If you’re looking for great food, great entertainment, great beer or just a great time, the Blues, Brews and BBQ fest is your destination the weekend of June 28th – 29th! This new event (2013 marks its second year) is sure to become a local tradition. The festivities are centered at Memphis on Main, located at 55 East Main Street in downtown Champaign, although many other restaurants, pubs and area businesses get in on the fun!
Food
Photo via Blues, Brews and BBQ Festival
As the name suggests, barbeque is the central staple of the festival, but there are plenty of vendors on hand to satisfy every craving! King Biscuit BBQ, Mamma D’s Smokehouse and Smoky’s House BBQ are just a few of the award-winning barbeque vendors which will be on hand for the festival, serving up chops, ribs, sandwiches and virtually anything that can be smoked and slow-cooked!
If you’re in the mood for something different, you can check out Rajun Cajun for some authentic Louisiana-style treats. For those with a sweet tooth, Ice Cream and More, Marble Slab Creamery and several other ice cream vendors will be serving up frosty, creamy desserts. That’s So Corny is definitely worth a stop as well, offering fresh-roasted sweet corn sourced from local farmers for a true taste of Illinois!
Brews
In addition to great food, grew brews can be found at this festival, with many local bars offering up their best. At Memphis on Main, you can bring in a festival mug for incredible drink specials!
Blues
A blues festival wouldn’t be a blues festival without amazing music, and this year’s event is sure to deliver. A few names on the lineup include Walter Trout, Popa Chubby, Eric Sardinas, Shane Dwight, Hadden Sayers, the Laurie Morvan Band, the Kelly Ritchey Band, Shirley Johnson and Andrew “Jr. Boy” Jones.
These are only a few of the acts you’ll get to enjoy at this year’s festival, making the Blues, Brews and BBQ Fest a must-see for blues fans of all ages!
Bring the Family
The festival is a great family destination. Your little ones will love the special Kids and Family Area, where they’ll get to enjoy free giant inflatable slides, a ‘Future Stars’ blues stage, petting zoo, face painting, a mechanical bull, an Orpheum Childrens’ Museum exhibit and water rides. They’ll also love meeting Louie D. Gator himself, the lovable alligator mascot of Louie’s Dixie Kitchen, a local restaurant specializing in authentic Cajun and Creole dishes!
Bike Show
Motorcycle enthusiasts of all ages simply can’t miss the DinoSores Motorcycle Club Bike Show on the 28th, with amazing bikes and tons of cash prizes!
Come Join the Fun!
Packing an incredible amount of food and entertainment into just two days, the Blues, Brews and BBQ Festival is a can’t-miss for Champaign-area residents. It’s a great time for young and old alike, so pack up the family and get ready for a great time!
Photo via Blues, Brews and BBQ Festival