarded to participants in the event!
To keep guests entertained no matter the hobby, merchandise will be also be sold during the free event and arts and crafts are available!
The Blues, Brews and BBQ Festival will be in the downtown Champaign area June 26 and June 27 from 4PM to midnight. Get in for free while the fun lasts.