Barbecue and Barrels Festival features 25 vendors and live music this weekend

The Owensboro Board of Commissioners provided an exciting update on the upcoming Barbecue and Barrels event, set to kick off this Friday at noon and run through Saturday night. This annual celebration, which coincides with Mother's Day, promises to be a feast for the senses, featuring a diverse lineup of barbecue vendors and live entertainment.

This year, the barbecue board has introduced a "barbecue blueprint," showcasing 24 barbecue vendors alongside four church cooking teams. Attendees can explore the signature dishes from each vendor through a QR code available on social media, enhancing the culinary experience.

In addition to the mouthwatering barbecue, the event will feature over 25 handcrafted arts and crafts vendors along Second Street, providing a vibrant marketplace atmosphere. The Bourbon Experience, a ticketed portion of the event, will also return, offering classes and tastings inside the convention center. While VIP tickets are sold out, general admission tickets are still available for those looking to indulge in this unique experience.

To support local parishes and the event's organizing body, a raffle has been introduced, with ticket sales already underway. Attendees can purchase tickets online or on-site, with the potential to win significant prizes.

Live music will be a highlight of the weekend, with performances scheduled on the courthouse lawn. Friday night will feature a Journey tribute band, Resurrection, while Saturday night will showcase country artists Drew Baldridge and Clay Walker. Both concerts are free, encouraging community members to bring their lawn chairs and enjoy the shows.

As the city gears up for this beloved event, residents can look forward to a weekend filled with delicious food, local crafts, and lively entertainment, reinforcing Owensboro's commitment to community engagement and celebration.